A city with high household consumption and frequent online orders from abroad, understanding import tax rules can save a significant amount of money. The Israel Tax Authority has released an updated guide outlining the main rules for personal imports via mail or shipping companies.

The $150 Rule: Shipments valued at up to $150 are fully exempt from import taxes. However, this exemption does not apply to tobacco, alcohol, alcoholic beverages, and electronic cigarettes.

Shipping and Handling Fees: Many people make mistakes when calculating the exemption. The value of goods alone counts toward the $150 limit, while shipping and insurance costs are separate. For example, an order of clothing worth $140 with shipping of $20 is still exempt, because the product value itself is below $150.

The 72-Hour Rule: To prevent attempts to bypass taxes by splitting shipments, two or more packages sent from the same supplier to the same recipient within 72 hours are treated as a single shipment. In this case, import taxes are calculated based on the total value of all packages together.

Impact for Consumers: Planning orders wisely and leaving a gap between shipments can save money and ensure packages arrive in  without unexpected tax charges.

Understanding import rules is like navigating a fast lane—knowing when to pause or split shipments helps you reach your destination efficiently and without unnecessary fees.