Can I send alcohol or tobacco to Israel?
No.
No tax-free limit: taxed at any value, as if imported commercially. Tobacco must be packaged and marked to Israeli law. Traveler allowances don't apply to shipments.
For every Onvoyo box: Onvoyo and most express couriers don't carry alcohol, tobacco or vaping products in personal boxes, whatever the destination allows.
More rules for Israel
Not allowed
- Tobacco and smoking products not packaged and marked to Israeli law
Allowed with conditions
- Alcohol, tobacco, and e-cigarettes
- No tax-free limit for any of them. Alcohol and tobacco are taxed at any value, as if imported commercially. Tobacco and smoking products must be packaged and marked to Israeli law.
Quantity limits
- Personal shipments
- Up to USD 75 (about ILS 228) per shipment: no duty, VAT, or purchase tax. Doesn't apply to alcohol, tobacco, or e-cigarettes.
- Alcohol (travelers only)
- 1 liter of spirits and 2 liters of wine per traveler aged 18 or over. Does not apply to shipments, where alcohol is taxed at any value.
- Tobacco (travelers only)
- 250 g of tobacco or 200 cigarettes per traveler aged 18 or over. Does not apply to shipments.
Before you ship to Israel
- Tax-free limit
- Shipments worth up to USD 75 (about ILS 228) are tax-free, whether they hold purchases, gifts, or used goods. Shipping and insurance billed separately don't count toward the USD 75. Alcohol, tobacco, and e-cigarettes get no exemption. From USD 75 to USD 500 (about ILS 1,520), you pay VAT and any purchase tax but no customs duty. Above USD 500 all taxes apply, and above USD 1,000 (about ILS 3,040) the box is taxed like a commercial import. Boxes sent by the same sender to the same receiver within 72 hours count as one shipment.
- Receiver ID
- Teudat zehut (Israeli ID number), or passport number for foreign residents needed. Customs Form 130 asks for the goods owner's ID number or passport number, and lists the ID card among the documents for clearing a personal import. Give the receiver's number when you book so the courier's customs agent can file the declaration in their name.
- Transit
- 2-5 business days from Europe; 3-6 from North America; 4-7 from Asia
Questions
Can I send alcohol or tobacco to Israel?
No. No tax-free limit: taxed at any value, as if imported commercially. Tobacco must be packaged and marked to Israeli law. Traveler allowances don't apply to shipments.
Ask about a specific item
Official sources
- 1.
Israel Tax Authority (Customs)
Guide to Personal Importation via Parcel Post or Courier Services (opens in a new tab) - 2.
Ministry of Economy and Industry
צו יבוא אישי – מהדורה דיגיטלית (opens in a new tab) - 3.
Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Plant Protection and Inspection Services
רישיונות יבוא לצמחים ומוצרי צמחים (opens in a new tab) - 4.
Ministry of Health, Pharmaceutics Division
Personal Importation of Medicines (opens in a new tab) - 5.
Israel Tax Authority (Customs)
Import Tax Guide for New Immigrants (Olim) (opens in a new tab) - 6.
Israel Tax Authority (Customs)
Customs guide for returning residents (opens in a new tab) - 7.
Israel Tax Authority (Customs)
Customs Guide for Tourists and Foreign Residents (opens in a new tab)
General guidance, not legal advice. Customs in Israel makes the final decision on every box.