Moving To Israel From Canada

Are you planning to move to Israel? Whether for personal, professional, or spiritual reasons, moving to Israel is an exciting prospect. Israel’s rich history, culture, and Mediterranean lifestyle make it a popular destination.

For many, making Aliyah (immigration to Israel under the Law of Return) is a return to their ancestral homeland in the Middle East, driven by a deep cultural and religious connection to the Holy Land. With a thriving tech industry, as well as high-quality healthcare and education systems, life in Israeli cities, such as Tel Aviv, are appealing to professionals seeking dynamic career opportunities and families looking to lay down new roots.

In this guide, we will help you with an overview of customs regulations for shipping to Israel, including duty-free allowances for household goods, required documentation for international relocation, and item restrictions. We also offer step-by-step instructions for importing personal vehicles, including necessary customs clearance documents. Also, we provide a list of items that cannot be shipped or require special permits before they are allowed to enter Israel.

Eligibility approval allows new immigrants (Olim) and returning residents to import or purchase certain goods tax-free, including:

• Personal belongings
• Household items
• A motor vehicle (partial exemption – see below)
• Personal Belongings
  • Eligible items include clothing, footwear, and toiletries — in typical travel quantities brought as hand luggage. Import of alcoholic beverages is permitted only with Wine Institute approval. NOT recommended.
• Household Items
  • Includes standard furnishings and equipment for a residential apartment, but
  • Excludes plumbing supplies and construction materials, flooring, wallpaper, tiles, marble, etc.

New Jewish Immigrant (Aliyah)

How to apply? No need to apply. When making Aliyah, the Oleh Hadash lands at Ben Gurion Airport he/she gets the Immigrant Booklet (Teudat Oleh). Upon issuing the booklet, the Ministry of Absorption transmits the newly issued ID number(s) to Israeli Customs and the duty-free allowance is updated automatically.

New Jewish Immigrants can import 3 shipments within 36 months of their entry date to Israel – used or new household goods – Israeli Customs allows duty-free if you don’t exceed your allowance.

Goods Eligible for Tax Exemption

Duty-Free Quantity Limits

• Appliances: 1 of each. If you bring more, pay duties.
• Computers: 3 allowed. If you bring more, pay duties.
• Televisions: 3 allowed. If you bring more, pay duties.
• Vacuum Cleaners: 2 allowed. If you bring more, pay duties.
• Hand Tools: Tools may be imported tax-free if they meet these conditions:
  • Intended for professional use (as determined by customs).
  • Must be hand tools under Customs Tariff item 84.67.
  • Total value must not exceed $1,650 USD (CIF value at port).
• Furniture – allowed in a reasonable amount to fit the home size.
• General household goods – clothing, linen, kitchenware, decorations, sports equipment, books, CD’s etc. – allowed in reasonable amounts.
• Any item that is limited in quantity is checked if the client utilizes the immigrant’s 3 shipment allowance. If you imported 1 TV on shipment #1, you could only bring an additional 2 duty-free on your 2nd or 3rd shipment.

Required Documents for Relocation to Israel

• Israeli Customs Form MB130 (declaration form), duly filled and signed – the values should represent fair market value (i.e. how much the item worth as used) and not insurance/replacement value.
• Packing list.
• Copy of Israeli ID card and/or Teudat Oleh.
• Israeli Customs Form MB165 (authorization to customs agent), duly filled and signed OR a digital authorization via World Gate portal (manual is available by request)
• Receipts for items bought in the last year (mainly appliances)
• Bill of lading (will be issued by the international moving service agent packing your shipment abroad).

Israeli citizenship can be applied for by various groups, including individuals with Jewish ancestry under the Law of Return, those who have lived in Israel for a specified period, and those married to an Israeli citizen. Children born to Israeli citizens abroad, with at least one parent being an Israeli citizen, are also eligible. The process involves fulfilling residency requirements, demonstrating basic knowledge of Hebrew, and integrating into Israeli society. Each category has specific criteria and documentation requirements for eligibility.

Returning Israeli Citizens (Toshav Hozer)

To apply for returning Israeli citizen status you need to fulfill two conditions:

1. Residence abroad for more than 2 years.
2. The sum of all visits in each year did not exceed 120 days in each year of living abroad.

How to apply? Once in Israel, within hours from passing passport control at Ben Gurion airport, they can apply directly to Customs using their GOV.IL profile via this link. If all is in order, confirmation will be given within seconds. There is no need to visit the Ministry of Absorption or wait for their booklet. Customs allow activation of duty-free entry separately. If you get a rejection, you do not qualify for Returning Israeli Citizen status.
Note: this process can’t be assisted by a Customs Broker. It must be done solely by importers.

