Before you book a container, find out which customs category you belong to. It decides what you can bring in tax-free, how many shipments you get, and how long you have. Getting it wrong is one of the most expensive mistakes people make when moving to Israel.
Step one: know your status
Israeli customs treats you according to your status on arrival. The three you are most likely to fall into are:
- Oleh Hadash (new immigrant). A Katin Chozer (returning minor) and an Ezrach Oleh have the same customs rights.
- Toshav Hozer (returning resident): an Israeli resident who lived abroad for two years or more and is returning permanently.
- Expat / work visa holder, with far more limited benefits.
If spouses have different statuses, the family gets the benefits of the spouse with the higher entitlement, and anything one spouse uses reduces what's left for both.
New immigrants: 3 shipments in 3 years
Olim can bring household goods and personal effects without customs in up to three shipments within three years of Aliyah. Shipments can come from any country.
What counts as household goods is broad: furniture, clothing, books, linens, kitchenware and personal effects, plus one of each household appliance or electronic device. Some items have family limits, including two computers, two TVs and five mobile phones.
The three-year clock can be extended in some cases, for example during army service, recognised university studies that begin within 18 months of Aliyah, or a stay abroad of six consecutive months in the first three years.
Returning residents: 9 months, 2 shipments
To qualify as a returning resident for customs, you need to have lived abroad for two years or more, with no more than four months in total in Israel each year, and be returning permanently. Returning students qualify after 18 months abroad if they studied full-time and return within six months of finishing.
- Household goods and personal effects are exempt, including items like garden furniture, home sports equipment and home-office gear.
- Goods must arrive within nine months of your return date.
- You get up to two shipments. A single box sent on its own uses one of them.
- If you used the benefit before, you must have lived in Israel for at least six years since then to use it again.
Expats and work-visa holders
Expats don't get the oleh household exemption. Personal effects for your own use are generally treated more leniently than new goods, but most items are subject to duties and VAT. Keep receipts and a clear inventory, and ask your employer whether it has any arrangement for relocated staff.
Five things to do before you ship
- Confirm your exact customs status in writing.
- Decide how many shipments you really need, and plan around the limit.
- Prepare a full packing list in English.
- Keep new purchases separate from used household goods.
- Check items that need a regulator's approval, such as gas grills, mobile phones and e-scooters.