Customs Information

Israel - Returning Citizen & New Immigrants

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED Israel

Israeli passport – for retuning Israeli residents.
Packing list in English without values
Israeli customs forms (MB130 Customs Value Declaration & MB165 Power of Attorney)
New immigration booklet “Teudat Oleh” for new Jewish Immigrants
Confirmed “returning resident” status.

CUSTOMS REGULATIONS

In general, Israeli citizens who have lived abroad for less than 2 years do not qualify for a tax exemption for the shipment.
- The shipment will be taxed by Israeli Customs based on its tariff (customs duties plus valued added tax (VAT) charged on the CIF value plus sales tax).
If the owner of the goods did a formal export when leaving Israel (e.g., via a certified international mover or freight forwarder) and the export documents are found in that company's archives, then all items on the export list matching the import list can be imported tax-free (Israelis living abroad for less than 2 years).
Israeli citizens who have lived abroad for more than 2 years (and didn’t stay in Israel for more than 4 cumulative months during each year) are considered a returning citizen.
Returning Israelis living abroad more than 2 years can import household goods and personal effects tax free once receiving the “returning Israeli.” Status on-line. These items, if imported, will be taxed by Israeli Customs according to Customs tariff.
Expiration of rights for returning Israeli residents: goods must arrive at port of entry not later than 9 months from the date of arrival and activation of rights.
New immigrants are entitled for 3 tax free importations of household goods and personal effects within 3 years of arrival. In order to utilize this privilege, the consignee must present a “Teudat Oleh”.
Religious individuals / A-3 visa holders must pay a bank guarantee / bank deposit, which will be released or paid back once leaving Israel and exporting the household goods.
Best to check inventory with importing agent before departure. For example, car seats should not be imported when there is no connection to a vehicle or mode of transportation.

List of Personal Effects

Bicycle	Refrigerator / Or Deep Freeze	Screen for Slides and Movies	Jewelry (Personal Items)
Dryer	Washing Machine	Film Projector	Lamps
Crockery / Kitchenware	Baking and Cooking oven	Food Processor	Ornaments
Bedding, Linen	3 sets of TVS – per family	Camera / Video	Knitting Machine
Musical Instruments	Hi-fi System & CD, Laser Disc	Toaster, Heater, Heating unit	Dishwasher
Piano / Organ	Vacuum Cleaner, Scanner	Binoculars	Microwave
Toiletries	Stroller	Baby Carriage	Fan / Ventilator
Fan, Iron	Personal Computer – 3 per family	Percolator	CD / Records (Up to 200 Units)
Sewing Machine	Mixer / Food Processor & accessories.	Toys	Shaving Machine
Pocket Calculator	Peculator / Coffee Maker	Decorative Items	Printer
3 PC or Laptop – per family	Toaster / Toaster-Oven	Video Tapes, Records	Film Projector Up To 16mm
Hair Dryer/Fan	Electrical Knife, electric razor	Indoor Furniture	Slide Projector
Bread Slicer	Tape-Cassettes (Not Exceeding 50 units)	Clock, Camera	Kitchenware & Cooking Utensils

MOTOR VEHICLES

Car importing is complicated and should be coordinated with a DA agent before shipping to confirm if it is possible to import.

In general, a Permit from the Israeli Ministry of Transportation must be obtained prior to loading vehicle for shipping.

If the vehicle arrives in Israel and the owner of the goods does not have a permit, penalties could be levied by Israeli Customs, on behalf of the Israel Ministry of Transportation.
All cars must comply with the Israeli Institute of Standards.
Full taxes and duties apply over the CIF value of the vehicle (i.e. value of vehicle + cost of shipping combined).
Right-hand drive vehicles (i.e. from the UK, Australia, etc.) are NOT permitted to be imported to Israel.
Any vehicle loaded into a container (with or without personal effects) is subject to stripping / de-vanning from the container at port, by port personnel.
Please contact an agent in Israel before importing.

PETS

The import license must be issued within 10 days of arrival by the Director of Veterinary Services, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, for pets not transported as part of accompanied baggage (limit of 2), restricted breeds and young puppies.
A copy of the veterinary health certificate and details of pet’s arrival must be forwarded to the Director of Veterinary Services at least 2 days prior to import.
For pets transported as accompanied baggage, the owner must provide a declaration that the pet has been in his or her possession for at least 90 days prior to import.
Healthy pets with accompanying documentation will not be quarantined.
Cats and dogs must be vaccinated against rabies within 1 year but no less than 30 days prior to arrival in Israel, following serological testing with titre level equal to or greater 0.5 IU/ml, done in approved lab.
Cats and dogs must be older than 4 months upon arrival, with the exception of pets imported from Great Britain, Japan and Cyprus (3 months old is permitted).
Cats and dogs must have an electronic chip in compliance with Israeli requirements.
Some breeds of dogs cannot be imported, check with agent for specific details. Restricted breeds cab be still imported under special conditions.

DUTIABLE/RESTRICTED ITEMS

Cigarettes (250) and tobacco products (250 g)
Inheritance papers (must be issued by the Israeli Court)
Alcohol (dutiable)
Communications equipment, including phones, fax machines, etc. (dutiable)

PROHIBITED ITEMS

Weapons and ammunitions
Dangerous chemicals
Explosives
Drugs
Drones
Electric bicycle / scooter / moped (of any kind)
Used and new motorcycle helmets
Dry Food (up to 15 kg) for personal use, with love value of up to $50
Wine / alcohol (over 20 bottles)
Biological commodity (seeds, plants, raw wood, etc.)
Cosmetics - small quantity for personal use is OK.