How much VAT will you pay?
The simple calculator for how much Value Added Tax you will pay when importing items to Israel.
Combination of VAT and CIF
or USD in VAT alone
or USD (Item and Shipping Cost - no VAT)
Our site is responsive (works on Desktops, Tablets, and Smartphones), and really easy to use. It is created by a small team of dedicated people who love shopping online and comparing prices on products before ordering.
The sliders alter the cost of the item itself as well as shipping. There are also advanced settings which alter the VAT percentage, this is great for adjusting to different countries and to experiment.
We strongly recommend paying in USD (even with a foreign credit card), because currency rates fluctuate. Your order could be below $75 one day, but over it the next. And then, the tax authority could charge you VAT of 17% and hold your package. It is not worth the gamble in most cases.
Note that: currently, Israel has a 17% VAT charge on orders greater than or equal to $75 (not including shipping). If you order on Amazon, you are covered under their Amazing Import Deposit Fee policy. There is a deeper explanation in that link.
Next, try to split up your orders so they don't get consolidated. The official recommendation is 3 days between orders.
In addition, discount codes, coupons, and gift cards are generally considered forms of payment. This means: If the value of the item before the discount is $75 or above, you should expect to pay VAT on the value (at the original price) before the discounts.
Currently, this calculator is only calculating VAT. If you exceed $500 or purchase an item such as a car part, you may be subject to additional charges from the Tax Authority as well as the delivery company. In the near future, we will add additional features to help calculate this. As of now, you can scroll down to the sources section to get a full picture.
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Note that there may be additional fees (Not VAT), if your items exceed the value of $75. In addition, on items valued at over $1000, there will be additional fees based on the product category.
Here is DHL's Fee Chart for Example:
עמלה | Translation | Fee (Shekels) |
---|---|---|
שירות שחרור ממכס והקצאת אשראי | Customs clearance service and credit allocation | 67 |
(מעל $1000\חוקיות יבוא)שירות שחרור ממכס והקצאת אשראי | Customs clearance service and credit allocation (Above $1000/Import legality) | 290 |
סיווג יש למעלה מ-5 פריטים במשלוח | Over 5 items in shipment | 60 |
דמי הרשאה רש"ת | Authorization Fee (Airport Authority) | 27 |
The airport authority actually tacks on that additional fee. Other delivery companies may have different processes and additional charges. Note that, if you order through Amazon, you are already covered by their Import Deposit Fees as we mentioned earlier.
EMS (Express mail) which works internationally. But in Israel, דואר ישראל takes care of מכס - Customs for you and then charges you when it hits the post office. We hate being hit with unknown fines and fees, so try to avoid using EMS unless you have to. EMS Services: Express Mail, UPS, FedEx, and other express delivery services. Occasionally, Israel Post and DHL are also considered an EMS. TL;DR - the fees get passed on from the sender to the recipient.
Tax Calculation | Customs Duties | Purchase Tax (מכס) | VAT (מע"מ) | Purchase Amount |
---|---|---|---|---|
Value of the package only | Exempt | Exempt | Exempt | Less than $75 |
Value of the package only | Exempt | Taxable (as applicable) | Taxable | $75 to $500 |
The value of the package (including shipping and insurance) | Taxable | Taxable (as applicable) | Taxable | $501 to $1000 |
The value of the package (including shipping and insurance fees as for commercial imports) | Taxable | Taxable (as applicable) | Taxable | Over $1000 (or alcohol and tobacco) |
Additional Details
Determining the value of a shipment
Customs regulations in Israel define the worth of a personal import as the sum total paid for the product ordered plus the related services (insurance and shipping fees).
VAT and the taxes payable on shipments are calculated by Customs on a CIF basis. In calculating the cost for customs purposes (CIF), three details are taken into account:
City | Address | Phone |
---|---|---|
Tel Aviv | Derech HaHagana 137, Yad Eliyahu, Tel Aviv | 03-9421730 |
Jerusalem | Shatner Center, Givat Shaul Bet, Jerusalem 91999 | 02-6526193 |
Haifa | 19 Pal-Yam Ave., Shikmona, P.O.B. 245, Haifa 31999 | 04-8664130 |
Eilat | Central Post Office, Kenyon Ha'adom Shopping Center, Eilat 83100 | 08-6326476 |
There are a few special cases, we would like to highlight an overlooked one. If you purchase something and it breaks, you may need to send it abroad for repairs. The Tax Authority acknowledges that, and can refund your VAT Import Fees when the product gets returned. While this process may be a pain, it may be worth it to recover lost VAT costs. Both links are in hebrew, so use google translate if you have any issues.
In addition, here is the form for reimbursement.
Items that are not eligible for the $75 duty exception:
We built this calculator by following official documentation from the Tax Authority and the Israeli Government.
With that being said, this site shall have no liability for the accuracy of information provided and cannot be held liable for any claims or losses of any damages.
FAQ Post about Amazon free shipping to Israel - Buyer's Guide
Clarification about Import Deposit Fees and VAT
Phone Numbers and Customer Support Options in Israel
DHL list of prohibited items for import
FEDEX list of prohibited items for import
UPS list of prohibited items for import
Guide for Personal Importation by Parcel Post/Courier Service