Moving To Israel From Canada

Are you planning to move to Israel? Whether for personal, professional, or spiritual reasons, moving to Israel is an exciting prospect. Israel’s rich history, culture, and Mediterranean lifestyle make it a popular destination. 

For many, moving to Israel is a return to their ancestral homeland in the Middle East, driven by a deep cultural and religious connection to the Holy Land. With a thriving tech industry, as well as high-quality healthcare and education systems, life in Israeli cities, such as Tel Aviv, are appealing to professionals seeking dynamic career opportunities and families looking to lay down new roots.  

Here, we provide you with an overview of customs regulations for shipping to Israel, including duty-free allowances for household goods, required documentation, and item restrictions. We also offer step-by-step instructions for importing personal vehicles, including necessary customs clearance documents. Also, we provide a list of items that cannot be shipped or require special permits before they are allowed to enter Israel.

New Jewish Immigrant (Aliyah)

How to apply? No need to apply. When an Oleh Hadash lands at Ben Gurion Airport he/she gets the Immigrant Booklet (Teudat Oleh) at the airport. Upon issuing the booklet, the Ministry of Absorption transmits the newly issued ID number(s) to Israeli Customs and the duty-free allowance is updated automatically.

New Jewish Immigrants can import 3 shipments within 36 months of their entry date to Israel – goods can be used or new – Israeli Customs allows both duty free as long as you don’t exceed your duty-free allowance.

• Appliances   1 of each. If you bring more, pay duties.
• Computers   3 allowed. If you bring more, pay duties.
• Televisions   3 allowed. If you bring more, pay duties.
• Vacuum Cleaners 2 allowed. If you bring more, pay duties.
• Furniture – allowed in a reasonable amount to fit the home size.
• General household goods – clothing, linen, kitchenware, decorations, sports equipment, books, CD’s etc. – allowed in reasonable amounts.

Any item that is limited in quantity is checked if the client utilizes his/her 3 shipments allowance. If you imported 1 TV on shipment #1, you could only bring an additional 2 duty-free on your 2nd or 3rd shipment.

Docs required:

• Israeli Customs Form MB130 (declaration form), duly filled and signed – the values should represent fair market value (i.e. how much the item worth as used) and not insurance/replacement value;
• Packing list;
• Copy of Israeli ID card and/or Teudat Oleh;
• Israeli Customs Form MB165 (authorization to customs agent), duly filled and signed OR a digital authorization via World Gate portal (manual is available by request);
• Receipts for items bought in the last year (mainly appliances);
• Bill of lading (will be issued by the agent packing your shipment abroad).

Israeli citizenship can be applied for by various groups, including individuals with Jewish ancestry under the Law of Return, those who have lived in Israel for a specified period, and those married to an Israeli citizen. Children born to Israeli citizens abroad, with at least one parent being an Israeli citizen, are also eligible. The process involves fulfilling residency requirements, demonstrating basic knowledge of Hebrew, and integrating into Israeli society. Each category has specific criteria and documentation requirements for eligibility.

Returning Israeli Citizens (Toshav Hozer)

To apply for returning Israeli citizens status you need to fulfill two conditions:

1. Residence abroad for more than 2 years;
2. The sum of all visits in each year did not exceed 120 days in each year of living abroad.

How to apply? Once in Israel, within hours from passing passport control at Ben Gurion airport, they can apply directly to Customs using their GOV.IL profile via the link: https://www.gov.il/he/service/request-for-entitlement-exemption-for-returning-resident-student; If all is in order, confirmation will be given within seconds. There is no need to visit the Ministry of Absorption or wait for their booklet. Customs allow activation of duty-free entry separately. If you get a rejection, you do not qualify for Returning Israeli Citizen status.

Note: this process can’t be assisted by a Customs Broker. It must be done solely by importers.

Returning Israeli Citizens can import 2 shipments within 9 months of their entry date to Israel – goods can be used or new – Israeli Customs allows both duty free as long as you don’t exceed your duty-free allowance.

• Appliances   1 of each. If you bring more, pay duties.
• Computers   3 allowed. If you bring more, pay duties.
• Televisions   3 allowed. If you bring more, pay duties.
• Vacuum Cleaners 2 allowed. If you bring more, pay duties.
• Furniture – allowed in a reasonable amount to fit the home size.
• General household goods – clothing, linen, kitchenware, decorations, sports equipment, books, CD’s etc. – allowed in reasonable amounts

Any item that is limited in quantity is checked if the client utilizes his/her 2 shipments allowance. If you imported 1 TV on shipment #1, you could only bring an additional 2 duty-free on your 2nd shipment.

 

Docs required:

• Israeli Customs Form MB130 (declaration form), duly filled and signed – the values should represent fair market value (i.e. how much the item worth as used) and not insurance/replacement value;
• Packing list;
• Copy of Israeli ID card/Israeli Passport;
• Israeli Customs Form MB165 (authorization to customs agent), duly filled and signed OR a digital authorization via World Gate portal (manual is available by request);
• Receipts for items bought in the last year (mainly appliances);
• Bill of lading (will be issued by the agent packing your shipment abroad).

