Knowledge Base
Frequently asked questions.
Answers to the most important questions in the import process, so you can start on the right foot.
Any person or company, subject to meeting the relevant legal, licensing and standards requirements. Commercial import usually requires a licensed dealer (osek murshe) or a limited company.
No. Some products are free to import and some require regulatory approval (the Standards Institution, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Economy, the Ministry of Communications and others).
An official approval that allows a specific product into Israel when it is subject to supervision. The license is issued by the competent authority for the product (for example, the Ministry of Transport for car parts).
It makes sure products meet mandatory Israeli standards for safety and quality. The standards process may include a document review only or a physical lab test of the product.
In most cases, yes: customs duty (depending on the product classification), VAT (18%) and sometimes purchase tax – all depending on the type of product and the value of the shipment.
Personal import is for private use, in limited quantities and up to a certain value cap. Commercial import is for sale, distribution or business use and requires full regulatory compliance.
The process in which customs checks documents, payments and approvals before the goods enter the Israeli market. It is usually carried out through a customs broker.
The basic documents are the Commercial Invoice, the Bill of Lading and the Packing List. Standards approvals, a certificate of origin and specific licenses are sometimes required as well.
It varies a lot. The shipping itself can take from days (air) to months (sea). Clearance and regulation depend on the complexity of the product and can range from one day to several weeks.
Yes, absolutely. A customs broker handles the bureaucracy, classifies the goods correctly for tax purposes and significantly reduces mistakes and delays that can cost a lot of money.