Send Luggage From the USA to Israel
Introduction: Ship Luggage from the USA to Israel
Shipping Luggage and Personal Effects from the USA to Israel
Shipping personal belongings from the USA to Israel is one of the most distinctive relocations ExpediShip handles. It is distinctive because Israel is the only country in the world where a specific category of immigrants — Jewish people making Aliyah (עלייה, the act of immigrating to Israel under the Law of Return) — have a legally defined set of customs rights that go significantly beyond the standard personal effects import rules. For someone making Aliyah, the personal effects shipping process is not just a customs procedure. It is part of a package of national benefits designed to help new immigrants establish their lives in Israel.
The relevant customs authority is Meches (מכס — the Israel Customs and VAT Department), which operates under the Israel Tax Authority. Unlike EU countries where personal effects are covered by EU Regulation 1186/2009 and follow a common framework, Israel’s personal effects import rules are set by Israeli national law and differ significantly between three categories of person: Oleh Chadash (new immigrant making Aliyah), Toshav Hozer (returning Israeli resident), and general non-citizen importers.
If you are not making Aliyah or returning as a Toshav Hozer, the standard personal import thresholds apply: goods under $150 enter duty-free and VAT-free; between $150 and $500, 18% VAT applies; above $500, full customs assessment including customs duty and VAT.
Not shipping personal belongings? See our box shipping pagefor gift boxes and samples. For donation pallets or tradeshow freight, see our pallet page. For business equipment or inherited items in a crate, see our crate page.
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Who Ships Luggage and Personal Effects from the USA to Israel?
Who Ships Luggage and Personal Effects from the USA to Israel?
American Jews Making Aliyah
Aliyah — from the Hebrew word meaning “ascent” or “going up” — is the immigration of Jewish people to Israel under the Law of Return (Hok HaShvut), which grants every Jewish person the right to immigrate to Israel and receive Israeli citizenship. Approximately 3,000 to 5,000 Americans make Aliyah each year. For them, the personal effects import process is governed by the Oleh Chadash customs rights package, which provides significant tax-free import privileges well beyond what is available to non-immigrant movers. We cover these rights in detail below.
The main support organisation for American Jews making Aliyah is Nefesh B’Nefesh at nbn.org.il, which assists with all stages of the Aliyah process including coordination of Meches customs procedures for personal effects shipments.
Israelis Returning to Israel After Years in the USA
Israeli citizens and long-term residents who have been living in the USA for an extended period and are returning to Israel fall into the Toshav Hozer (returning resident) category under Meches customs rules. Toshavim Hozerim receive a similar but separate set of customs rights for their personal effects, with some differences from the Oleh Chadash package. We cover these rules below.
Non-Jewish Americans Relocating to Israel
Some Americans relocate to Israel for reasons unrelated to Aliyah — employment with US technology companies (Intel, Cisco, Motorola Solutions, Google, and many others have significant Israeli operations), academic positions at Israeli universities, diplomatic assignments, or life circumstances. These individuals are not eligible for Oleh Chadash or Toshav Hozer customs rights. Their personal effects are assessed under standard import rules: VAT of 18% on the CIF value above $150, and customs duty above $500.
Students at Israeli Universities
Israel’s universities — the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Tel Aviv University, Technion (Israel Institute of Technology), Weizmann Institute of Science, and others — attract international students including Americans on exchange programs, postgraduate degrees, and research positions. Personal effects shipped for a full academic year are assessed under standard import rules unless the student also qualifies for Aliyah or returning resident status.
Shipping Cost & Transit Time for Shipping Luggage from the USA to Israel
Our prices are highly competitive — that’s why so many customers choose Expediship for shipping from the USA to Israel. We offer affordable rates with reliable, professional service, guiding you step by step through the entire shipping process for boxes, luggage, and parcels.
Delivery to Israel typically takes around 5 business days, not including customs clearance time, which may vary depending on Israel government processing.
Below are estimated starting prices for shipping Luggage from the USA to Israel. Final cost depends on box size, pickup address, and delivery city.
| Weight Range | Starting Price (USD) |
|---|---|
| 1–10 lbs | From $35 |
| 11–20 lbs | From $75 |
| 21–30 lbs | From $105 |
| 31–40 lbs | From $135 |
| 41–50 lbs | From $155 |
| 51–60 lbs | From $185 |
| 61–80 lbs | From $205 |
| 81+ lbs | From $225 — for larger shipments, please contact customer service for an exact quote. |
Note: Prices are estimated starting rates for air freight shipments. Expediship offers door-to-door service with full tracking and customs guidance.
Oleh Chadash: The New Immigrant Customs Rights for Personal Effects
Oleh Chadash: The New Immigrant Customs Rights for Personal Effects
When a Jewish person makes Aliyah to Israel from the USA, they receive the status of Oleh Chadash (עולה חדש — new immigrant), which comes with a defined package of customs rights for importing personal effects and household goods. The rights are administered by Meches and are referenced in the Israeli Customs Ordinance. The main categories of what an Oleh Chadash can import tax-free are extensive.
The Teudat Oleh: the key document
The most important document for the Oleh Chadash customs rights is the Teudat Oleh (תעודת עולה) — the immigration booklet issued by the Israeli Ministry of Aliyah and Integration (Misrad HaAliyah VeHaKlita) upon arrival. To claim customs duty and tax exemptions, the Oleh must present the original Teudat Oleh to Meches during the customs clearance process. Without the Teudat Oleh, the customs exemptions cannot be granted.
