Israeli Tariff Policy

According to the development of its national economy, in recent years, the Israeli government has adjusted domestic import tariffs in September 1st to reduce its domestic shortage products and raw material tariff rates according to its external development and the supply of goods needed.

Import duties fall into the following categories:

European Union and European Free Trade Agreement countries

Israel is closer to Europe in its geographical position. It has the advantages of convenient pportation, timely and marketable trade from Europe, and has a traditional trade channel.

Therefore, most of the imported products come from European countries.

Moreover, in 1975, it signed a free trade agreement with the European Union (EU) and the European Free Trade Agreement countries (EFTA).

Apart from imposing tariffs on individual products, such as agricultural products, from the European Union and the European free trade countries, Israel is exempt from tariffs on most other imports.

Other free trade agreement countries tariff

Israel attaches importance to the development of free trade with other countries, and signed a trade agreement with the United States in 1985. Some of the provisions of the agreement are different from those stipulated by European countries, especially for the export of Israeli textiles to the United States.

Since 1997, Israel has been exempt from the import of agricultural and industrial products from Canada, a free-trade agreement country. In 1999, it introduced tax relief on textiles and timber.

Since August 1, 1997, exemption and exemption has been imposed on textiles, footwear and aluminum products from Turkey, a free trade agreement.

In 1998, it signed a free trade agreement with Poland and Hungary. In 1999, it signed a free trade agreement with Mexico.

General trade tariff

Prior to 1991, tariffs imposed by Israel included high tariffs on non scarce products imported from the general trading countries in addition to the duty-free products in the domestic market.

Since 1991, the government has adopted an annual adjustment to import tariffs in order to rapidly develop its national economy.

Most of the products that are required for national purposes are reduced or exempted, but import taxes are still imposed on some imported products.

1. live animals, fish eggs and products

Since 1995, other commodities have been exempted from 12% of the tariff on some ornamental animals.

Living sheep still pay import surtax, and most live animals and poultry need import license.

Live fish are mostly tax-free.

But dry fish or smoked fish tax 15% or 20%, part of the tax exemption.

Fresh meat is collected from quantity tax.

Rabbit meat and smoked pork are taxed at Kerr 417 per ton. The rest is exempt from customs duties.

Shell eggs are tax-free.

Dairy products tax rates are mostly between 2% or 6%, but import surcharge is required.

The tax rate of condensed milk is still 52%, no import surcharge.

Most of the other animal by-products (including raw materials), including human hair, animal mane, feathered animal bones and coral, are mostly tax-free.

2. fruits and vegetables, food

The tax rate for dried fruits and nuts is 12% or 25%, and individual varieties are exempt from tax.

The tax rate of some varieties of vegetables is 16%, and many varieties are exempt from tax.

Wheat and corn are subject to import surcharge and the rest are exempt from customs duties.

Wheat flour, gluten and miscellaneous grains are duty-free.

Poppy seed was reduced from 28% to 25% in 1994.

Tea is tax free and a small portion of coffee is taxed.

3. animal and vegetable oils, animal and plant wax

Most of these varieties are tax-free or low tax rates, of which the whale oil tax rate is 12%.

4. preparation of food, soft drinks, alcohol, tobacco and products

Fish and meat products: fish tax rate is generally 20%, but not less than 0.42 kg per kilogram Kerr, both quality certificates and import licenses are required, and many varieties need to pay import surtax.

The rate of shrimp and crab is 40%, and import license is required.

Most of the sugar products are taxed at 10% to 18%, and will be reduced by 10% to 14% in the future.

The tax rate for miscellaneous foods is 12%.

The duty on alcohol used in hospitals and clinics is 45%.

The other liquor is subject to a tariff of 131%.

The highest tariff rate for tobacco and its products is still 240%.

5. chemicals and pharmaceuticals

Because of the lack of chemical raw materials in Israel, in order to meet the needs of the development of its chemical industry, the tax exemption for most chemicals is taken, and the tax rate of some chemicals is 12%.

However, in order to prevent some chemical drugs from entering their territory, the import of certain chemical products must be submitted to relevant departments and police stations for approval.

Drugs are generally not subject to customs duties, but the highest tax rate for individual drugs is 30%.

In order to import drugs strictly, all imported drugs must conform to the British Pharmacopoeia BP standard or the FDA standard of the United States or have to go through the relevant formalities, and can be approved by the Ministry of health and the inspection of the drug department (inspection fee 1500 thanks Kerr).

The tax rate for medical disposable syringes, medical latex gloves, pharmaceutical raw materials and health products is 12%, plus 17% VAT.

No tax on wheelchair.

The duty rate for dental chairs is 8%, plus 17% VAT.

6. building materials

Timber and primary timber are partially duty-free, and the rate of individual timber has dropped to 12% in 1999.

7. textiles

All silk, raw materials, yarn and fabrics are duty-free.

Pure wool and yarn are tax exempt.

All flax goods are duty-free.

Clothing import tariffs are expected to drop to 12% by 2000.

The import duty on shoes has been reduced to 12%.

The duty on toys is 12%.

The duty rate of knitted goods or crochet knitted fabrics is reduced to 17%.

Hat class: the tax rate for the purpose of religious purposes is 10%, and the future tariff rate is 8%.

Except for 10% of the large umbrellas, all umbrellas, such as umbrellas and crutches, are tax-free.