Israel

ITEMS NOT ALLOWED

Firearms, explosives and dangerous chemicals.

CUSTOMS REGULATIONS

1. IMMIGRANT & TEMPORARY RESIDENT (A-1)

Documents required:

Declaration + power of attorney for customs to be prepared and signed at the d/s agent’s office.

Customs prescriptions

Lease for a flat for a minimum of 1 year.

Remarks

Car + professional tools not to be counted within the 3 shipments.
All personal and house hold goods allowed free – electrical appliances – one of each. Fax machine subject to duty, building supplies i.e. sinks, taps, tiles, wall to wall carpeting etc. proof of ownership on residence and size of residence – all subject to duty.

2. RETURNING ISRAELI

Documents required:

3. RETURNING STUDENT

Documents required:

Declaration + power of attorney for customs to be prepared and signed at the d/s agent’s office.

Customs prescriptions

Remarks

Air conditioner, piano organ, fax, carradio, carpets, BBQ, building supplies i.e. sinks, taps, tiles, wall to wallcarpeting etc. proof of ownership on residence and size of residence, dryer, lawn mower, steam vent, video camera, deep freezer, DVD, telephones – allsubject to duties. T.V. restricted to 29? only

4. VISA WORKING PERMIT FOREIGN WORKER (B-1)

Documents required:

Customs prescriptions

There are some specific conditions for B-1 visa holders (=bureaucracy of customs authorities and high duty fees in Israel).

When the packers come to pack your goods, you must make sure that they get a full and detailed list of every item you are bringing, especially any electronic equipment or appliances.

For each electronic item please inform the following:

Please itemize all furniture as well as makes and sizes of rugs.
Your company will have to put up a bank guarantee, covering the duty taxes for the above, until the items are re-exported from Israel, at the end of the assignment.
The customs agent in Israel must have this detailed information from you to be able to clear your goods from customs. NO DOUBLE ELECTRICAL ITEMS allowed tax free
– You may import duty free (covered by the bank guarantee) only one of each electrical item.
You may import more than one item, but the additional item is subject to full duty taxes – make sure you have in your possession all pertaining invoices, full details of the make, date of purchase, model number. Thus we can obtain for you a devaluated basis for the customs authorities.

VISA WORKING PERMIT FOREIGN WORKER (B-1) (Cont’)
LIQUOR

The duties for alcoholic beverages are as follows:

– Wine 160%
– Other 300%

In addition, it is impossible to c/clear a large amount of liquor through customs, and Ocean Co. will not be responsible for any delays or costs arising from the entire shipment held-up by customs, due to the presence of liquors in the shipment. (Up to 12 bottles preferably assorted)

EXPORTING UPON LEAVING ISRAEL

Please remember that whatever you bring into Israel will have to be re-exported out of Israel at the end of your assignment, otherwise the bond you paid will not be refunded.
Any item left in Israel is subject to customs duties.

ELECTRICAL ITEMS THROUGH THE AIRPORT

You may bring in electrical items up to the amount of US$ 200.-/person (no item should excess US$200).
Random inspections are being performed by Customs Authorities.
You should pass the green line when you have nothing to declare.
You should pass through the red line when you have anything to declare.

TIMING OF CLEARING YOUR GOODS FROM CUSTOMS

Please remember that your local agent is able to clear your goods from customs only after you have submitted application for the work permit, or with a B-1 visa stamped in your passport. Air / Surface not to arrive before shipper and settlement of b-1 issue.

IMPORT PERSONAL EFFECTS BY SEA OR AIR

A random physical customs inspection should be taken into consideration prior to customs Clearance.
We will need 4 working days for customs clearance and delivery, after vessel’s arrival and pending receipt of relevant documents including original bank guarantee.

VISA WORKING PERMIT FOREIGN WORKER (B-1) (Cont’)

IMPORTING VEHICLES

We can do a preliminary check to see whether the vehicle is listed in the customs book, in order to do so we need a copy of the car license and invoice of purchase. If it is listed, the following documentation needs to be presented at release.

It is possible to import a tax-exempt car into Israel for a 6 months period.
Car owner must be present during customs clearance.

Documents required:

Valid passport, original driving license, insurance policy, original car registration permit, letter from employer certifying that car owner is employed by him in Israel.
Upon 6-months-period expiry, car owner together with his employer, are entitled to apply for additional 6 months period extension.
In case the extension is approved, car owner is required to deposit a bank-guarantee at customs authorities, covering the full amount of car-taxes due in Israel.
Upon completion of one-year-stay in Israel, car owner has 3 options:

1. Exporting the car.
2. Temporary Export: The car and the owner must leave Israel for a period of 3 months. Then, return with the car and start the same tax-exempt procedure.
3. Pay full taxes due, thus entitled to sell the car in Israel – provided the car complies with the Israeli applicable standards and the car’s manufacture date does not exceed 4 years upon payment day. The customs authorities calculate the taxes based on the local price list and additions for accessories and extras such as special tires etc.

Remarks

Needs bank guarantee or bank valid for the period of stay in the country. All goods must be exported when B-1 visa expires.

Only one of each electrical appliance otherwise subject to duty

5. CLERGYMAN, MINISTER, PRIEST (A-3)

Documents required:

6. TOURISTS

Documents required:

Remarks

All subject to customs. No duty free rights.

7. DIPLOMAT’S REMOVALS

Documents required:

– Inventory list.
– Original Bill of Lading – should indicate Embassy\Consulate\UN Organization name as well as shippers name
– Power of Attorney for customs
– Letter from Chief signed by the Israeli Foreign Affairs must be issued for release of vehicle

The aforementioned documents, should be endorsed and stamped by the embassy\consulate\un organization, and thereafter, should be stamped by the Israeli Customs Authorities and returned to Ocean Co. Ltd.

Remarks

IMPORTANT:

FORMS:

Click Here to get a “Declaration of Personal Imports of Goods” Form.
Click Here to get a “Power of Attorney” Form.

Will I pay taxes and duties on some items:

Generally, a person who is making Aliyah or returning to Israel after being away from over 2 years, is allowed to bring a shipment of personal effects duty free.
there are some retrictions and yon need to verufy that these rights will be given to you by the local israeli consulate.

Improved Customs Rights for New Immigrants (OlimHadashim) and Returning residents (ToshavimHozerim)
The following items, which were not previously exempt from taxes, are now tax exempt (for Olim and ToshvimHozrim):

Changes in ToshvimHozrim Rights and Status
ToshavimHozerim who arrive in Israel on or after 1 October 2012, will no longer receive a discount for importing or buying a new car.

As of 1 October 2012, there will only be one status for ToshavimHozerim who returns after more than 2 years with rights similar to olimchadashim with the following differences:

A Full Guide on moving to Israel: SHIPPING TO ISRAEL
For more info about “ToshavHozer”: TOSHAV HOZER
For more info about “Aliyah”: ALIYAH – OLEH HADASH

Important:This information is intended for general guidance. Forward Van Lines Internationalcannot take responsibility for any errors or oversights or for any loss or damage that may occur from its use. It is advisable to contact the Israeli Office at http://embassies.gov.il/miami/Pages/default.aspx for more information prior to your shipping.