For most people making aliyah, the practicalities of physically moving their life to Israel — furniture, clothing, books, appliances, personal possessions — centre on what Israelis call “the lift.” The term comes from the Hebrew word for elevator (ma’alit), and it refers to the shipping container or air freight shipment that carries your household goods to Israel. As a new Oleh Chadash, you are entitled to import your personal belongings and household goods free of import tax and customs duties — one of the most practically valuable but least understood Oleh benefits. This guide explains how the lift works, what’s exempt, how to plan the move, and what to expect at Israeli customs.
The Customs Exemption for Olim
Under Israeli immigration law, every new Oleh Chadash is entitled to import personal and household effects duty-free, one time, within a defined window around their aliyah. This exemption covers: clothing and personal items, furniture and household furnishings, electrical appliances and electronics, books, musical instruments, sports equipment, and a personal vehicle (subject to separate rules — see our guide to the Oleh car benefit). The exemption is granted once — you cannot split the shipment across multiple duty-free imports beyond the initial window.
The eligibility window for the customs exemption runs from three months before your official aliyah date to one year after your aliyah date. Items must have been owned and used by you — not purchased new solely for the move — for the exemption to apply in full. New or unused items shipped in the lift may be subject to partial duties. The spirit of the exemption is for personal and household goods that formed part of your established home, not wholesale shopping before the move.
Sea Freight vs. Air Freight
The two main shipping options for Olim are sea freight (container shipping — the “lift” proper) and air freight. Sea freight is by far the most common and cost-effective for larger quantities of household goods. A standard 20-foot container can hold the contents of a moderate-sized apartment; a 40-foot container covers a large house. Many Olim with smaller shipments use a groupage (shared container) service, where their goods share space with other Olim’s shipments, significantly reducing costs.
Air freight is faster — typically 1–2 weeks versus 4–8 weeks for sea freight — but significantly more expensive per kilogram and practical only for smaller, high-priority shipments. Many Olim use a combination: fly with extra luggage or send a small air freight shipment with immediately essential items (important documents, clothing, children’s comfort items), then follow with a sea freight container for the bulk of household goods.
Sea Freight Transit Times
Transit times depend significantly on origin country. From the UK and Western Europe, sea freight to Haifa or Ashdod typically takes 3–5 weeks from the date the container is sealed. From the US East Coast, transit is typically 4–6 weeks; from the US West Coast or Canada, 6–8 weeks. From Australia or South Africa, expect 5–8 weeks. Add 1–3 weeks for pickup and packing at your origin, and potentially 2–4 weeks for clearance and delivery in Israel. Total door-to-door time is often 8–14 weeks. Plan accordingly — you will be living in Israel for several months before your lift arrives.
Choosing a Shipping Company
Use an international removal company with specific experience in Israeli aliyah shipping — the Israeli customs process has particular requirements that companies unfamiliar with it may handle incorrectly. Major companies with established Israel aliyah operations include Allied Van Lines, Crown Relocations, and Aldan International Logistics, alongside numerous Israel-specialist companies. Ask prospective companies: How many aliyah lifts do you handle per year? Do you have an Israeli partner agent at the destination port? Will you handle the customs clearance paperwork, or will I need to hire a separate customs agent (comar)? What insurance is included?
Get quotes from at least three companies. A groupage service from the UK or US might cost USD 2,000–5,000 depending on volume; a full 20-foot container from the US typically costs USD 5,000–10,000. Israeli customs agents (comarim) charge NIS 800–2,000 for clearance services. Some removal companies include customs clearance in their all-in price; others charge separately.
What to Include — and What to Leave Behind
Most household goods are eligible for duty-free import. Items requiring special attention: firearms (subject to Israeli licensing requirements), alcohol (limited quantities permitted duty-free), pets (must travel as live animals — see below), plants and organic material (subject to agricultural quarantine inspection), and commercial quantities of any goods (the exemption is for personal and household use only).
