FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

IMPORTS

I would like to import to Israel. Where can I find information about importing to Israel, licensing, etc.?

Extensive information can be found on the web site of the Import Policy Department and particularly through the First time Importing into Israel.

Where can I find information on duties and taxes which need to be paid on products I would like to import?

If you know the HS code of the product you would like to import, please use the customs tariff of the Israel Tax Authority to find out what are the duties and purchase taxes on the product, according to the country you are importing from. If you don't know the HS code of the product you would like to import, please refer to the information appearing on the web site of the Israel Tax Authority: Receiving Classification Information from the Department of Customs & Vat.

When importing from which countries is an import license required?

Information on this subject can be found here. More information can be found on the web site of the Import Policy Department.

Which imported products require an import license?

If you know the HS code of the product you would like to import, please refer to the search engine of Annex I of the Free Import Order (in Hebrew) and the search engine of Annex II of the Free Import Order (in Hebrew) to find out if a license is needed for this product and which entity issues this license. To find the contact details of the relevant government officials who issue licenses please refer to the list of contacts regarding the Free Import Order (in Hebrew).

I'm a local Israeli producer who's been harmed by cheap imports to Israel. Where can I find information about dealing with this problem?

The Trade Levies Department deals with this issue. Please refer to the Department's site (mostly in Hebrew).

EXPORTS

How can I determine if a product I would like to export to the European Union (EU) is considered an Israeli product (that the country of origin of the product is Israel)?

Israel and the EU have a Free Trade Area (FTA) Agreement between them. According to this agreement products originating from Israel are given preferential custom duty rates (Israeli products are usually exempt except for agricultural products) when imported into the EU.

In order to be entitled to exemption from custom duties a product must adhere to the rules of origin set out in the agreement. This usually entails both a change in the product's classification (the finished product is classified differently than the raw materials used to create it) and added value.

To determine the relevant rule of origin for your product you must know the classification of this product upon entering the EU. Then you must check Annex I of the Rules of Origin Protocol to find the relevant rule of origin for your product. Proof of Origin (a certificate of origin or an exporter's declaration, see Annexes III and IV) is required to be sent with the product. More information on this issue can be found by following this link.

I need assistance to export my product abroad. Who should I contact?

The Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor (MOITAL) operates a network of 30 economic and trade representatives around the world. These representatives are dedicated to the encouragement and development of trade between Israel and its trade partners and will assist you in your activities abroad – locating importers, distributors and agents and also with your contacts with local authorities. In countries without economic representatives from MOITAL assistance is given by representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A list of the economic representatives from MOITAL and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs can be found here and a list of the web sites of the economic offices can be found here.

Israel's Trade Agreements

Where can I find information on Israel's FTA Agreements, agreements accompanying the FTAs, FTAs under negotiations and QIZ agreements?

Extensive information on these topics can be found on the web site of the Bilateral Agreements Department. The site is divided into sections referring to each of the countries or trade blocks Israel has FTAs with – Canada, EFTA (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland), EU, Egypt, Jordan, Mexico, Turkey, U.S.A, and Mercosur (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Venezuela).

Where can I find a complete list of Israel's economic agreements (FTAs, Agreements for the avoidance of double taxation, Agreements for the mutual protection of investments, R&D agreements, etc.)?

A list of these agreements can be found by following this link.

Economic Representatives

I'm looking for information about Israel's economic representative abroad. Where can I find this information?

The ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor (MOITAL) operates a network of 30 economic representatives abroad. Their duty is to encourage and assist the development of trade between Israel and other countries and assist Israeli exporters in their activities abroad. In places where there are no representatives from MOITAL representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs based abroad in Israel's embassies will be able to assist you. A list the economic representatives from MOITAL and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs can be found here.

I'm looking for the web sites of the economic misssions. Where can I find a list of these web sites and what information can be found on these sites?

