Legality of the Import

• Free Import Order - Under the Licensing Order and Free Import Order, some of the goods imported to Israel must be licensed by the competent authority. Goods requiring an import license are listed in the first schedule of the order. The second schedule of the order lists goods subject to special requirements (marking, compliance with a standard, special certificate, etc.). Import licenses are also required for goods imported from countries defined as banning or restricting imports from Israel. 
• Customs Act - This act lists all the processes and procedures for the release of imported goods, such as supervision, inspection, registration and bond, storage of goods, customs payments, determining the value of the goods for customs purposes, etc. 
• Customs Rate and Purchase Tax - This is in fact "the Israeli Customs Book". Imports are classified according to the harmonized system (H.S.). Customs rates fall into three tiers: imports from general countries, from European Union and EFTA countries, and from other countries with which Israel has free trade region agreements. The Combined Customs and Purchase Tax Rate lists the classification of goods and the customs, purchase tax and TAMA (added percentage quota) rates levied on imports. The customs rate appears on the Customs Authority’s website and is updated daily (only in Hebrew).
• Customs Regulations File - This file is revised from time to time and lists the administrative regulations set forth by the Customs Administration regarding the work process and release of goods from Customs. 
• Trade Levy Order – Based on the Trade Surcharges Law, 5751-1991 – listing the trade surcharges (assurance charges [BITHA], countervailing duties or dumping charges) levied on the import of certain goods.  There is also a trade levy order (import charge stemming from a preferential agreement) listing the surcharges levied on goods imported from the U.S. (food and agricultural products).
• Consumer Protection Law - Several orders were published as part of the Consumer Protection Law which place certain requirements on imports, such as the "marking of goods order". The order in fact sets forth all the regulations concerning Hebrew marking of goods manufactured locally or imported. 
• Custom Treaties - Israel has signed a number of international customs treaties, such as the A.T.A Carnet Convention concerning the import of commercial samples

Import License from Countries to which the Free Trade Regulations Do Not Apply 
The free trade regulations allow for the importation of goods without a license, excluding certain goods defined in the schedule of the order as generally requiring an import license or compliance with the conditions set forth in the schedule. There are also countries for which a license is necessary in order to import any goods from them.

First Schedule – Countries with which Israel does not maintain diplomatic relations and which ban imports from Israel. An import license from these countries is rarely granted. 

Second Schedule – The second schedule lists the countries with which Israel does not have a trade agreement that contains amost favored nation (MFN) clause or which restrict the import of goods from Israel. These countries fall into two categories, and import licenses are required on imports from these countries subject to the criteria set forth in the order.

Countries with which Israel Maintains Diplomatic Relations

Countries with which Israel Does Not Have Diplomatic Relations