International convention and customs procedures of Israel

International Conventions

Member of the World Trade Organization (WTO)
Member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
Party to the Kyoto Protocol
Party to the Washington Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
Party to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal
Party to the Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer

International Economic Cooperation

Israel is a member of the following international economic organisations: IMF, OECD, Black Sea Economic Cooperation Zone (BSEC) (observer), ICC, WTO, among others. For the full list of economic and other international organisations in which participates Israel click here. International organisation membership of Israel is also outlined here.

Non Tariff Barriers

Most products can be imported freely in Israel, with the exception of certain agricultural products, which must comply to strict health rules, and respect kosher customs for food.

Documentation requirements to import these products are significant, notably for the invoice (which has to be provided in three copies). These requirements are defined by the Ministry of Health.

Finally, it is to be noted that imports from countries, which restrict or prohibit imports originating from Israel are subjected to special monitoring.

Customs Duties and Taxes on Imports

Customs duties are imposed on certain products imported into Israel. The rates of duties depend upon their classification according to the Harmonised System (HS) and their country of origin (some countries have concluded free-trade agreements with Israel).
Tariffs can be consulted here.

Customs Classification: Harmonised System (HS)
Import Procedures: The Israel Customs Administration employees are in charge of enforcing the terms of legality of import and export, preventing illegal activity (frauds, narcotics, money laundering and intellectual property violations), and supervising all import to and export from Israel, as well as commercial import to the Palestinian Authority.

The following documents are required to import goods into Israel: invoice, packing list, delivery order (a document noting the freight’s physical location at the port of import), import declaration, importer's custom declaration (a form that needs to be completed by the importer and is meant for indicating the relations between the importer and the supplier for the purpose of calculating the total value of the deal concluded between them including all auxiliary costs), certificate of origin, freight bills (according to the means of transport), import permit issued by the Ministry of Economy and Industry, certificate of the Standards Institution of Israel stating that the product complies with Israeli standards.

Information on detailed customs clearance procedure is available on the website of the Israel Customs Administration.
Importing Samples: For import, export and re-exports of trade samples the ATA book can be used. Together with the name of the forwarder/courier listed, Israeli authorities require the name of the final user of the goods (the consignee in Israel to whom the goods are delivered), if different from the holder.