The three-shipment, three-year rule
New Olim are entitled to up to three separate duty-free and VAT-free freight shipments. All three shipments must arrive at an Israeli port of entry (Ben Gurion Airport or the Port of Ashdod) within three years from the Oleh’s date of official Aliyah. Postal shipments and the personal items carried in checked baggage do not count toward this limit.
What can be imported duty-free and VAT-free by Oleh Chadash?
Used household furniture, books, clothing, linens, kitchenware, pictures, decorations, media, and general personal effects — in any quantity needed to furnish a home.
One of each type of household appliance — one refrigerator, one washing machine, one dryer, one dishwasher, and so on. Two televisions and two personal computers are allowed (plus a third computer subject to taxes).
Air conditioning units, fans, and heaters relative to the number of rooms in the Oleh’s new home in Israel.
Indoor sports and fitness equipment (treadmills, exercise equipment).
Carpeting up to 25% of the floor area of the Oleh’s home in Israel.
A vehicle may also be imported with reduced tax under the Oleh Chadash rights (76% tax on a car instead of the standard 116–131% for non-Olim), though the vehicle is handled separately from the personal effects shipment.
What is not included in the Oleh Chadash duty-free rights?
Alcohol above specific limits. Commercial or manufacturing equipment (the exemption covers items for household use only). New items purchased specifically for the move — Meches requires receipts for new merchandise including electronics and appliances.
Toshav Hozer: Returning Israeli Residents and Their Customs Rights
Toshav Hozer: Returning Israeli Residents and Their Customs Rights
An Israeli citizen or long-term resident who has been living outside Israel for more than two years and is returning to live in Israel permanently is classified as a Toshav Hozer (תושב חוזר — returning resident). Toshavim Hozerim receive a customs rights package for personal effects that is similar in principle to the Oleh Chadash package but with some differences.
The two-year minimum requirement
To qualify as a Toshav Hozer and access the associated customs rights, the Israeli citizen or resident must have been living outside Israel for a continuous period of at least two years. Israelis who have lived abroad for less than two years do not qualify for the Toshav Hozer exemption and their personal effects are assessed under standard import rules.
The customs clearance process for Toshav Hozer
When a Toshav Hozer arrives in Israel, Meches stamps their passport with “returning Israeli” (Toshav Hozer status). This passport stamp is the key document that activates the customs rights for personal effects import. The Toshav Hozer can then import one of each type of household appliance, furniture, clothing, and personal effects duty-free and VAT-free. Identical to the Oleh Chadash package: the items must be for household use, not commercial use, and Meches may require receipts for new merchandise.
The valued inventory in Hebrew
An important requirement that catches many Toshavim Hozerim off guard: Meches requires the detailed inventory of goods being imported to be written in Hebrew — or at minimum to include Hebrew values and descriptions — and must include the declared value of all items in Israeli shekels (NIS). The inventory should list make, model, serial number, and age for appliances and electronics. Israeli customs forms and procedures are primarily in Hebrew, and submitting an English-only inventory without Hebrew equivalents can slow the clearance process at Ben Gurion Airport or the Port of Ashdod.
ExpediShip’s Israeli clearance partners prepare bilingual (English and Hebrew) inventories and handle all Meches correspondence on your behalf for Toshav Hozer shipments.
Insurance Options for Shipping Boxes, Pallets, Crates, or Luggage from the USA to Israel
Every shipment automatically includes $100 of cargo insurance free of charge — if anything is lost or damaged, you are covered up to $100 at no extra cost. Need more protection? Add full coverage for just 3% of the declared value when requesting your quote. For eligibility rules, non-insurable items, and how claims work, see our Shipping Insurance Guide.
International Shipping Prohibitions and Restrictions
Ship from USA to Israel — Know What You Cannot Ship
Certain items cannot be received, stored, shipped, imported, or exported due to government regulations, safety concerns, or international trade laws. Transactions involving these commodities are strictly prohibited, regardless of the shipment’s origin or destination.
Note: These items are completely forbidden to be exported or imported between countries.
Shipping Process
Ship Box or luggage from USA to Israel
Frequently Asked Questions When Shipping Luggage from USA to Israel
It depends on your status. Oleh Chadash (new immigrants making Aliyah) can import personal effects duty-free and VAT-free in up to three shipments within three years of their Aliyah date, upon presenting the Teudat Oleh to Meches. Toshav Hozer (Israelis returning after 2+ years abroad) receive similar rights upon receiving the Meches passport stamp. For all others, VAT of 18% applies to goods above the $150 threshold. Information from Nefesh B’Nefesh on Aliyah customs rights is at nbn.org.il.
The Teudat Oleh is the official immigration booklet issued by the Israeli Ministry of Aliyah and Integration to every new Oleh upon arrival in Israel. It is the primary document that activates the Oleh Chadash duty-free personal effects import rights. Without the original Teudat Oleh at Meches customs clearance, the tax exemptions cannot be applied.
Via air freight to Ben Gurion Airport, personal effects typically arrive in 5 to 7 business days. Meches clearance for well-documented Oleh Chadash or Toshav Hozer shipments with complete Hebrew-language inventories is generally efficient at Ben Gurion Airport.