The Customs Tax Grant is a monetary grant that is instead of the exemption from taxes on household electrical appliances, that is given to immigrants from certain countries, according to the attached list.
Those eligible for the customs grant can also bring furniture and household items (e.g. electrical appliances) with them from overseas.
Who is eligible for the Customs Grant and the conditions for receiving it
Method of payment
Terms of grant
List of Countries that confer eligibility
Table of Customs Tax Grant
Who is eligible for the Customs Grant and the conditions for receiving it
The Customs Grant is granted to immigrants who came to Israel after 30.11.1990. Immigrants who entered Israel under another permit and who changed their status within one year of their final entry into Israel.
Immigrants who are over 17 years old upon becoming an oleh.
Immigrants who came to Israel from countries that confer eligibility for the Customs Grant.
Children of immigrants aged 23 and up.
Immigrants who married within their first year since their aliyah.
Immigrants who did not spend time in a country that is not on the list of countries that confer eligibility prior to making aliyah.
The amount of the Customs Grant is fixed both for an individual and for a family.
Also eligible for a Customs Grant are:
An Immigrant Citizen who meets all the criteria.
A Returning Minor who meets all the criteria.
Method of Payment
Immigrants whose eligibility to receive a Customs Grant was established in the airport will receive the first installment at the airport.
Immigrants whose eligibility for a Customs Grant was established at the Ministry of Immigration bureau will receive the first installment credited to his bank account.
The second installment will be transferred to the immigrant's bank account after 12 months.
An immigrant who for some reason did not receive the balance of the grant in his bank account should contact the Ministry of Immigration branch nearest to their place of residence.
Period of Eligibility for the Customs Tax Grant
Immigrants are entitled to receive the grant within four years of their immigration to Israel.
Period of eligibility for receiving the Customs Tax Grant
In 2002, the sum of the grant were amended.
Immigrants who arrived on and after 1.1.2002 will receive the grant unconditionally.
For Immigrants who arrived before 31.12.01, a customs grant will be given as a loan that becomes a grant 3 years after receiving the first installment, and two years after the receiving the second installment.
Note: These conditions changed in February 2003 and the assistance became a full grant for those who received the previous amount.
Immigrants who are entitled to the Customs Tax Grant and who brought a container to Israel with electrical household appliances, must pay customs and import taxes as required.
Additional information on matters connected to the customs tax may be obtained at the customs tax offices and on the Customs Tax Internet website.
Additional information on the Customs Tax Grant may be obtained from the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption coordinators and for "Absorption Basket" brochures that are published in Russian and Spanish - see Catalogue of Publications.
Remember, this is only general information. In the case of any differences between these details and the existing laws and regulations - the latter will prevail.
List of Countries that confer eligibility
Eastern Europe: the FSU (includes all countries in the Former Soviet Union) Poland, Romania, Yugoslavia (all countries in former Yugoslavia), Bulgaria, Albania, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary.
Africa: Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia.
Asia: Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, China, India, and Iran.
Latin America: Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, Brazil, Cuba, Ecuador, Paraguay, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia.Venezuela, Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador, the Dominican Republic.
Ethiopian Immigrant families will receive help according to special Absorption Basket regulations.
An immigrant is eligible to receive assistance provided he spent less than one year in a country that is not on the above list, prior to his entry to Israel.
Table of Customs Tax Grant