Anyone know of someone who would like to take some stuff to israel?

[ybeeds]

I once heard a great story:

Sender: Can you take a package to EY for me.
Traveler: Sorry, but I don't have room.
Sender: Its a very small package!
Traveler: ok, fine!
Sender: when can I drop it off?
Traveler: Just stick through my mail slot.
Sender: But it won't fit!?!?!

[ybeeds]

israel law doesnt allow to bring any electronics, even for your own use, if value is over $200 in total, including all gifts. they have a book, they know value, so your iphone can get someone messed up badly.  My sister asked to bring her one, and I declined. once they get you, they take it away, there is penalty, and you get info a black list. Asking a stranger to do you a favor by breaking the law and possibly get in trouble? I am being honest.  No Thanks.

Very Misinformed!!! you may take only $200 of sealed items! You may take as much as you want if its not packaged!! (i.e.- Laptop, cell phone/s, cameras etc.)

[sky121]

Very Misinformed!!! you may take only $200 of sealed items! You may take as much as you want if its not packaged!! (i.e.- Laptop, cell phone/s, cameras etc.)

-1
If you walk in with twenty laptops not sealed they still will make you problems.

[Chaikel]

-1
If you walk in with twenty laptops not sealed they still will make you problems.

+1
It seems that they were unsealed in this story:
http://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=23853.msg384178#msg384178

[Jkhein]

-1
If you walk in with twenty laptops not sealed they still will make you problems.

+1
when they catch people with hundreds of iphones etc all the time, its all just phones without boxes!

[ybeeds]

I was referring to taking 1 of each (maybe 2)... I apologize for not being clear about that!

All I was trying to say was: Many of the product we travel with regularly, are valued @ far more then $200.

[Menachem613]

Haven't people heard that Fedex and USPS offer a service where they will deliver packages for you to other countries?

[mena613]

You may bring gifts or new Items into Israel but they total value of the products may not exceed 300 $ in value.

The Israeli customs officials make great use of there privileged to evaluate the items according to there handbook..

If you bring items into Israel which are not in there original packaging even if there for personal use but exceed 300 USD of value
you have the option to declare them and pay the over prices tax, other wise if you get caught they either confiscate the items
and you do not have to pay a fine, or you have the right to pick it up the next day and pay taxes and a fine which is usually the value of the taxes again...

If you bring HUGE amounts of stuff into Israel, like 20 Iphones or so (commercial amounts) you will or can be indicted !

[Jkhein]

Haven't people heard that Fedex and USPS offer a service where they will deliver packages for you to other countries?

people are probably trying to save the crazy high rates they ask for the service.

[real-brisker]

One must pay taxes when using a shipping courier. Which is around 30%.

[real-brisker]

Jkhein - For one item it may be expensive, but for a few it wil come out fairly cheap.

[rots5]

Haven't people heard that Fedex and USPS offer a service where they will deliver packages for you to other countries?

u seriously think they don't go they customs?

[businessmachine]

I have no idea where you're getting this from. I just came back from a trip to Israel. I went through the green and was asked to put my bags through the scanner. I had 2 laptops ( 1 personal macbook air and 1 work laptop) an Ipad ( personal) and 3 Iphones ( 1 personal, 1 business, and 1 rental to use in Israel). They saw everything and said that I was good to go no problem....

You may bring gifts or new Items into Israel but they total value of the products may not exceed 300 $ in value.

The Israeli customs officials make great use of there privileged to evaluate the items according to there handbook..

If you bring items into Israel which are not in there original packaging even if there for personal use but exceed 300 USD of value
you have the option to declare them and pay the over prices tax, other wise if you get caught they either confiscate the items
and you do not have to pay a fine, or you have the right to pick it up the next day and pay taxes and a fine which is usually the value of the taxes again...

If you bring HUGE amounts of stuff into Israel, like 20 Iphones or so (commercial amounts) you will or can be indicted !

