1. Your category in Israel
Pick your category and this section shows what we actually hold for Israel: how many potential buyers we have verified, what roles they play in the supply chain, and how well they fit. Switch back to All industries at any time.
“Potential buyers” means the buyers we have verified and listed in our own directory — not every importer in the country. Buyer roles are our own grouping of the roles recorded in that directory. (7 of these records do not yet carry a recorded buyer role.)
2. Entry gate
Israel's technical gate is run by the Standards Institution of Israel (SII). Products covered by a mandatory standard must comply with it, and depending on the category the route is either SII certification or type approval, or an importer declaration combined with sampling and testing. That second path is faster and cheaper for many electrical goods, but it depends on having a complete technical file and a capable local importer. Get the classification right before you ship: the difference between the two routes decides both cost and lead time.
| Requirement | Status | What it involves | Lead time | Cost | Last verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SII standards / compliance mark | Mandatory (listed goods) | Products subject to a mandatory standard must comply with the requirement of the Standards Institution of Israel (SII). For many electrical and electronic goods the route is SII certification or type approval; some categories can instead follow an importer declaration with sampling and testing. Confirm which route applies to your HS line. | Pending | Pending | Pending |
| Import declaration / licensing | Applies (varies by category) | Import is made under a customs declaration by an Israeli importer. Some product categories require an import permit or prior approval from the competent ministry in addition to standards compliance. Requirements vary by category and should be checked for your specific goods. | Pending | Pending | Pending |
| Israeli importer of record | Always applies | The importer of record must be an entity established in Israel and registered with the customs and tax authorities. A Chinese seller cannot declare as importer of record; appoint a local importer or distributor to hold the declaration and the standards approvals. | Pending | Pending | Pending |
| Tariff (MFN) | Always applies | Average applied MFN tariff around 3.2%; the rate depends on the HS line and must be confirmed line by line at HS-code level. | — | On customs value | Pending |
| Tariff (preference) | Not available | There is no free trade agreement between China and Israel, so Chinese-origin goods pay Israel's MFN applied rate. Israel does have preferential arrangements with partners such as the EU and the United States, which do not extend to Chinese-origin goods. | — | — | Pending |
| VAT | Always applies | The standard VAT rate on imports was raised to 18% from January 2025, up from the previous 17%. It is charged at import on the customs value plus duty and other chargeable elements. A VAT-registered Israeli importer can normally recover input VAT, so for a compliant buyer it is largely a cash-flow item. | — | 18% | Pending |
| Labelling | Mandatory | Labels and product information must meet Israeli requirements, normally including Hebrew, with the importer's details, country of origin and safety information. The specific content depends on the applicable standard for the product category. | Pending | — | Pending |
Certification, tariff and clearance figures change. Every row above carries a verification date, and the current requirement is confirmed with your nominated local agent before each shipment.
3. Buyers and channel partners
Leading buyers and channel partners
How to use this list: do not mass-mail. Israeli purchasing is technical and direct — send the standards classification and the technical file with your first email, and answer questions concretely. An importer who understands the SII compliance routes is worth more than a larger buyer who has never imported this category.
4. Demand and import profile
Select your HS code and this block shows the import performance of your own category in Israel — not the country's macro numbers.
Import size & growth
Example: imports of this category run at a double-digit share of the market's total and are growing faster than overall imports.
Example values · to be replaced with OEC / WITS data for your HS line
Source-country mix
Example: China is the largest source, ahead of regional and EU suppliers.
Example values · to be replaced with OEC / WITS data for your HS line
Price band
Example: the mid price band is where Chinese supply competes; the low band is held by regional producers.
Example values · to be replaced with customs / trade data
What we can supply to this market
These are the lines we have found the strongest fit for Israel. Specifications are on the product pages; tell us your application and we will confirm the model.
5. Landed-cost calculator
A static table cannot persuade anyone. Enter your own numbers and see the landed cost. Duty rate and freight are editable so you can test scenarios.
Your shipment
Estimated landed cost
Illustrative calculation only. It excludes anti-dumping duty, excise, port storage and any category-specific surcharge. Confirm the duty rate and local charges with your forwarder before making a commitment.
6. Logistics and customs
Clearance-day and transit figures change with congestion, security and policy; treat as indicative and confirm before quoting.
7. Payment, currency and tax
8. Localisation and communication
These are the details nobody tells you, and one mistake can cost you a customer.
9. Risks and timing
Frequently asked questions
Do I need SII certification to export to Israel?
It depends on whether your product is covered by a mandatory standard of the Standards Institution of Israel. Covered products must comply, either through SII certification or type approval, or in some categories through an importer declaration combined with sampling and testing. Confirm the route for your specific product before shipping.
Can I be the importer of record myself?
No. The importer of record must be an entity established in Israel and registered with the customs and tax authorities. Most exporters appoint a local importer or distributor to hold the declaration and any standards approvals.
What is the import duty on my product?
There is no free trade agreement between China and Israel, so Chinese-origin goods pay Israel's MFN applied rate. The weighted average applied tariff is around 3%, but the exact rate depends on your HS code. Confirm the line before pricing.
How much is VAT on imports?
The standard VAT rate was raised to 18% from January 2025, up from 17%. It is charged at import on the customs value plus duty. A VAT-registered Israeli importer can normally recover input VAT, so for a compliant buyer it is mainly a cash-flow item.
Which port should I ship to?
Haifa and Ashdod are the main container gateways, with Eilat as a southern alternative. Choose based on your importer's location and inland transport cost rather than on the ocean leg alone.
How should payment be arranged?
For established relationships, T/T is common and open-account terms of 30–90 days are realistic given generally good credit behaviour. For larger or first orders, documentary credit is a reasonable middle ground. Invoicing in USD or EUR keeps currency handling simple.