Returning Israeli Citizens can import 2 shipments within 9 months of their entry date to Israel – goods can be used or new – Israeli Customs allows both duty free if you don’t exceed your duty-free allowance.

• Appliances: 1 of each. If you bring more, pay duties.
• Computers: 3 allowed. If you bring more, pay duties.
• Televisions: 3 allowed. If you bring more, pay duties.
• Vacuum Cleaners: 2 allowed. If you bring more, pay duties.
• Furniture: allowed in a reasonable amount to fit the home size.
• General household goods – clothing, linen, kitchenware, decorations, sports equipment, books, CD’s, etc.: allowed in reasonable amounts.

Any item that is limited in quantity is checked if the client utilizes his/her 2 shipments allowance. If you imported 1 TV on shipment #1, you could only bring an additional 2 duty-free on your 2nd shipment.

Required Documents

• Israeli Customs Form MB130 (declaration form), duly filled and signed – the values should represent fair market value (i.e. how much the item worth as used) and not insurance/replacement value.
• Packing list.
• Copy of Israeli ID card/Israeli Passport.
• Israeli Customs Form MB165 (authorization to customs agent), duly filled and signed OR a digital authorization via World Gate portal (manual is available by request).
• Receipts for items bought in the last year (mainly appliances)
• Bill of lading (will be issued by the agent packing your shipment abroad).

Customs Information – Foreign Workers (B1), Students (A2), Clergy (A3)

In general, foreigners do not qualify for duty free-entry upon relocation to Israel. They must pay 17% VAT (current tariff till 31.05.2028) on the declared value + shipping charges up to clearance port (i.e. CFR value).

If you’re moving to Israel on a Foreign work visa or a Clergy visa, alternatively you can submit a digital bank guarantee that has to be valid for the period of stay in Israel. This process can be time-consuming and could result in storage fees at the port of entry and may involve bank fees. The digital bank guarantee must be from an Israeli bank that established the digital process of issuing guarantees. Israeli Customs can’t accept paper guarantees. Once goods are re-exported from Israel, Israeli Customs will cancel the guarantee and will notify the bank accordingly.

In many cases, the hassle of issuing the guarantee and the storage fees associated with the process are higher than the amount of duties/taxes expected to be paid. Consider paying the duties/taxes and avoid hassles and bureaucracy.

Required Documents for Customs Clearance:

• Israeli Customs Form MB130 (declaration form), duly filled and signed – the values should represent fair market value (i.e. how much the item worth as used) and not insurance or replacement value.
• Packing list.
• Copy of Valid Visa, that should be valid for at least 1 year.
• ePOA (electronic Power of Attorney) – customs broker will assist you with that.
• Receipts for items purchased in the last year (especially appliances).
• Bill of lading (will be issued by the moving company agent packing your shipment abroad).
• In some cases, customs will ask for a confirmation letter from the employer, academic institute, or religious organization.
• Proof of residence in Israel in order to proceed with working on the file.

Diplomats – Duty Free Entry to Israel

Diplomates are considered as such only after the Israeli MFA issued them their diplomatic ID card. That is done once the diplomat arrives in Israel and assumes his position at the diplomatic mission. Without a diplomatic ID card issued, the importer will not be eligible for duty-free entry.

Required Documents for Diplomats
Israeli Customs Form MB130 (declaration form), duly filled and signed – with one lump sum value for the entire shipment. There’s no need to break down into commodity groups.

• Bill of lading.
• Packing list.
• Copy of passport.
• Copy of Israeli ID card.

Personal Import of Vehicle into Israel (Updated January 1st, 2024)

• An Israeli can import a vehicle up to 2 years old (From Date of Manufacturing to date of entry in Israel).
• Toshav Hozer can import a vehicle up to 4 years old.
• Oleh Hadash – No limit on age of vehicle
• All can import a collectible / Antique vehicle over 30 years of age.
• Date of Manufacturing can be found on a sticker at the driver’s door.
• Returning residents – The vehicle has been approved for import by the Ministry of Transport.
• The vehicle did not sustain any accidents.
• The importer holds a valid Israeli driver’s license for the type of vehicle.
• The vehicle must be imported into Israel within 9 months of the date of entry into the country.
• The importer must be at least 17 years old on the day of entry into Israel.