Customs Information – Foreign Workers (B1)/Students (A2)/Clergy (A3)

In general, foreigners do not qualify for duty free entry. They must pay 17% VAT (current tariff till 31.05.2028) from declared value + shipping charges up to clearance port (i.e. CFR value).

Foreign work visa and clergy visa holders can submit instead a digital bank guarantee that has to be valid for their period of stay in Israel. The process takes time and could result in storage fees at the port and involves paying bank fees. The guarantee must be from an Israeli bank that established the digital process of issuing guarantees. Israeli Customs can’t accept paper guarantees. Once goods are re-exported from Israel, Israeli Customs will cancel the guarantee and will notify the bank accordingly.

In many cases, the hassle of issuing the guarantee and the storage fees associated with the process are higher than the amount of duties/taxes expected to be paid. Consider paying the duties/taxes and avoid hassles and bureaucracy.

Docs required:

• Israeli Customs Form MB130 (declaration form), duly filled and signed – the values should represent fair market value (i.e. how much the item worth as used) and not insurance/replacement value;
• Packing list;
• Copy of VISA should be valid for at least 1 year;
• ePOA – customs broker will assist you with that;
• Receipts for items bought in the last year (mainly appliances);
• Bill of lading (will be issued by the agent packing your shipment abroad);
• In some cases, customs will ask for a confirmation letter from the employer, academic institute or religious institute + proof of residence in Israel in order to proceed with working on the file.

Customs Regulations –  Diplomats – In general, diplomats are exempted from duties and from inspections.

Diplomats are considered as such only after the Israeli MFA issued them their diplomatic ID card. That is done once the diplomat arrives in Israel and assumes his position at the diplomatic mission. Without a diplomatic ID card issued, the importer will not be eligible for duty-free entry.

Docs required:

•   Israeli Customs Form MB130 (declaration form), duly filled and signed –  one value (lump sum) for the entire shipment. No need to breakdown to commodity groups;
•   Bill of lading;
•   Packing list;
•   Copy of passport;
•   Copy of Israeli ID card.

Do NOT ship the following items:

• Electrical scooter, electrical bicycle, electrical skateboard;
• Baby car seat;
• Helmets of any kind;
• Car spare parts of any kind;
• Wireless equipment not approved by Ministry of Communication;
• Natural, unprocessed materials – ivory, rawhide, seeds, soil, leaves, tree barks etc.;
• Fire extinguishers;
• Medicine and narcotics especially medical marijuana even if client has a license/prescription;
• Weapons and ammunition;
• Items related to gambling equipment;
• Vehicles – car, motorbike, e-bike, jet-ski and similar. They require an import license and are not duty free;
• Alcoholic beverages.

Items that are not restricted, but incur duties, taxes and/or purchase tax even for Returning Citizens:

• You can import up to 24 bottles of wine / 6 bottles of Liquor.
• Subject to payment of full duties and taxes, regardless of consignee’s status.
•  25-120 (Maximum) bottles of wine require a permit from the Standards Institute.
• Car-top storage bin (made of plastic, aluminum, or similar hard material);
• Up to 15 kg (35 lbs.) of dry food (only), with declared value up to $50
• Bicycle car rack;
• 3-D printer;
• Items installed permanently in the house – kitchen cabinets, sanitary equipment, wallpaper, sauna, jacuzzi, gazebo, etc.

Personal Import of Vehicle into Israel (Updated January 1st, 2024)

Customs clearing your vehicle in the Israel Personal Import process 

This information sheet is designed to provide you with preliminary information and prepare you for the process, as it is more complex compared to clearance of personal effects and household goods. Understanding the process will help you and we could help shorten the timeframe the clearance takes and will enable you to drive it in Israel as quickly as possible.

Important – Israeli Customs is very meticulous when analyzing documents submitted during the clearance process so please make sure all documents are scanned in full, in high resolution in order to enable reading and avoid using mobile cameras at an angle. Any misunderstanding by Customs when analyzing the documents may cause delays in clearance. Please take an additional moment to make sure all docs are clearly scanned.

Before arrival of the vehicle to Israeli port

Apart from New Immigrants (Oleh Hadash) and diplomats, all Israeli ID number holders are required to obtain an import license from the Ministry of Transportation, issued for the exact vehicle he or she is importing (i.e. maker, model, VIN number etc.). The application should be submitted online by the importer, as this is a process not associated with the Customs Clearance process. Please make sure you put the EXACT details on the application (ID number, full name and last name, VIN number, engine volume etc.). Any error in the license might revoke it and result in re-application. FYI – if, for any reason, the vehicle arrives in Israel and the license is not issued yet, a fine of 5% from value for Customs will be automatically issued by Customs computer to the importer. This is an automatic generation of a fine and we can’t do anything to waive it.

Checklist – documents required for customs clearance

This list allows you to prepare the customs clearance set of documents required for customs clearance. Please DO NOT take photos of documents, using your mobile camera in an angel. Documents should be fully scanned (The entire document, if more than 1 page, scan all pages) and make sure the scans are clear and readable in good quality.

