Ecommerce is a popular concept in Israel owing to the nation’s high internet penetration and GDP. In 2020 alone, an estimated 44% of the Israeli population bought at least one item online.
And since very few domestic vendors offer high-quality products, these customers are keen to source goods from US-based brands.
Do you want to ship a parcel from the US to Israel? Or are considering expanding your business presence to Israel? If yes, then this post is sure to help you make informed, intelligent shipping decisions.
This guide provides information on how to ship a package from the US to Israel, plus tips on how ecommerce brands can better plan international shipping logistics with ShipBob.
Cost & delivery speeds for shipping to Israel from the US
Today, every customer expects free and speedy shipping. But, this costs money. Hence, you need a sound shipping strategy that delights customers without eroding profits.
A big part of that involves choosing the right courier for your online business.
To make it easier for you to make your shipping decisions, below are details of parcel services to Israel offered by the top four couriers. We calculated the following rates using each courier’s pricing calculators for a consistent example of a 2 lbs package in November 2021. Exact prices are subject to change.
Note: These are general options for consumers shipping orders. To know what ShipBob offers when shipping to other countries like Israel, please request a quote here.
ShipBob’s exact rates for customers will vary as we charge an all-in ‘total fulfilment cost’ that includes picking, packing, and shipping, among other factors.
| Service | Price | Delivery Time | |
| USPS | First-Class International | $24.23 | 9-17 business days |
| USPS | Priority Mail International | $54.39 | 3-5 business days |
| USPS* | Priority Mail Express International | $66.93 | 3-5 business days |
| UPS | Worldwide Expedited | $40.06 | 3-4 business days |
| UPS | UPS Worldwide Saver | $46.19 | 3-4 business days |
| DHL | Express Worldwide | $50.30 | 2-4 business days |
*USPS offers flat rate box shipping to Israel. As of Dec. 8, 2021, USPS has temporarily suspended the guarantee on Priority Mail Express International to Israel and other destination. Please check USPS’s service alerts for the latest.
How to choose a shipping courier
When formulating your shipping strategy, be sure to choose a courier that balances the needs of your business with that of the customer.
Depending on the size, type, and weight of your products and target audience, you could employ the services of one or more of these parcel companies:
Couriers | Pros | Cons |
| USPS |
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| FedEx |
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| UPS |
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| DHL |
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Shipping to Israel from the US with USPS
USPS is a well-known courier with a great domestic footprint and some of the lowest shipping rates. It delivers to over 180+ countries, including Israel, and offers tracking and insurance.
When to use USPS to ship from the US to Israel
For an affordable delivery option to Israel, choose USPS. It’s especially great for heavy, non-fragile shipments that don’t necessarily need to reach the destination immediately.
USPS’ Priority Mail Express International enables you to deliver shipments within 3 to 5 days at less than half the rate charged by DHL, FedEx, or UPS. And if you have a more urgent shipment that needs to reach customers within 1 to 3 days, choose USPS GXG Envelopes.
Shipping to Israel from the US with UPS
One of the largest global shipping and logistics companies, UPS is a reliable partner for your international shipping needs. It offers accurate last-mile tracking and great deals on bulk shipments to Israel.
When to use UPS to ship from the US to Israel
Many times, you just want a service that will guarantee convenient and on-time delivery of your parcel, even if it means higher tariffs. UPS is a good option for such situations.
UPS Worldwide Saver and UPS Worldwide Express enable 1-3 day delivery, while with UPS Worldwide Expedited it takes 2-5 days for the parcel to reach your customers in Israel.
Shipping to Israel from the US with FedEx
Offering next-day delivery across hundreds of markets worldwide, including Israel, FedEx is a top choice for international businesses in the US. It also offers free services that guide you through Israel’s customs.
When to use FedEx to ship from the US to Israel
Choose FedEx’s International Priority service if you want to ensure that your parcel reaches its destination within 2 days. Thanks to its strong US presence, merchants can easily drop off your parcels for shipment at locations close to their business.
Shipping to Israel from the US with DHL
The German-headquartered DHL is favoured by those businesses that value the quality and speed of shipping services and are willing to pay a premium for it. Since it doesn’t employ independent contractors in the destination country, there are seldom delays in delivery or tracking issues.
When to use DHL to ship from the US to Israel
DHL one-time shipping to Israel is an expensive option. But, thanks to its green logistics focus, it is ideal for environmentally conscious businesses. It also offers a few comprehensive and fee-based customs services and support for greater ease of exporting.