Additional notes:

• A vehicle may only be released from customs after an import license has been obtained from the Vehicle Import and Type Approval Department of the Ministry of Transport.
• The import license must be obtained before the vehicle arrives in Israel.
• Receiving an import license after the vehicle has already arrived in Israel is a violation and may result in a fine or penalty payment.
• The vehicle must remain under the importer’s ownership during 5 years after import. (This information changes from time to time. Check with the local authorities for most updated information)
• Many cars imported from North America to Israel may have to change their headlights to comply with the Israeli (European) road safety standards. If the headlights don’t meet Israeli regulations, the car will initially be issued a temporary 1-month license during the registration process. During this month you have to replace the headlights, go back to the Israeli Motor Vehicle Bureau, perform and pass an annual “test”. Once your vehicle passes the inspection, you will receive a standard 1-year car license. The cost will depend on the vehicle model and the electrician doing the installation – Around ₪2000 – ₪2500
• In Israel Vehicles will require Mobileye Lane change installed on this vehicle – Visit mobileye.com
• Vehicles MUST have ESP Traction Control.
• After the import, the importer must visit the License Bureau, Register the vehicle, obtain and attached license plate.
• For further inquiries, please contact the Vehicle Type Approval Department at the Ministry of Transport.

Customs Clearance for Vehicle Import to Israel – Personal Import Process

If you’re planning a relocation to Israel and are considering importing your vehicle, it’s important to understand that the customs clearance process for cars is more complex than for personal effects or household goods.

This guide is designed to help you prepare for customs clearance and reduce delays. Whether you’re making Aliyah, moving to Israel from Canada, or relocating for work or study, knowing the process in advance can help you drive your vehicle in Israel as quickly as possible.

Important Notes on Document Submission
Israeli Customs is highly meticulous when analyzing documents submitted during the clearance process. To avoid clearance delays, please make sure all documents are scanned in full, in high resolution to ensure all scans are clear, legible, and complete. Do not use mobile cameras at an angle. Any missing or unclear documentation will lead to misunderstanding by Customs when analyzing the documents and may cause unnecessary delays in clearance. Please take a few extra minutes to make sure all documents are clearly scanned.

Before Your Vehicle Arrives at an Israeli Port
Unless you are a New Immigrant (Oleh Hadash) or a diplomat, all Israeli ID number holders must obtain an import license from the Israeli Ministry of Transportation, issued specifically for the vehicle you are importing (i.e. make, model, VIN number, etc.). The application should be submitted online by the importer, as this is a process not associated with the Customs Clearance process. Please make sure you put the EXACT details on the application (ID number, full name and last name, VIN number, engine volume etc.). Any error in the license might revoke it and result in re-application.

Important: For any reason, the vehicle arrives in Israel before the license is issued, Customs will automatically issue a 5% fine based on the vehicle’s value. This penalty is generated by the system and cannot be waived.

Vehicle Import Checklist – Documents Required for Customs Clearance
This checklist will help you to prepare the customs clearance documents in advance. Please, DO NOT take photos of documents, using your mobile camera in an angle! Documents should be fully scanned (The entire document, if more than 1 page, make sure to scan all pages) and make sure the scans are clear and readable in good quality.

Setting Up the Customs File – Vehicle Import to Israel

As part of the relocation process for individuals moving to Israel, we handle the setup of your customs file for vehicle import. According to the information provided in the import license (for returning citizens and current residents) or based on the instruction of the Supervisor of Standards at the Ministry of Transport (for new Jewish immigrants making Aliyah), we will prepare the Rikhbit file for Israeli Customs. This includes details such as the Green Grade and Pollution Level of the vehicle. Our role is to input the vehicle’s data exactly as provided in your documents.

Final update for the file can only be completed once the vessel has docked, and the car was offloaded from the vessel (in Ro-Ro vessels) or at the terminal (if arrived in a container). We are unable to submit a file to Customs before the car physically arrives at the port or terminal and the port or terminal transmits an “available” message to Customs.
If the total amount of taxes and duties to be paid to Customs exceeds ILS 50,000, the importer must wire the amount directly to Custom using an RTGS (Real-Time Gross Settlement) wire transfer—not a standard bank transfer. Your Import move coordinator will provide you with the bank details of Israeli Customs in advance, along with a draft import entry, that shows the exact amount of money to be wired.

Customs handling during the clearance process

Every vehicle clearance at Israeli ports is subject to a process called “documents analysis” in which the Customs officer carefully reviews all required documents and requests a Customs inspection to verify the VIN number against the submitted paperwork and to ensure that no unauthorized add-ons were installed in the vehicle.
If there are any concerns about the documents, the officer will request additional information. It is important to reply to their request as quickly as possible.
In some cases, if the documents and/or the information in the documents is not sufficient to determine that the declared value is realistic, Customs reserves the right to appoint a certified appraiser to estimate the car’s value. If the appraised value is higher than what was declared, Customs will issue a payment order for the balance of the duties and taxes. It’s important to understand that Customs have many tools to verify values of vehicles, and they use them frequently to support their decision to overrule the declared value.
On average, the customs clearance process takes 1-3 Weeks. In extreme cases, when the authorities are slow, we have seen situations where the clearance has taken up to 6 Weeks. Any dispute over the documents and/or appraiser check could and will prolong the process. The appraiser does not visit the port daily, and filing the report could take up to 3 business days.