Each economic mission has a website with information about the services given by the office, economic information on the country where the economic mission is located, information on Israel's economic agreements with this country, business opportunities, exhibitions and events, useful links and other relevant information. A list of links to these websites can be found here.

I would like to contact an economic mission in a certain country. What should I do? What information should I give the economic office so that they can best assist me?

Instructions how to contact an economic mission can be found here. We recommend you fill out the form which appears here when contacting an economic mission. Filling out this form will enable the staff of the economic mission to better assist you.

Commercial information, economic reviews, business opportunities in Israel and in countries around the world

Where can I find economic reviews on various countries and on Israel's trade relations with these countries?

Economic reviews by country (in Hebrew) can be found here.

Where can I find information on business opportunities, exhibitions, useful links, economic agreements, etc. in a certain country?

Information can be found on the websites of the economic missions. Each economic mission has a website with information about the services given by the office, economic information on the country where the economic mission is located, information on Israel's economic agreements with this country, business opportunities, exhibitions and events, useful links and other relevant information. A list of links to these websites can be found here.

Where can I find articles on Israel's foreign trade?

Please refer to the virtual library on our website. Articles on the subject in both English and Hebrew are listed there.

Where can I find a list of useful links of other entities dealing with foreign trade in Israel?

A list of useful links can be found here. A list of foreign embassies in Israel can be found here.

Where can I find the publications put out by the Foreign Trade Administration?

Please go to this link for a list of our publications in English and in Hebrew.

The Foreign Trade Administration

Where can I find information about the areas of activity of the Foreign Trade Administration?

A short review on this subject can be found here.

Where can I find a list of contact people at the Foreign Trade Administration?

A list of contact people appears here.

Where can I find the publications put out by the Foreign Trade Administration?

Please go to this link for a list of our publications in English and in Hebrew.

Where can I find information about exhibitions and events in Israel and abroad which are supported by the Foreign Trade Administration or in which the Foreign Trade Administration is involved in?

A list of exhibitions and events in Israel appears here. A list of activities initiated by us (in Hebrew) can be found here.

Events and exhibitions in Israel and abroad

Where can I find information about exhibitions and events in Israel and abroad which are supported by the Foreign Trade Administration or in which the Foreign Trade Administration is involved in?

A list of exhibitions and events in Israel appears here. A list of activities initiated by us (in Hebrew) can be found here.

Foreign Investments in Israel

How can "Invest in Israel" assist me?

Invest in Israel, the investment promotion center of Israel’s Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor, serves as a focal point for foreign based companies and individuals interested in investigating direct investment and joint venture opportunities in Israel. The center works closely with potential and current investors before, during and after the investment process and serves as a resource for investment related information about Israel.

Why should I investment in Israel?

Israel's investor-friendly business environment, combined with its track record for profit-driving innovations and technological breakthroughs, continues to attract one of the highest amounts of venture capital in the world. Supported by the highest ratio of R&D investment as a percentage of GDP and one of the most highly educated and skilled workforce in the world, Israel provides leading multinationals with a growth engine for their businesses.

The Israeli government offers foreign investors customized investment grants, R&D grants and tax benefits.

How do I contact Invest in Israel?

Invest in Israel's central offices are located in Jerusalem, Israel and can be reached at:

Tel: +972-2-6662607

Email: infoipc@moital.gov.il

Please visit the Invest in Israel website at www.investinisrael.gov.il

Information can also be received through Israel's Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor economic attachés positioned throughout the world. Locations and contact information can be located on the Invest in Israel website and here.

Research and Development (R&D)

Where can I find information about Israel's R&D funds and agreements?

Information on this subject can be found on the website of the Chief Scientist Office and on the websites of the economic offices.

Cadet course for economic representatives

Where can I find information about the cadet course for economic representatives?

The Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor holds a three months cadet course for economic representatives every two or three years. The next course is expected to open by the end of 2007 or the beginning of 2008. More information (in Hebrew) on this subject is given in this presentation.