Shipping to Israel: Costs, Delivery Times, Customs & Practical Tips

Israel is an attractive market for German online stores and international e-commerce businesses outside the EU. Goods sent from Germany therefore require customs clearance. Costs and delivery times depend on weight, dimensions and dimensional weight, carrier and service, product type and value, complete customs data and the recipient’s exact address.

Recommended Carriers for Shipping to Israel

The right carrier depends on shipment volume, required transit time, product type, and destination area. Before booking, check which services are currently available for the specific route.

DHL Parcel and DHL Express to Israel

DHL offers regular parcel and express services. For DHL Parcel, the provider currently gives 12–16 working days as a general transit-time estimate. In Israel, Israel Post handles onward processing. Express is more suitable for time-sensitive shipments. Current transit times, dimensions, and delivery information are available in the DHL country information for Israel.

UPS Standard and Express Shipping to Israel

UPS offers international services for regular and time-critical B2B shipments. Fuel, extended-area, and other surcharges may be added to the transport price. Online stores should therefore compare the total cost for the specific shipment, not just the base rate. Available services range from standard to faster international options.

FedEx Shipping to Israel

FedEx provides international express and less time-sensitive services. Price and availability depend on destination, product type, weight, and dimensions. Non-standard or especially large shipments may incur additional charges.

Postal Shipping to Israel

Postal services can be economical for less urgent goods. Transit times are generally longer than with express services. Handover to the local postal operator and import clearance can add extra time.

Pallet and Freight Shipping to Israel

Pallets, multiple packages, or bulky commercial goods should be planned as freight shipments. Depending on the volume and urgency, air freight or another forwarding solution may be suitable. The calculation should include collection, export and import customs clearance, and final delivery. 

How Much Does It Cost to Send a Parcel to Israel?

There is no single answer to the question “how much does it cost to send a parcel to Israel?”. Shipping costs to Israel depend on weight and dimensions, service, collection or drop-off, insurance, customs-related services, destination and optional extras. For large but lightweight shipments, dimensional weight also matters: it reflects the space a parcel occupies in relation to its actual weight. Depending on the carrier, the higher of actual and dimensional weight may be used for pricing.

*Indicative values only. Customs clearance, transport capacity, public holidays and destination can affect the actual transit time.

If you want to send a parcel to Israel, calculate the shipping costs based on the actual shipment data and compare several services. A cheaper-looking tariff can become less attractive once surcharges or longer transit times are taken into account.

How Long Does Shipping to Israel Take?

The shipping time to Israel cannot be reduced to one fixed number. Standard and postal services usually take longer than express. For parcel delivery to Israel, customs clearance and destination also affect the schedule. The parcel delivery time to Israel can increase if customs information is missing or the recipient must be contacted for import clearance.

For checkout communication, a realistic delivery window is therefore more useful than a fixed delivery date. For time-critical orders, choose a service with a reliable transit-time estimate and detailed tracking.

Customs When Shipping to Israel

Because Israel is not part of the EU, goods sent from Germany must go through customs clearance. When handling customs for shipments to Israel, online stores should provide an accurate product description, the correct HS code, a realistic customs value, the country of origin, and complete recipient details.

For commercial exports from Germany, an important value and weight threshold applies. If a shipment exceeds EUR 1,000 in value or has a net mass exceeding 1,000 kg, an electronic export declaration is generally required through the German ATLAS export system. If neither limit is exceeded, an oral export declaration may be possible under certain conditions. Prohibitions, restrictions, and special customs procedures can still create additional requirements.

Companies filing customs declarations need an EORI number for the relevant procedures. More information is available in the German Customs information sheet on customs declarations and EORI.

What Documents Are Required for Shipping to Israel?

A commercial invoice is generally required for commercial goods. It should include seller and recipient details, invoice number and date, an accurate product description, quantity, value and currency, country of origin and HS code. It does not automatically replace a required export declaration or other documents requested by the carrier or customs authorities.

Depending on the goods, value and shipping method, additional documents may include:

• packing list,
• transport document,
• electronic export declaration where required,
• proof of origin or preferential origin,
• product-specific permits or certificates.

For postal shipments, CN22 or CN23 may also be relevant. Courier services transfer a lot of customs data electronically. Commercial invoice, shipment data, and customs declaration should always be consistent.

Import Duties and Taxes in Israel

Import duties in Israel depend on product type, tariff classification, value, origin, and import type. The standard Israeli VAT rate has been 18% since 2025. Depending on the product, customs duty, purchase tax or clearance fees may also apply.

The frequently mentioned USD 75 exemption applies to personal imports. Online stores should not automatically apply it to commercial e-commerce shipments. More information is available in the Israel Tax Authority guide to personal import.

Goods with EU preferential origin may qualify for preferential customs treatment under the EU–Israel Association Agreement if the relevant conditions are met. Proof may include EUR.1, EUR-MED or, in certain cases, an origin declaration on the invoice. For originating goods with a value of up to EUR 6,000, such an invoice declaration may be possible under the applicable conditions. Further details are available in the German Customs country information for Israel.

Online stores should also determine who pays import duties and taxes and communicate this clearly to customers. Unexpected charges increase the risk of delivery refusal.

