🇮🇱 Israel · Import & Export
Customs procedures, duties, de minimis thresholds, EORI/registration, and restricted goods.
Quick answer
Israeli trade clears through the Tax Authority's Customs using an electronic single window. Importers open a customs file, classify goods by HS code, and pay import duty (often zero under Israel's US and EU free-trade agreements) plus 17% VAT and, on some goods, purchase tax. Many products need Standards Institution (SII) approval.
Customs are administered by the Israel Tax Authority (Customs Directorate). Israel has free-trade agreements with major partners, including the EU and the United States.
- Customs declarations are processed by the Israel Tax Authority.
- Free-trade agreements give preferential access to the EU, US and others.
- Duties and VAT are assessed on customs value and classification.
Step-by-step
- 1
Open a customs file
Set up your business as an importer/exporter and open a customs file with the Tax Authority to clear goods.
- 2
Classify goods and check duty
Classify goods by HS code; import duty is often zero under Israel’s free-trade agreements (including with the US and EU) with proof of origin.
- 3
Check standards (SII)
Check whether products must meet Standards Institution of Israel (SII) requirements or need import licences.
- 4
Handle duty, VAT and purchase tax
Pay any import duty, 17% VAT and, on certain goods (e.g. vehicles, electronics), purchase tax at clearance.
- 5
Declare and clear
Lodge the customs declaration and documents (invoice, packing list, bill of lading, C/O) electronically, usually via a customs agent.
- 6
Resolve disputes
Use the Customs objection and appeal process for classification, valuation or origin disputes.
Checklist
- Customs file (importer/exporter)
- HS classification + FTA origin (duty often 0)
- SII standards / import licences
- Import duty + 17% VAT + purchase tax (some goods)
- Electronic customs declaration
- Invoice, packing list, B/L, C/O
- Customs agent (optional)
- Objection / appeal route
Official authorities
- Israel Tax Authority — Customs (gov.il)
Customs and trade.
Frequently asked questions
Do I pay import duty in Israel?
Often not — Israel has free-trade agreements with the US, EU and others, so many goods enter duty-free with proof of origin (VAT still applies).
What is the SII?
The Standards Institution of Israel, whose approval many regulated products need before they can be imported and sold.
What VAT applies on imports?
VAT of 17% applies to imported goods, plus purchase tax on certain items such as vehicles and some electronics.
Official-information aggregation, not legal advice. Always verify on the authority's own site.