Israel

Specific Information

New immigrants: Entitled to 3 tax-free importations of household goods and personal effects within 3 years of arrival date (as marked in the Teudat Oleh). The import of a car and professional tools does not count toward this limit. Only one of each type of electrical appliance is permitted, with an exception for 2 computers and 2 televisions per family. Only items for personal use are permitted. No items brought for other people are allowed. The consignee can immigrate from country A and import from country B.

Returning Israeli citizens (2+ years abroad): May import household goods and personal effects tax-free once "returning resident" status is confirmed by Israeli Customs. During the 2 years abroad, the individual must not have spent more than 4 months (120 days) in Israel in each year of absence. Goods must arrive at the port of entry within 9 months of the date of arrival. One of each household appliance permitted, plus 2 computers and 2 televisions per family. Alcohol, food, and communication equipment (phones, fax machines) are NOT exempt from duties even with returning resident status.

Israeli citizens (under 2 years abroad): Do not qualify for tax exemption. The entire shipment will be taxed according to the Israeli customs tariff (customs duties plus VAT plus sales tax). Exception: if the individual did a formal export when leaving Israel through a certified international mover or freight forwarder, and the original export documents are in that company's archives, items matching the original export list can be imported tax-free as a "returning import." The original customs stamp on the returning import papers is required (not a copy).

Foreign workers (B-1): Unlike most countries, a work permit/visa in Israel does not entitle the holder to duty-free import. The employer must provide a bank guarantee in the amount of duties levied by Israeli Customs. This guarantee must be renewed every 12 months and can only be revoked when the goods are exported out of Israel. The guarantee must be adjusted to the Israeli Consumer Price Index. Once the visa holder departs, goods must be re-exported. The owner cannot sell goods with value (furniture, appliances) in Israel.

Tourists (B-2): No duty-free rights. All goods are subject to full customs duties.

Diplomats: Tax exemption covers Israeli customs duties and taxes only, not port-related charges (NVOCC handling, cargo terminal charges, wharfage fees).

Professional tools: New immigrants and returning residents may import professional tools valued up to USD 36,000 under a bank guarantee (in lieu of paying taxes). Within 6 months, proof of opening a business using the equipment must be presented to Customs, who will then release the guarantee.

Inheritance: No special privileges. Full taxes and duties apply. Requires inheritance papers issued by an Israeli court.

Valued inventory: Must include values of all items, make, serial number, appliance manufacturer name, old/new status, and fabric sizes. The destination agent prepares the customs-format declaration in Hebrew.

Duties & Taxes

Carpets (new immigrants): Permitted duty-free up to 25% of the floor area of the flat, or 75% if wall-to-wall carpeting.

Prohibited & Restricted Items

Importing a Used Personal Vehicle

Required Documents

• Proof of registration in the owner's name
• Original bill of lading (OBL)
• Copy of vehicle title (from country of origin)
• Import permit from the Israeli Ministry of Transportation (must be obtained BEFORE loading the vehicle)
• Proof of value (e.g., SWIFT copy if car was purchased specifically for shipping)
• Israeli driver's licence
• Insurance documents
• Purchase invoice
• Carfax report (for vehicles from the US or Canada)
• COC/Certificate of Conformity (for vehicles from Europe)

Specific Information

Only diplomats can import vehicles duty-free. All other categories pay significant duties and taxes.

New immigrants: Pay approximately 77% of the vehicle value plus shipping cost. Only one car per person. Car must arrive at the port of entry within 3 years of consignee's arrival date. The FIDI guide (2018) uses this ~77% figure. The IAM guide (2017) provides a more detailed breakdown: up to 1,750cc = 46.25%, over 1,750cc = 75.50%. These are specifically for new immigrants.

Returning Israeli citizens: With EUR-1 or certificate of origin, duties are approximately 128.15% of CIF value. Without those documents, duties are approximately 144.12% of CIF value.

Import permit: Required from the Ministry of Transportation before shipping. If a vehicle arrives without a permit, penalties may be levied by Customs on behalf of the Ministry. The shipper should check with the destination agent by providing vehicle registration details before committing to ship.

Standards compliance: All vehicles must comply with the Israeli Institute of Standards.

Right-hand drive prohibited: Vehicles from the UK, Australia, or other right-hand drive countries cannot be imported into Israel.

Container stripping: Any vehicle loaded into a container (with or without personal effects) is subject to mandatory de-vanning from the container at port by port personnel.

Vehicle import is potentially complicated and should always be coordinated with the destination agent before shipping. Age restrictions and other requirements may apply.

Pets

• ISO 11784/11785 compliant microchip documentation
• Rabies vaccination certificate (administered at least 30 days before arrival for primary vaccination; within 5 days of arrival for pets from rabies-free countries)
• Rabies titer (serology) test results from an approved laboratory (not required from rabies-free countries)
• International export health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian, endorsed by the government veterinary authority (within 10 days of entry)
• Import licence (required for unaccompanied pets, more than 2 pets per person, pets owned less than 90 days, dangerous breeds, or pets not meeting all requirements)
• Declaration of possession (for accompanied pets: owner must declare pet has been in their possession for more than 90 days)

Quarantine: No quarantine if all requirements are met. Non-compliant pets face quarantine (if available), return to origin, or euthanasia at the importer's expense.

Microchip: A 15-digit ISO 11784/11785 compliant microchip is required. All documents must reflect the microchip number.

Rabies vaccination: Required for all cats and dogs. Primary vaccination must be administered at least 30 days before entry. Exception: pets from Israel's designated rabies-free countries (Australia, New Zealand, Sweden, Cyprus, Singapore, Japan, United Kingdom, Ireland) that were born in or have resided in that country for at least 1 year must be vaccinated for rabies within 5 days of import (i.e., vaccination shortly before or after arrival is acceptable).

Rabies titer test: Required for all pets EXCEPT those from the designated rabies-free countries listed above. Must be administered no sooner than 30 days after rabies vaccination. Blood sample must be processed at an approved laboratory. Results must show antibody level of at least 0.5 IU/ml. The test is valid as long as rabies vaccinations are kept continuously current.

Minimum age: Puppies and kittens from rabies-free countries can enter at 3 months of age (unvaccinated, but must be vaccinated shortly after arrival). From all other countries, minimum age is effectively approximately 4 months (3 months for vaccination + 30 days wait for titer test).

Import licence exemption: Accompanied pets (travelling on the same flight as the owner) do not need an import licence if: 2 or fewer pets per person, owned for more than 90 days, meet all health requirements, are not classified as dangerous breeds, and the transport is not for change of ownership. All other scenarios require an import licence, and the pet must enter as air cargo under an air waybill.

Dangerous/restricted breeds: The following breeds and their crosses require advance permission from the Director of Veterinary Services and Animal Health: American Staff Bull Terrier (Amstaff), Staff Bull Terrier (English Staff), and Pit Bull Terrier. These can only be imported if the owner is over 18, the dog is spayed/neutered, and has resided with the owner for at least 18 months. An import licence is required. A muzzle must be worn in public at all times. Additional requirements apply for Mini Bullies and American Bulldogs.

Entry points: Pets may enter Israel through Ben Gurion Airport, Haifa Seaport, Ashdod Seaport, or Eilat Seaport. Advance notice to customs is required so a veterinary inspector can be present. Pets imported under an import licence must arrive as air cargo at Ben Gurion Airport, with pre-notification at least 2 working days in advance.

Israel is on the CDC high-risk rabies country list. This is relevant for U.S.-bound return moves: dogs entering the U.S. from Israel are subject to enhanced CDC import requirements.

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