What Cannot Be Shipped to Israel?

Israeli import rules and the selected carrier’s conditions must be checked. Particular attention is required for:

• weapons and ammunition,
• dangerous goods, flammable substances and aerosols,
• batteries and devices containing lithium batteries,
• alcohol and tobacco products,
• medicines and medical devices,
• food, plants and animal products,
• certain cosmetics or radio equipment.

“Restricted” does not automatically mean “prohibited”. Before dispatch, check whether the specific goods may be imported and whether permits, certificates or special transport conditions are required.

How to Pack a Parcel for Israel Safely

International shipments pass through several handling points, so packaging should withstand mechanical stress during transport:

• use a strong outer carton suitable for the goods,
• fill empty spaces adequately,
• cushion fragile items separately,
• protect liquids against leakage,
• remove old shipping labels and barcodes,
• apply the new shipping label clearly,
• keep required customs documents accessible.

For heavy, fragile, or high-value goods, also check the carrier’s packaging and insurance requirements.

Maximum Parcel Size and Weight for Shipping to Israel

The universal maximum across all carriers does not exist. Limits depend on the carrier and booked service. DHL Paket International, for example, currently lists parcel options to Israel up to 30 kg and regular dimensions up to 120 × 60 × 60 cm. Other providers use their own limits and surcharge models. Current DHL limits are available in the international parcel prices and dimensions overview.

Dimensional weight is also relevant. A large, lightweight parcel can cost more than a compact shipment with the same actual weight. If the goods exceed parcel limits, consider a freight solution.

Address Format for Shipping to Israel

International addresses should be written in Latin characters and use Arabic numerals. Israel uses a seven-digit postal code. The recipient’s phone number and email address should also be provided so the carrier or customs can make contact if necessary.

Example:

M. Ploni Almoni
16 Yafo Street
9422108 JERUSALEM
ISRAEL

The destination country should appear on the final line in capital letters. If you want to send a package to Israel, collect complete recipient details during checkout wherever possible.

Parcel Tracking and Customs Status in Israel

With parcel tracking to Israel, a pause in status updates does not automatically indicate a transport problem. Tracking may remain unchanged between arrival in the destination country, import checks, a request for information from the recipient, and customs release.

Online stores should therefore view transport tracking and customs status together. This makes package delivery to Israel easier to manage and helps customer service react faster if information or documents are missing.

Returns from Israel for German Online Stores

Returns from Israel are more complex than returns within the EU because the goods cross a customs border again. Important information includes a reference to the original order, clear identification as returned goods, correct product and value data, and the original export and import records.

The return carrier, the responsibility for costs, and the internal refund process should also be defined before the first sale. Clear documentation reduces the risk of additional queries when the goods are re-imported into Germany.

Shipping from Germany to Israel with Shipstage

A parcel from Germany to Israel involves more than creating a shipping label. With Shipstage, shipping to Israel from Germany can be managed centrally. Companies can compare shipping options, select suitable carriers, create labels and documents, and track shipments in one place.

Our multi-carrier integrations allow different carriers and sales channels to be managed within one workflow. The Shipstage API also enables integration with existing e-commerce, ERP, or logistics systems.

This reduces manual work, especially for online stores that regularly send parcels to Israel or operate in several international markets at the same time.

FAQ

How Much Does It Cost to Send a Parcel to Israel?

The cost depends on weight, dimensions, dimensional weight, service, destination, customs clearance, and optional services. For a reliable calculation, compare the actual shipment data across suitable services.

How Long Does Shipping to Israel Take?

Express services often take only a few working days, while standard and postal services usually take longer. Customs clearance and current transport capacity can extend the delivery window.

Do I Need Customs Documents to Ship to Israel?

Yes. Commercial goods generally require a commercial invoice and complete customs data. Additional documents may be needed depending on the goods, value, and shipping method.

Will the Recipient Have to Pay Duties or Taxes in Israel?

That depends on product type, value, origin, and agreed delivery terms. Israeli VAT and other import or clearance charges may apply.

Which Carriers Ship Parcels to Israel?

DHL, UPS and FedEx are among the international carriers serving Israel. Postal operators and freight forwarders can also be used for larger or less time-sensitive shipments.

How Do I Address a Parcel to Israel Correctly?

Use Latin characters, the seven-digit Israeli postal code, and a complete address. Put ISRAEL in capital letters on the final line. The recipient’s phone number and email address should also be provided.

Which Goods Cannot Be Shipped to Israel?

Restrictions depend on Israeli import rules and carrier conditions. Dangerous goods, weapons, certain batteries, and regulated products such as food, medicines, or alcohol require particular attention.

Can I Send a Parcel to Tel Aviv or Jerusalem?

Yes, provided the selected carrier serves the specific postal code, and the goods may legally be imported into Israel.

Can I Ship Pallets or Larger Commercial Goods to Israel?

Yes. Freight and forwarding solutions can be used for pallets, heavy shipments, and bulky commercial goods.

How Do Returns from Israel Work for German Online Stores?

Returns are another cross-border customs process. Returned goods should be clearly documented and linked to the original export and import records. The return carrier, cost allocation, and refund process should also be defined in advance.