Once the vehicle is cleared

Phase 1- registration process
The move coordinator will send you the entry form with the title “Cleared”. Importer must go with the file and original ID Card to the nearest branch of Misrad Ha’Rishuy (DMV) to register the car and obtain a temporary title. Import will be required to:

• Pay the title fees.
• Obtain yellow license plates (front and rear).
• Issue mandatory insurance coverage.

Phase 2-collecting the vehicle from port
Once Phase 1 is complete, the importer can go to our agent’s office in Israel and get the delivery note and a gate pass to pick up the car from the port/terminal. Once vehicle is collected you:

• Must go to a certified standardization workshop to perform a conformity check for the car.
• Install “Mobileye” or similar system.
• Contact “Yitzhak Levi Appraisers” to get an appraiser report so you can issue the comprehensive insurance coverage.

Link to certified standardization workshop »

When dropping off a vehicle at our Facility

1. Vehicles MUST be professionally cleaned prior to delivery to Orbit (Clean inside out, Top to Bottom, Engine, wheel wells…)
2. Vehicles to be delivered to our facility on a flatbed tow truck to avoid accumulation of dirt.
3. Vehicles should be empty from any items. No parts, No wheels, No personal possession – Absolutely nothing.
4. The Low Fuel warning light MUST be lit to avoid booking the container as hazardous which carries a surcharge of $2,000.
5. We will be disconnecting the battery of the vehicle. Please advise where the battery if located if not in the standard.
6. Electric & hybrid vehicles:
   • Ask your Orbit Move Coordinator about the level of charge for the battery.
   • Battery draining activities should be off.
   • Additional Freight charges will apply (Depending on the Hazardous Classes) – Ask your Orbit Move Coordinator.
7. Make sure that the washer fluid contains ONLY Antifreeze liquids.
8. Unless otherwise quoted, all vehicles will be handed out at the destination port.
9. Communicate with your move coordinator about documents required for destination customs clearance and applicable taxes / duties, which are excluded from our quote. It is the customer’s responsibility to verify with the destination authorities whether the vehicle meets the destination country standards.
10. We required the following to ship a Vehicle:
    • 1 Set of Keys
    • Ownership (Title)
    • Proof of no financial liens on the vehicle – typically a “Used Vehicle Information Package.”
    • Copy of CARFAX
    • Copy of the car sticker (data tag on the post of the driver’s door that shows the EIN (usually as a bar code), date of manufacture (month, year) and factory location.
    • Copy of Foreign driver license

Note: No Original Documents required for the Export customs – Keep Original documents with you. DO NOT leave them in the vehicle.
In any case, before importing to Israel, consult your Orbit Move Manager for the latest information available by Israel customs as they change from time to time.

Important: This information is intended for general guidance. Orbit International Moving Logistics Ltd. cannot however take responsibility for any errors or omissions or for any loss or damage that may occur from its use. As such it is advisable to contact the nearest Israeli customs office for full and current information prior to importation.

Israeli Consulates in Canada

Embassy of Israel in Ottawa, Canada
50 O’Connor Street
Ottawa, Ontario K1P 6L2
Canada
City: Ottawa
Phone: (613) 567-6450
Fax: (613) 567-9878
Web Site: new.embassies.gov.il/canada/en
Email: info@ottawa.mfa.gov.il
Office Hours: 10:00 – 13:00

Consulate General of Israel in Quebec, Canada
Suite 2620
1155 Boul. René Lévesque Ouest
Montreal, Quebec
City: Quebec
Phone: (514) 940-8525
Fax: (514) 940-8510
Web Site: new.embassies.gov.il/montreal/en
Email: consular@montreal.mfa.gov.il
Office Hours: Monday through Friday from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM (except national and Jewish holidays)

Consulate General of Israel in Toronto, Canada

2 Bloor St E #400, Toronto, ON M4W 1A8

Phone: (416) 640 8500
Fax: (416) 640 8555

Web Site: new.embassies.gov.il/toronto/en

About Orbit International Moving Logistics Ltd 

Orbit International Moving Logistics Ltd. was established by 2 long time family friends who had experienced moves with mixed results. However, none have satisfied the quality of service needed during such an emotional and straining event. We have extensive experience relocating customers worldwide by Ocean Freight and Air Cargo as we are an international shipper. Our rates are always All-inclusive. What sets us apart is the level of service we offer our customers. We provide free, no-obligation estimates, listen to your concerns, and find the solutions best suited to meeting your removal and relocation needs – whether you’re moving your family (i.e. door-to-door, door to port, full containers, RO-RO, custom crates, etc.) We offer free consultations with one of our relocation specialists and assist you in planning moving to Israel and choosing the right overseas moving services.