Moving to Israel, Shipping household goods to Israel

This information is prepared by IntlMOVE for IntlMOVE’s customers moving to Israel and Shipping Household Goods or Personal Effects from USA to Israel.

If you are moving to Israel and plan to ship your household goods and  personal effects, there are customs regulations in Israel you need to consider .
Below are Israel’s rules and regulations regarding the importation of used household goods and personal belongings

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR MOVING TO ISRAEL AND SHIPPING HOUSEHOLD GOODS TO ISRAEL

• All Passports (old and new) for all citizenships, for customer, spouse and all dependent children
• Foreign worker must have a B-1 Visa stamped in Passport and Third Party Guarantee from his employer
• Religious personnel must have an A-3 Visa stamped in Passport and Third Party Guarantee
• Returning Israeli student must have stamped Passport by Customs authorities
• Residence Visa
• Customs Bond
• Proof of Employment
• Insurance Certificate and breakdown
• Certificate of Residence – legally stamped (lease or proof of ownership for a minimum of one year — if furnished, should specify which items supplied, as duplicate items imported are not duty-free)
• Letter authorizing destination agent to clear the household goods shipment
• Inventory (in Hebrew) showing values of all household goods and personal belongings items, giving make, serial number and appliance manufacturer’s name, whether old or new, and sizes for all fabric items (rugs, drapes, wallpaper, etc.)
  • Must itemize dinnerware and cutlery
  • Invoices for new household goods and personal belongings items
• New Immigrant Booklet (Teudat Oleh) for immigrants
• Israeli identity card (for singles), divorce papers (for divorced persons), death certificate (for widows/widowers), and similar personal identity documents, as applicable
• Declaration and Power of Attorney for customs to be prepared and signed at the destination agents office

CUSTOMS REGULATIONS FOR MOVING TO ISRAEL AND SHIPPING HOUSEHOLD GOODS TO ISRAEL

• CUSTOMER MUST BE IN COUNTRY AT TIME OF CUSTOMS CLEARANCE OF HOUSEHOLD GOODS
• Regulations vary according to customer’s immigration status — each customer must contact the Consulate for further details
• New immigrants or temporary residents may be allowed three duty-free household goods shipments within three years (shipment of auto and professional tools is not included in these three shipments)
• Returning Israelis are allowed one duty-free household goods and personal belongings shipment
• New immigrants and temporary residents must have resided a minimum of one year in the last country of residence
• Household goods and personal effects for Returning Israelis must arrive within nine months of customer
• All household goods and personal effects must be owned by the customer
• Inheritance
  • Original will
  • Testament showing receipient as beneficiary
  • Death certificate
  • Packing list
  • Reduced taxes to be paid
  • Customs inspection to be performed

DUTIABLE AND RESTRICTED HOUSEHOLD GOODS AND PERSONAL EFFECTS ITEMS

• Only one of each electrical/electronic appliances are duty-free
  • Original invoices required
  • Must state make, model and serial number
• New Household Goods and personal belongings items (invoice required)
• Alcohol and tobacco products
• Carpets, curtains, linoleum, wallpaper, fabrics (state how many meters and price)
• Tools and gifts
• Musical instruments
• Camping and sports equipment
• Food items: allowed 15 kgs. per person, the balance is subject to Customs duties
• Cordless telephones and facsimile machines are dutiable and a special permit from the Ministry of Telecommunications is required. Recommend checking in advance whether model in question is permissible.
• Computer, answering machine, fax machine, safety car seat, car radio, windsurfer, electric powered lawn mower, building accessories, compact disc and turntable (only if both are imported)

PROHIBITED ITEMS

• Firearms, weapons, ammunition, tear gas, explosives and dangerous chemicals – (NOTE: Small arm caliber’s can be imported but require special permission from the Israeli Police and Ministry of Interiors.
• Large quantities of any items are not permitted
• Narcotics, drugs and dangerous chemicals
• Seed, live plants and saplings
• Pornographic material
• Fresh meat
• ALL PRINTED MATTER, BOOKS, PICTURES, RECORDS, FILMS, TAPES, SLIDES, MOVIES, VIDEOS, COMPACT DISCS, COMPUTER SOFTWARE AND DISKETTES, ETC. ARE SUBJECT TO CENSORSHIP AND CONFISCATION (MUST BE PACKED SEPARATELY FOR EASY ACCESS AND CLEARLY MARKED ON THE INVENTORY).

MOTOR VEHICLES

• CERTAIN AUTOS FORBIDDEN FROM ENTRY, CUSTOMERS MUST CONTACT CONSULATE FOR DETAILS
• Automobiles for returning Israelis are subject to full customs duties
• Automobiles for new immigrants are subject to reduced customs duties of 46 – 76%
• An auto not more than four years old may be imported with approval by the Israeli Standards Institute
• Right-hand drive automobiles are prohibited
• Documents required:
  • Passport
  • Teudat Oleh
  • Purchase Invoice or Registration in name of shipper
  • Keys
  • Insurance Certificate (valid in Israel)
  • Valid Israeli Driver’s License from country of origin and Israeli drivers license
  • Import License from the Ministry of Transport

PETS

• Health certificate
• Vaccination records

NOTE – Customs regulations in Israel are subject to change at any time. The proceeding information is a brief summary of customs regulations applicable to household goods shipments to Israel and is being provided for general guidance to assist our Agents and Customers. Since such regulations are subject to change without notice, IntlMove cannot be held liable for any costs, damage, delays, or other detrimental events resulting from non-compliance. Always double check with your local embassy or consulate.