Duties & taxes when shipping to Israel from the US
If you are exporting goods to Israel, be prepared to pay 17% VAT. The nation’s tax and duty threshold are $75. Additionally, some imported items will attract customs duty, as outlined below:
| Fees | Description |
| 12% | Health and beauty |
| 5% | Pet accessories |
| 5% | Dry food and supplements |
| 6% | Home appliances |
| 12% | Home decors |
| 10% | Dry food and supplements |
Israel customs information
When shipping goods from the US to Israel, you need to compulsorily submit the Invoice Declaration for U.S. exports to Israel. Not only will this grant you preferential tariff and documentation treatment but also helps you avoid long delays after the goods reach Israel.
Merchants who transship goods via third countries should also get a Certificate of Non-Manipulation from the customs authority of those third countries, to gain preferential tariff.
Additionally, you would be expected to submit commercial invoice forms, bill of lading, and packing list.To find out more about the nation’s customs dos and don’ts click here.
Prohibited items when shipping to Israel
As with most countries, Israel too limits the import of goods that poses a risk to human health, public morals, environment, and security.
Some restricted items need relevant permission to import, meanwhile here is a list of some goods that are completely prohibited from being exported to Israel.
Items you can’t ship to Israel from the US |
| Hazardous material |
| Goods that have a false commercial description |
| Firearms and weapons |
| Licentious or indecent films |
| Counterfeit or imitation currency notes, banknotes, or coins |
| Tickets or publicity items for lottery or gambling |
The list of prohibited and restricted items keeps changing, so be sure to check with Israel’s customs authorities before shipping your goods.
What ecommerce businesses need to know about shipping to Israel
Clearly, there is immense untapped ecommerce opportunity in Israel for international merchants to tap into.
To help your business achieve high growth in this new market, here are a few things for you to keep in mind:
- When importing into Israel, you need to make provisions on your ecommerce portal to enable customers to pay by credit and debit cards, PayPal, or eWallets.
- Your ecommerce app or website’s content should also be translated into Hebrew, as the Israeli population is more comfortable conducting transactions in the local language.
- During big festivals like Hanukkah, New Year’s, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday, you need to manage your shipping pipeline effectively, as there is likely to be a surge in orders due to sales.
- Apart from the big four, you may consider tying up with local courier partners like TNT, Chita Delivery, and Aramex Aqaba for better last-mile delivery.
- Israelis are heavy social media users, so your marketing plan must include regular communication with customers via these platforms.
Outsource shipping and logistics to a 3PL like ShipBob
When selling internationally, if you want a partner that can help you secure the best shipping rates and delivery time, then choose a 3PL like ShipBob.
We not only take care of picking, packing, and shipping your orders to Israel but also offer realistic upfront fulfilment costs that include customs, duties, and additional taxes.
By partnering with ShipBob, you eliminate the need to manage retail fulfilment, logistics operations, and hire labour.
Working with ShipBob can actually turn logistics and warehousing into a revenue driver because you can increase sales and offer the shipping options, transit times, and delivery speeds that customers want.
The best part about partnering with ShipBob is you get time back to focus on more strategic initiatives, such as customer service and marketing.
“As we’ve grown internationally and in our general order volume, we’ve seen satisfaction go up. ShipBob was a key player and significant partner in helping manage what became unmanageable when we were shipping orders out ourselves.”
Matt Dryfhout, Founder & CEO of BAKblade
Ready to start shipping to Israel from the US? Get started with ShipBob.
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Shipping to Israel FAQs
Here are answers to the top questions people have about shipping packages to Israel from the US.
What’s the cheapest way to ship to Israel from the US?
USPS Priority Mail International is the cheapest way to ship to Israel from the US, but the delivery time is 6 to 10 days. USPS also has an affordable Priority Mail International option that delivers within 3 to 5 days.
What’s the cheapest way to ship large packages to Israel from the US?
Owing to USPS’ flat rate shipping, even larger packages can be affordably shipped to Israel. Rates are shared based on the size of the box.
What’s the fastest way to ship a package to Israel from the US?
FedEx International Priority, UPS Worldwide Saver, and UPS Worldwide Express deliver packages in under 3 days.
Do I have to pay customs duties and fees when shipping to Israel from the US?
Customs duty is levied on goods such as health and beauty, pet accessories, dry food and supplements, and home appliances. And a 17% VAT is also imposed on goods valued at more than $75.
What’s the easiest way to ship something to Israel from the US?
UPS offers convenient 1 to 3-day shipping and it also has reliable last-mile tracking. But, for more affordable service, with hundreds of domestic drop-off locations, you could choose USPS.
Alternatively, outsource end-to-end order fulfilment to a 3PL so that you won’t ever have to worry about choosing the right couriers or ensuring on-time delivery.
