MOVING TO ISRAEL
THINGS TO CONSIDER | STORAGE | F.A.Q. |
IMPORTING A CAR | MARINE INSURANCE | CUSTOMS TAXES |
DOCUMENTS | RESTRICTIONS | PET POLICY |
First you must understand that Israel classifies immigrants and charges taxes accordingly. There are 4 classes:
- Citizens - this refers to returning citizens who have been out of the country for less than 2 years.
- New Immigrants - Israel refers to this class as "Olim Chadashim" (new immigrant). If you are making Aliyah or have never lived in Israel before, then you fall in this class.
- Returning Resident - If you are a "Toshav Chozer" (returning resident) and have been out of the country for more than two years. This status will not apply to you if have spent four months in Israel of any of the years you have been away.
- Mixed Family - If one spouse is an "Oleh Chadash" and the is a "Toshav Chozer" you are referred to as a "Mishpachat Olim" - a family with new immigrant status.
CUSTOMS TAX ON SHIPMENTS (Does not refer to what you bring on the airplane)
Citizens | New Immigrant | Returning Resident | |
2 Tax free shipments on household goods | Tax | √ | |
3 Tax free shipments on household goods | Tax | √ | |
2 Computers | Tax | No Tax | No Tax |
2 TVs | Tax | No tax | No tax |
Charcoal BBQ | Tax | Tax | Tax |
Kitchen items (dishes, utensils, misc.) | Tax | No tax | No tax |
Furniture | Tax | No tax | No tax |
Outdoor furniture | Tax | Tax | Tax |
Fax Machine | Tax | Tax | Tax |
Household goods (books, linens, pictures etc.) | Tax | No tax | No tax |
2 Cell phones | Tax | No tax | No tax |
Outdoor swing | Tax | Tax | Tax |
1 Washing Machine | Tax | No tax | No tax |
1 Dryer | Tax | No tax | No tax |
Sports Equipment | Tax | Tax | Tax |
1 Refrigetator | Tax | No tax | No tax |
1 Oven | Tax | No tax | No tax |
1 Microwave | Tax | No tax | No tax |
Ping pong table | Tax | Tax | Tax |
Pool table | Tax | Tax | Tax |
AC's and heaters relative to new home | Tax | No tax | No tax |
1 Bicycle per person | Tax | No tax | No tax |
Car | Tax | Reduction | Reduction |
Please note:
- The chart above refers to shipments that you send to Israel. It does not refer to items you bring on the airplane with you.
- There are many regulations concerning the import of a car. Please refer to this page.
- The spouses in a Mishpachat Olim will have different immigration benefits such as education.
- If you are shipping via sea, and the shipment is larger than a full container, it will count as two shipments, unless both shipments come on the same ship and are cleared through Customs at the same time.
- Value-added-tax (17%) must be paid on all services rendered in Israel. This does not refer to items in the chart above but immigrants will have to pay VAT on customs clearing, delivery, installation, service contract, and the commissions of a personal import agent.