Can I send food to Israel?
Yes, with conditions.
Factory-packed and labeled, up to 5 kg of one food and 15 kg per shipment, in up to six food shipments a year. No meat (except canned), fresh dairy, soft cheese, or baby formula. Fresh produce, fruit, and nuts need plant protection approval.
For every Onvoyo box: Only sealed, shop-bought, shelf-stable food. Express couriers don't carry perishable food: nothing fresh, frozen, meat, dairy or produce.
More rules for Israel
Allowed with conditions
- Plants, seeds, grains, fresh vegetables, and fruit and nuts (including dried)
- Need approval from the Ministry of Agriculture's Plant Protection and Inspection Services (PPIS). Approvals are due within 10 working days of a complete request. Anything that needs a full import license must be applied for 14 working days before import, with a fee per product.
- Meat, eggs, animal products such as bones, feathers, or hair, and live animals
- Need Veterinary Services approval, due within 14 working days. Pets need an import license arranged before they travel.
- Food
- Up to 5 kg of any one food and 15 kg per shipment, factory-packed and labeled, in no more than six food shipments a calendar year. Food with meat (except canned), fresh dairy, soft cheese, and infant or toddler formula fall outside the personal-import rules. Hard cheese, preserved dairy, milk powder, and sweets or drinks containing milk are allowed.
Quantity limits
- Food in shipments
- Up to 5 kg of one food and 15 kg per shipment, in up to six food shipments a calendar year. Spices: 500 g each and 5 kg in total. Saffron: 20 g. Supplements: 5 of one kind and 15 in total.
- Gifts and other goods (travelers only)
- Up to USD 200 (about ILS 610) per traveler aged 2 or over, including up to 3 kg of food (1 kg per type). 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 food to Israel?
Yes, with conditions. Factory-packed and labeled, up to 5 kg of one food and 15 kg per shipment, in up to six food shipments a year. No meat (except canned), fresh dairy, soft cheese, or baby formula. Fresh produce, fruit, and nuts need plant protection approval.
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.