I want to import a product. What should I do

I want to import a product. What should I do

I want to import a product. What should I do

Generally speaking, import to Israel is free. Any person can import without an importer license or an import license/approval. However, some products require importer registration and an import license or approval, to supervise the products’ quality and to protect public health and safety.

The requirements depend on the customs classification, as defined in the Customs Tariff Order. Regulatory requirements for customs items and the products they represent are specified in the Free Import Order and its amendments. Specific, accurate information about requirements for approvals and/or licenses and about import taxes can be obtained as per the customs item of the goods you wish to import. Information about taxation is also available in the Customs Tariff Order. If you don’t know the customs item, you may contact a customs broker or a customs house to verify the classification of the product you wish to import.


Once you know the customs item, you can find it among the 8-digit numbers in the Customs Tariff Order.  In the Free Import Order, you must search among the 8-digit numbers as well as the 4-digit numbers. The specification in the Free Import Order does not always include 8-digit numbers.

What is a customs item?

A customs item is a code consisting of 4 to 8 digits, that identifies the product. The code is determined by an international classification system, primarily according to product type. The customs items is determined by the customs officer or customs broker.

For example:
39: Chapter 39 – plastic and plastic items
39.26: other plastic items and items made from materials other than those in items 39.01 to 39.14.
39.26.1000: office or school supplies

Where do I obtain an importer license/approval?

 entity qualified for this purpose, namely the Competent Authority. Each goods item has a Competent Authority assigned to it in the Free Import Order – according to the goods’ customs item.  The Competent Authority is responsible for supervising the product’s quality, to protect public health and safety.
In addition, the Competent Authority determines the terms and procedures for submitting applications and approving them, and the rules of issuing approvals.
For example: the Ministry of Health’s National Food Service is the Competent Authority for licensing food imports to Israel. The National Food Service has determined procedures for issuing import licenses/approvals. 
Each product is assigned a customs item, which determines whether it requires approval or license (in the Free Import Order). Conversely, if the item’s import is prohibited, this will be stipulated in the Customs Order (Import Prohibition Amendment), 2007.


How long does it take to obtain an import license, approval or permit?

An import license, approval or permit pursuant the Free Import Order will be provided within 14 business days of the day of receiving all documents necessary for the import license, approval or permit, as the case may be. Notwithstanding, the Ministry of Health’s National Food Service and Pharmacy Department, and the Competent Authority in the Ministry of Transport, National Infrastructure and Road Safety, will give their decision within 21 business days of receiving all documents.

More related articles...

Blog
עורך ראשי

Houthi involvement in the Israel–Hamas war

Contents During the 2023 Israel–Hamas war, the Houthi movement in Yemen, aligned with Hamas, launched attacks targeting Israel. They employed missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), some of which were intercepted

read more »
Blog
עורך ראשי

About Country Risk Assessment

For each insurance application received in ASHRA, we perform a risk assessment of the non-payment in the associated transaction. This risk assessment is based on

read more »

More on the subject...

https://www.unitedxp.co.il/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/international-trade.png
Unlocking Success: The Power of International Trade in Today's Market

In a world where borders are becoming more blurred than ever before, one cannot underestimate the colossal impact of international trade on shaping the global economy. The intricate web of transactions...

https://www.unitedxp.co.il/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/עותק-של-עותק-של-עותק-של-עותק-של-קול-המס-2200-x-700-פיקסל-2200-x-700-פיקסל.png
TIR (Transports Internationaux Routiers, International Road Transport)

With over 66 countries using the procedure, the TIR system is the international customs transit system with the widest geographical coverage.  Because the TIR Convention 1975 is directly applicable, there...

https://www.unitedxp.co.il/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/האיחוד-האירופי-פתח-במבצע-ימי-בים-סוף.png
Security and freedom of navigation in the Red Sea: Council launches EUNAVFOR ASPIDES

The Council launched today EUNAVFOR ASPIDES. The objective of this defensive maritime security operation is to restore and safeguard freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and the Gulf. With the launch...

https://www.unitedxp.co.il/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Blue-Modern-Gradient-Corporate-Business-Agency-Postcard.png
EU trade relations with Israel. Facts, figures and latest developments.

The legal basis for the EU’s trade relations with Israel is the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which entered into force in June 2000. The agreement aims to provide an appropriate legal and institutional...

https://www.unitedxp.co.il/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/נתיבי-סחר.png
International trade agreements

In today’s increasingly interconnected world, the future of global commerce rests upon the delicate balance struck by international trade agreements. These agreements serve as the backbone of the...

https://www.unitedxp.co.il/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/מנהל-היבוא.png
Import Administration

The Import Administration works to promote competition and reduce the cost of living through promotion and diversification of imports. The administration operates on a variety of intra- and inter-ministerial...

https://www.unitedxp.co.il/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/מדריך-ליבוא-אישי.png
Personal Import Guide

This guide provides an overview for consumers who wish to import goods to Israel for their personal use. (more…)

https://www.unitedxp.co.il/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Maersk-Hangzhou.png
Maersk Operations through Red Sea / Gulf of Aden

05 January 2024 – Update 07 On 2nd January 2024, A.P. Moller – Maersk announced that it would pause all vessels bound for the Red Sea / Gulf of Aden in light of the recent incident involving Maersk Hangzhou...

https://www.unitedxp.co.il/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/עמיל-מכס.png
Customs broker

Are you fascinated by the world of import-export? Do you find the logistics and regulations surrounding international trade bewitching? If so, then you’re in for a treat. In this comprehensive guide,...

https://www.unitedxp.co.il/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/ביטוח-נסיעות-2.png
Israeli Company Resilience Strategies in the US Market

Overview As the Israeli business community navigates uncharted waters due to the current military conflict in Gaza, companies selling in the US market find themselves grappling with challenges never seen...

1 2 3 8