[Jkhein]

I have no idea where you're getting this from. I just came back from a trip to Israel. I went through the green and was asked to put my bags through the scanner. I had 2 laptops ( 1 personal macbook air and 1 work laptop) an Ipad ( personal) and 3 Iphones ( 1 personal, 1 business, and 1 rental to use in Israel). They saw everything and said that I was good to go no problem....

you were very lucky. I can give you some horror stories examples.

[sky121]

I have no idea where you're getting this from. I just came back from a trip to Israel. I went through the green and was asked to put my bags through the scanner. I had 2 laptops ( 1 personal macbook air and 1 work laptop) an Ipad ( personal) and 3 Iphones ( 1 personal, 1 business, and 1 rental to use in Israel). They saw everything and said that I was good to go no problem....

They could have just as easily made you problems. They let people go all the time with more than what the official rules state. It's not guaranteed though.
Just because you've done it doesn't mean the rules don't exist and doesn't mean that they aren't enforced plenty.

[businessmachine]

They could have just as easily made you problems. They let people go all the time with more than what the official rules state. It's not guaranteed though.
Just because you've done it doesn't mean the rules don't exist and doesn't mean that they aren't enforced plenty.

Is there really an official rule stating that one cannot bring personal items worth more than $300? It just doesen't make sense today where every phone is worth more then that. If anyone actually has the official rules from the Meches, it would be interesting to confirm as I travel to Israel quite often and have many relatives/acquaintances that also do with items worth much more then $300 and they never had a problem either. I think it comes down to if the people working there think that you brought the goods in with an intent to sell...

[rots5]

Is there really an official rule stating that one cannot bring personal items worth more than $300? It just doesen't make sense today where every phone is worth more then that. If anyone actually has the official rules from the Meches, it would be interesting to confirm as I travel to Israel quite often and have many relatives/acquaintances that also do with items worth much more then $300 and they never had a problem either. I think it comes down to if the people working there think that you brought the goods in with an intent to sell...

i will look tom for my papers , but i should have them somewhere with that rule.  I got stopped and had to pay the regular meches + knas. Even though it was used, but i brought it in its original box and all. Though used items don't count. When they were looking thru my camera bag he didnt blink an eye - and i have a slr.

[mena613]

Im not quite sure why what I stated does not match with your experience !

If your items are used you can obviously bring in as much as you want if its for personal use !

Its the sealed or new items that cause the problems !!

You def. sound like a very busy boy !

I have no idea where you're getting this from. I just came back from a trip to Israel. I went through the green and was asked to put my bags through the scanner. I had 2 laptops ( 1 personal macbook air and 1 work laptop) an Ipad ( personal) and 3 Iphones ( 1 personal, 1 business, and 1 rental to use in Israel). They saw everything and said that I was good to go no problem....

[Chaikel]

Im not quite sure why what I stated does not match with your experience !

If your items are used you can obviously bring in as much as you want if its for personal use !

Its the sealed or new items that cause the problems !!

You def. sound like a very busy boy !

Just because they're not enforcing it to the penny, doesn't mean they can't - and wont - enforce it if they are in the mood. They have taxed strollers with babies in it. While it's not common, if you don't follow the law they can enforce it.

http://www.iatatravelcentre.com/IL-Israel-customs-currency-airport-tax-regulations-details.htm

non-residents: gifts up to the equivalent of USD 125.- in ILS excl. television sets, cameras, movie cameras, tape recorders and typewriters.
Moreover, for their personal use and provided re-exported: one video camera, one photo camera, one movie camera, one tape recorder and, up to a value of USD 250.-: films and video cassettes. These articles are subject to high deposits which can be paid in cash or by VISA credit card only.
Flowers, plants, seeds: health certificate required.

[Moishebatchy]

Just because they're not enforcing it to the penny, doesn't mean they can't - and wont - enforce it if they are in the mood. They have taxed strollers with babies in it. While it's not common, if you don't follow the law they can enforce it.

http://www.iatatravelcentre.com/IL-Israel-customs-currency-airport-tax-regulations-details.htm

Wow... tape recorders and typewriters? Visa credit card only? How old is that information?!