Vehicle Importing

Bring your valuable vehicles to Israel

Olim have rights to bring one vehicle (car or motorcycle) from any country within 3 years of their aliyah. Cars of all sizes are taxed at the same rate, except for those valued over NIS 300,000.  Taxes are about 80% (instead of 127-144%) of the value at origin less depreciation plus shipping and insurance.  Depreciation is about 20% for the first year and 10% for each year following to a maximum of 80% after 10 years.     Olim can bring cars of any age or description, as long as it has clear title (no leases),  ESP/C (electronic stability protection), and a clean history of no accidents.  You must get a letter (we do this for you) from a repair garage that can provide service and acquire parts, not necessarily quickly or for free.   Olim must have a valid foreign license for at least 3 years, and they have one year to get an Israeli license.

A car does not count as one of the three tax-free shipments, and Olim have no special reduction on hybrid cars, since everyone pays only 45%. Tourists and students pay no taxes, but tourists must take the car (and themselves) out of the country every year for 3 month and students can keep the car, as long as they keep that status.

 Visa, Age & Tax Guidelines

Tax rates are subject to change.

  1. Oleh                      no limit on year     ~ 80% tax
  2. Toshav Hozer       max 4 years old       ~ 114-129% tax
  3. Regular citizen      max 2 years old     ~ 114-129% tax

      The age limit on the following is per the list above.

Current tax rates (2021) :
Hybrid 114%-129%
Plug in Hybrid 64% – 75%
Electric: 29% – 38%
Olim get a 25% discount on the tax

We expect taxes on Hybrid and Electric to increase each year until 2024, when the tax will reach 83%.

You will need the following documents:

Actual physical bill of sale from dealer/seller

Copies of the following:

  1. Proof of Payment
  2. Clear Title (no liens or leases)
  3. Photograph of the stickers on the inside of the car door
  4. Proof that an original ESP/ESC [Electronic Stability Program/Control] system is installed in the car
  5. CarFax report  – clean, no accidents
  6. Tourists, Students, and Olim require foreign drivers license(s) going back at least 3 years.
  7. Israelis and Olim must present a copy of a valid Israeli driver’s license* and their Teudat Zehut.
  8. *Olim must commit to getting an Israeli driver’s license during their first year of aliyah and present a Teudat Oleh, if using Oleh tax benefits.
  9. Israeli Power of Attorney signed in the presence of our Israeli Customs Clearer

Motorcycles:  must be less than 24 months old upon arrival in Israel

Contact Us to get a car import quote.

Read more helpful info on the Kef Blog