Making Aliyah with Ofek Israeli? Here’s What to Know About Shipping Your Belongings to Israel

You’ve taken the step. Whether you’re enrolling in a degree program at Bar-Ilan University, joining an intensive ulpan at Brodetsky House in Tel Aviv, or starting a new professional chapter in Israel through the Ofek Israeli program – one of the first practical questions you’ll face is: what do I do with my belongings?

This guide explains what Ofek Israeli is, what import rights you’re entitled to as a new Oleh, and how Kef International – Israel’s oldest Aliyah shipping company – can help you make the move with confidence.

What Is Ofek Israeli?

Ofek Israeli is a public benefit company established by the World Zionist Organization and the Jewish Agency for Israel, led by the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration. Founded following a 2015 government decision, its mission is to serve as Israel’s national project to encourage Aliyah from all countries of the world.

Since its establishment, approximately 200,000 immigrants from 28 countries have made Aliyah through the programs Ofek Israeli supports. The company operates with an annual budget of tens of millions of shekels, channeled through the Jewish Agency and the World Zionist Organization.

Kef International – Shipping to Israel Since 1979

Founded in 1979 Kef International is the oldest Aliyah shipping company in Israel, based in Jerusalem. For over 45 years, Kef has specialized in relocating thousands of families and individuals to and from Israel – and every member of their staff is an Oleh themselves.

That matters. When you call Kef, you speak with someone who has been through the process personally – who understands what it means to pack up a life in one country and rebuild it in another. Kef’s approach is built on three principles: integrity, clarity, and service.

What Kef Offers

  • Full door-to-door service – packing at your home abroad through delivery to your new Israeli address
  • Partial shipments (LCL) and full containers (FCL), tailored to the size of your move
  • Storage solutions for Olim who aren’t ready to ship immediately
  • Marine insurance to protect your belongings in transit
  • Customs clearance in Israel – Kef guides you through every document and minimizes port fees
  • A global network of trusted agents built over 45 years
  • No hidden fees – clear price quotes from the start

Why This Matters for Ofek Israeli Participants

Most young Olim joining Ofek Israeli programs arrive with less than a full household. You might be moving into a subsidized ulpan dormitory for the first five months before finding a permanent apartment. Kef understands this pattern and can advise whether a small partial shipment now – electronics, books, personal effects – makes more sense than waiting and shipping everything at once.

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Kef’s pre-move consultation (free) helps you figure out what to bring, what to buy in Israel, and when to ship.

Your Tax-Free Import Rights as a New Oleh

As a new immigrant holding a Teudat Oleh, you are entitled to bring three tax-free shipments of household goods and appliances into Israel from any country, within three years of your Aliyah date. (Israel Tax Authority – Customs for New Immigrants)

What You Can Import Tax-Free

Household effects:

  • Clothing, footwear, bedding, and linens
  • Furniture appropriate to your living space
  • Cooking utensils, pots, pans, flatware, china, and dishes (including Pesach sets)
  • One musical instrument
  • Jewelry and personal effects
  • Personal media collections (records, CDs, DVDs, and similar)
  • Carpets and rugs (subject to customs guidelines based on living space)

Appliances (one of each, per family):

  • Refrigerator, oven, washing machine, dryer, dishwasher, freezer, microwave
  • 3 televisions and 3 computers (including monitor and printer)
  • Up to 5 cell phones per family
  • Stereo system (tuner, amplifier, CD/turntable, cassette deck, speakers or home theatre set)
  • Air conditioners, fans, and heaters – relative to the number of rooms in your new home

Key Rules to Know

  • Items you carry on your Aliyah flight do not count as one of your three shipments – provided you receive your Teudat Oleh at the airport.
  • Your three-year window starts on your Aliyah date, not your enrollment date in Ofek Israeli. Plan accordingly.
  • Students enrolling full-time in an accredited Israeli institution within 18 months of Aliyah may be eligible for an extension of their customs rights period.
  • Every person over age 2 may bring up to $200 worth of goods as gifts each time they re-enter Israel – separate from your three shipments.

Government source links in this article verified against the Israel Tax Authority (gov.il) as of May 7, 2026. Ofek Israeli program details sourced directly from ofekisraeli.org 

Ready to Ship?

The earlier you start planning your shipment, the smoother your move will be. Kef International’s team – all Olim themselves – is available to answer questions, help you figure out what to bring, and put together a quote tailored to your situation. Reach out for a free pre-move consultation and take one more thing off your Aliyah to-do list.

Contact Kef International today, via the form below, for a personalized consultation and a quote for your seamless journey.