How to Ship to Israel from the US

Israel is a high-income country with strong demand for US goods including electronics, books, specialty food, health products, and fashion. The large American-Israeli community creates steady personal shipment traffic. Israel has a free trade agreement with the US, which reduces or eliminates duties on many American goods.

Israeli VAT (Maam) is 17% and applies to most imports. The de minimis threshold is $75 USD for VAT and duties — packages below this may clear without charges. Israel's US-FTA means duty rates on qualifying US-origin goods are often 0% or low. Israeli customs (Israel Postal Authority / ICA) can be slow via postal channels — courier services are generally more reliable.

Carrier Options to Israel

USPS Priority Mail International

7-14 business days. Final delivery by Israel Post. Customs can be slow via this channel.

DHL Express Worldwide

3-5 business days. Most reliable for Israel. Handles customs efficiently.

FedEx International Priority

3-5 business days. Strong service to Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Haifa.

UPS Worldwide Expedited

4-6 business days. Good for commercial and business-to-business packages.

Commonly Prohibited Items

✕Firearms and weapons without Israeli Ministry of Defense authorization

✕Narcotics and controlled substances

✕Counterfeit goods

✕Certain food products without Israeli Ministry of Health or Agriculture permits

✕Fresh fruit and vegetables without phytosanitary certificates

✕Goods with markings offensive to religious sensibilities (context-dependent)

Israel-Specific Shipping Tips

💡 US-Israel FTA reduces or eliminates duties on qualifying US-origin goods — include certificate of origin

💡 Packages under $75 USD may clear without VAT/duty charges — but Israeli customs has discretion

💡 Israeli postal codes are 7 digits (e.g., 6100101 for Tel Aviv); use full 7-digit format

💡 DHL and FedEx clear Israeli customs faster than Israel Post postal channel

💡 Friday-Saturday (Shabbat) deliveries are not made — plan for Sunday-Thursday delivery window

Frequently asked questions

How long does shipping to Israel take?

USPS Priority Mail International: 7-14 business days. DHL/FedEx/UPS: 3-6 business days. Israeli customs can occasionally hold packages for 1-5 extra days via postal channels.

Does the US-Israel free trade agreement reduce duties?

Yes. The US-Israel FTA means most US-origin goods enter Israel duty-free or at reduced rates. Include a certificate of origin (Form A or commercial invoice with origin declaration) to claim these benefits.

Is there a VAT exemption for small packages to Israel?

Packages under $75 USD may be exempt from VAT and duties, though Israeli customs can assess any package at their discretion. Above $75, Israeli VAT (17%) applies and may be collected from the recipient.

Can I ship kosher food to Israel?

Yes, but it must be certified kosher and properly labeled. Non-kosher food is allowed but some products (meat, dairy) require Israeli Ministry of Health approval. Declare all food accurately.

What's the postal code format in Israel?

Israeli postal codes are 7 digits (changed from 5-digit in 2013). Example: 6100101. Always use the full 7-digit code. Write 'Israel' in English on the label.

How to Ship to Israel from the US

Typical 1 lb cost

Typical transit