It is important to know about customs regulations before traveling to Israel to avoid legal issues and potential fines. As you know, customs regulations widely depend on the country. Before traveling to (or from) Israel make sure to check the allowance and limits for the next things:
- Alcohol and tobacco
- Currency
- Medicines (especially those containing drugs)
- Animals
- Cultural artifacts
- Plants, fruits, vegetables and other agricultural products
Check the information below to be sure that you are complying with Israel customs regulations.
Import regulations in Israel
Duty-free allowance
Tobacco limit
- Restricted to travellers 18 years and over;
- 250 grams of any tobacco product (maximum 200 cigarettes).
Bringing alcohol
Restricted to travellers 18 years and over. Both of the following:
- 1 litre of spirits;
- 2 litres wine.
Cash limit
- Funds of ₪50,000 Israeli New Shekels (ILS) or higher must be reported.
- If entering Israel from Gaza, funds of ₪12,000 Israeli New Shekels (ILS) or higher must be reported.
- If entering Israel from the land borders of Egypt or Jordan, funds of ₪12,000 Israeli New Shekels (ILS) or higher must be reported.
Other Goods
- 250mL of perfume.
- Goods for personal use, such as clothing and toiletries.
- Other personal goods or gifts up to a value of US$200. This can include up to 3kg of foodstuff, but no more than 1kg of one type of food. This exemption may not be combined with other travellers to import goods exceeding the value of US$200. This exemption is only applicable to passengers above 2 years of age.
Prohibited items
The following are goods which cannot be brought into the country.
- Offensive or indecent goods.
- Counterfeit currency and documents.
- Tickets and advertising materials for lotteries and gambling without permits.
- Forged or counterfeit invoice forms, preference documents, or certificates of origin.
- Used sacks that were used for packing plant material.
- Knives, excluding knives intended for use in a profession, trade, business or for household purposes.
- Laser speedometer disruptor.
- Pen-like or gun-like shooting devices.
- Tear gas container in the shape of a shooting device.
- Prohibited games.
- Explosives and flammable materials.
- Live creatures such as poisonous snakes.
- Used equipment for bee keepers.
- Utensils used in the preparation or use of dangerous drugs.
- Goods used to incite violence, terrorism, or racism.
- Goods aligned with, or showing sympathy towards, terrorist groups.
Restricted items
These goods are strictly regulated, and in most cases require a permit to be obtained prior to arrival.
- Pets are subject to certain import restrictions. For further information, please visit Flying Animals.
- All plants and plant products are subject to inspection by the Ministry of Agriculture to verify their compliance with the phytosanitary standards of Israel. For further information, please visit Imports of plants and plant products.
Information has been updated: .