Setting up the Customs file

According to the information provided by the import license (returning citizen and current resident) or the instruction of the supervisor of standards at the Ministry of Transport (New Jewish Immigrant) we will prepare the Rikhbit file to customs, which includes the Green Grade and Pollution Level of the vehicle. Please note the entire calculation of any discount in effect or luxury tax is done solely by Customs computer. We are simply entering the plain data from the vehicle documents.

Final update for the file can only occur when the vessel has docked and the car was offloaded from the vessel (in Ro-Ro vessels) or at the terminal (if arrived in a container). We are unable to submit a file to Customs before the car is at the port/terminal and the port/terminal transmits an “available” message to Customs.

If the amount of taxes & duties to be paid to Customs exceeds ILS 50,000, the importer must wire the amount directly to Custom using an RTGB wire (not a regular one). Your Import move coordinator will provide the bank details of Customs ahead of time along with a draft import entry showing the amount of money to wire.

Customs handling during the clearance process

Every clearance of vehicles in Israeli ports is subject to a process called “documents analysis” in which the officer in charge carefully checks all documents required and also requests a Customs inspection to verify the VIN number to the documents, as well as make sure no unallowed add-ons were installed in the vehicle.

In case of concerns about the documents, the officer will request additional information. It is important to reply to their request as quickly as possible.

In some cases, if the documents and/or the information in the documents is not sufficient to determine that the declared value is realistic, Customs reserve the right to request an appraiser to estimate the car’s value. The appraiser is a certified one, appointed by Customs. If the appraiser estimates the vehicle in a higher value, Customs will issue a payment order for the balance of the duties/taxes. It’s important to know that Customs have many tools to verify values of vehicles, and they are using it often in order to support their decision to overrule the declared value.

On average, the customs clearance process takes 1-3 Weeks. In extreme cases, when the authorities are slow, we have seen situations where the clearance has taken up to 6 Weeks. Any dispute over the documents and/or appraiser check could and will prolong the process. The appraiser does not visit the port daily, and filing the report could take up to 3 business days.

Once the vehicle is cleared

Phase 1- registration process

The move coordinator will send you the entry form with the title “Cleared”. Importer must go with the file and original ID Card to the nearest branch of Misrad Ha’Rishuy (DMV) in order to register the car and obtain a temporary title. Import will be required to:

1. Pay the title fees;
2. Obtain yellow license plates (front and rear);
3. Issue mandatory insurance coverage.

Phase 2-collecting the vehicle from port

Once Phase 1 is complete, the importer can go to Our agent’s office in Israel and get the delivery note and gatepass in order to pick up the car from the port/terminal. Once vehicle is collected you:

• Must go to a certified standardization workshop to perform a conformity check for the car;
• Install “Mobileye” or similar system;
• Contact “Yitzhak Levi Appraisers” to get an appraiser report so you can issue the comprehensive insurance coverage.

Link to certified standardization workshop:

https://www.gov.il/he/departments/guides/personal_import_of_vehicles?chapterIndex=5

Important: This information is intended for general guidance. Orbit International Logistics LTD. cannot however take responsibility for any errors or omissions or for any loss or damage that may occur from its use. As such it is advisable to contact the nearest Israeli customs office for full and current information prior to importation.

Israeli Consulates in Canada

Embassy of Israel in Ottawa, Canada
50 O’Connor Street
Ottawa, Ontario K1P 6L2
Canada
City: Ottawa
Phone: (613) 567-6450
Fax: (613) 567-9878
Web Site: http://ottawa.mfa.gov.il/
Email: info@ottawa.mfa.gov.il
Office Hours: 10:00 – 13:00

Consulate General of Israel in Quebec, Canada
Suite 2620
1155 Boul. René Lévesque Ouest
Montreal, Quebec
City: Quebec
Phone: (514) 940-8525
Fax: (514) 940-8510
Web Site: http://montreal.mfa.gov.il/
Email: Consular@montreal.mfa.gov.il
Office Hours: Monday through Friday from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM (except national and Jewish holidays)

Consulate General of Israel in Toronto, Canada

2 Bloor St E #400, Toronto, ON M4W 1A8

Phone: (416) 640 8500
Fax: (416) 640 8555

Web Site: http://toronto.mfa.gov.il

About Orbit International Moving Logistics Ltd 

Orbit International Moving Logistics Ltd was established by 2 long time family friends who had experienced moves with mixed results. However, none have satisfied the quality of service needed during such an emotional and straining event. We have extensive experience relocating customers worldwide by Ocean Freight and Air Cargo as we are an international shipper. Our rates are always All-inclusive. What sets us apart is the level of service we offer our customers.  We provide free, no-obligation estimates, listen to your concerns, and find the solutions best suited to meeting your removal and relocation needs – whether you’re moving your family.(i.e. door-to-door, door to port, full containers, RO-RO, custom crates, etc.) We offer free consultations with one of our relocation specialists and assist you in planning moving to Israel and choosing the right overseas moving services.