Israel

Custom Regulations

There is a two-lane customs transit system, green and red, at Ben Gurion Airport and same in all other land crossing terminals. Visitors who do not have goods to declare may go through the green lane at the exit from the passenger arrival halls.

Articles that do not need to declared:

• Personal clothing, shoes and cosmetics – in quantities that can usually carried in the traveler’s hand baggage.
• Alcoholic beverages – up to 1L for hard liquor and up to 2L for wine, per person above 17 years old.
• Tobacco of all types – up to 250 grams per person above 17 years old.
• Presents and other commodities – items other than alcoholic beverages, alcoholic perfumes, tobacco,  and television sets, costing up to $200, as determined by the custom clerk at the entrance terminal, according  to lists in his possession.
• Food – up to a total weight of 3Kg, with a condition that the weight of each type of food does not exceed 1Kg.
• Additional items such as cameras, binoculars, personal jewelry, musical instruments, camping and/or sports equipment, bicycle and other like articles.

Visitors with goods for which a deposit must be paid for them, the deposit will be refund to them upon departure Israel must go through the red lane. Visitors with items not appearing in the list of duty free items or in the list of taxable items must also go through the red lane and declare them. In case of doubt, the tax authorities recommend going through the red lane. Failure to declare taxable items represents an offense, for which the traveler must pay an administrative fine, be prosecuted or have the goods confiscated.

It is forbidden to import the following items into Israel without a license issued in advance: plants, firearms, raw meat, raw materials, counterfeit currency or documents, knife or penknife not intended for professional use, etc.

Electricity

The power supply in Israel is single phase 220 volts at 50 Hertz. Most power sockets in Israel have three pin holes, but many of them will work with double-pin European plugs. Visitors who want to use shavers, traveling irons and other small appliances may need both transformers and adapter plugs.

What to Bring

Israel is a modern, developed country, and you can purchase virtually anything you need during your stay, including clothing, cosmetics, and hygiene products.

If you are visiting Israel during the summer you will need lightweight clothing – short-sleeved and sleeveless shirts, shorts, sandals, beach shoes and a bathing suit.  It’s also a good idea to pack a sweater or jacket, since nights in the mountains and the desert can be cool.

If you are visiting Israel in the winter, you will need warm clothing, a coat (preferably a raincoat as well), good shoes, an umbrella, gloves, a scarf and other warm clothing.  Weather in Israel is not cold as it is in Europe, but days can be rainy and cold.

It’s a good idea to bring a small bag for day trips.  If you are traveling to Eilat or the Dead Sea, it’s a good idea to bring a bathing suit, since it is warm enough to swim there even in the winter.

Sunscreen, a sun hat, and sunglasses are essential items throughout the year.

If you are planning on hiking, you will need good shoes and a lot of water, either in a canteen or in several bottles. You will need a sleeping bag, tent, and camping equipment only if you are planning on sleeping outdoors.  Most youth hostels supply sheets and blankets.