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Israel Import Fees Tariffs Customs and Boarder Measures

Israel Import Taxes and Duties Exemption Routes and Temporary Importations

ATA Carnet

ATA Carnet, or ‘Merchandise Passport’, is an international customs document that permits temporary importation of goods on a duty and tax exemption basis. 

The ATA Carnet system was established by the International ATA Convention, and is governed by the World Customs Organization, and the International Chamber of Commerce’s World Chambers Federation. The ATA Carnet is granted by the Chamber of Commerce in the country of origin of the import. In the United States, the U.S. Council for International Business is appointed as the National Guaranteeing Association (NGA).  In Israel, the Federation of Israeli Chambers of Commerce (FICC) administers the documentation.

ATA Carnet applies to goods imported for certain purposes, such as commercial samples; sports and entertainment equipment; science equipment, raw materials and samples used for research and development; and more. Goods imported with an ATA Carnet may remain in Israel for a period of up to one year, and should be exported back to their country of origin. The criteria for obtaining an ATA Carnet may vary from country to country, and according to the type of the product. For additional information on ATA Carnet, please contact the U.S. Commercial Service Israel or the FICC.

Import exemption routes

For goods that do not meet the criteria for an ATA Carnet, exporters may apply for a taxes and duties exemption; the Israeli Customs Authority ‘green route’ allows a partial or full import taxes and duties exemption for non-commercial goods, under the certain conditions including (but not limited to): equipment addressed to international aid organizations; equipment addressed to healthcare organizations; equipment used in airports; equipment used for oil and gas research; and more. 

Additionally, the Israeli government has included taxes and duty exemptions for specific goods in several industries, for example: vehicles for research and development purposes; raw materials for production; wireless communication equipment; and more.

The principal condition for obtaining a taxes and duties exemption – be it with an ATA Carnet or other routes – is the importation of goods for non-commercial purposes. The aim of these programs is to encourage global trade and reduce trade barriers.  
For additional information on import taxes and duties in Israel, please contact the U.S. Commercial Service Israel.

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