Electricals require thought. Israel uses 220V/50Hz power (Type H plugs — three flat pins in a Y configuration, unique to Israel). Appliances from the US and Canada (110V/60Hz) will not work without a voltage converter. Many Olim from North America choose to sell their large appliances and purchase Israeli-spec appliances locally — particularly washing machines, dryers, refrigerators, and ovens. Electronics (laptops, cameras, phones) are generally dual-voltage and travel without issue. UK and European appliances (220V) work electrically but require a socket adaptor.
The Packing and Inventory Process
Israeli customs requires a detailed inventory (reshimat tochet) of all items in the shipment. Your removal company will typically provide packing and inventory services. Every box must be labelled and listed. The inventory is submitted to Israeli customs as part of the duty-free exemption application. Accuracy matters — customs officials spot-check containers, and significant discrepancies between the declared inventory and actual contents can delay clearance and potentially trigger duties. Keep copies of every document: the packing list, bill of lading, your Teudat Oleh, and the customs exemption application.
What Happens at Israeli Customs
On arrival in Israel, your shipment passes through customs at the port of entry (typically Haifa or Ashdod). Your Israeli customs agent (comar) handles the paperwork and clearance process — you will not typically need to be present at the port. The agent submits the customs exemption application with your Teudat Oleh documentation and the shipment inventory. Processing typically takes 1–3 weeks, during which the container is held at the port (storage fees may accumulate — ask about this in advance). Once clearance is granted, the container is trucked to your Israeli address and unloaded.
Insurance
Marine transit insurance is strongly recommended for any sea freight shipment. Standard removal company liability is typically limited and may not cover full replacement value. Full-value marine insurance adds a modest percentage to the shipping cost (typically 1–3% of the declared value of the goods) and provides significantly better protection in case of damage or loss during transit. Declare an accurate replacement value — under-insuring to save on premiums is a common mistake that becomes painful if a claim is needed.
How long do I have to send my lift after making aliyah?
The customs exemption for household goods can be used from 3 months before your aliyah date up to 1 year after your aliyah date. It is the arrival date at the Israeli port that matters, not the date you packed or shipped. If you expect your container to arrive close to the 12-month deadline, discuss with your customs agent — applications for extensions are possible but not guaranteed.
Do I need a customs agent (comar) to clear my lift?
Yes — a licensed Israeli customs agent (comar) is required to process customs clearance. You cannot clear the goods yourself directly. Some removal companies provide this as part of their package price; others require you to hire one separately. Budget NIS 800–2,000 for customs clearance fees, plus any port storage fees if clearance is delayed.
Can I send a second shipment after my first lift?
The duty-free customs exemption is a one-time benefit. A second shipment of household goods will be subject to standard Israeli import duties. For this reason, most Olim try to consolidate everything into a single shipment. Items shipped as personal luggage in your checked bags when you fly are generally not counted against the lift exemption.
Should I bring my 110V North American appliances to Israel?
Generally no — large appliances are not worth bringing from North America. Israel uses 220V/50Hz power, and running 110V appliances on converters is inefficient and unreliable. The cost of buying Israeli-spec washing machines, refrigerators, and ovens locally is often lower than the combined shipping and converter cost. Electronics (laptops, tablets, phones) are almost always dual-voltage (look for “100–240V” on the power brick) and can be brought without issue using an inexpensive socket adaptor.
Can I bring my pets in the lift?
No — pets must travel as live animals, not cargo in a shipping container. Israel has specific veterinary import requirements: dogs and cats must be microchipped, vaccinated against rabies with documentation, and accompanied by a health certificate issued within a defined period before travel. Requirements vary by species and country of origin. Contact the Israeli Ministry of Agriculture’s Veterinary Services (SHAHAM) for current requirements for your specific country and animal.
What is the cheapest way to ship a small amount of belongings to Israel?
For small quantities, a groupage service — where your goods share a container with other Olim’s shipments — is the most cost-effective option. Several companies specialise in Oleh groupage services. For very small quantities, international couriers (FedEx, DHL) are an option but become expensive quickly. Excess airline luggage (paying for additional checked bags) is often the most practical option for a small number of high-priority items.