Countries · IL
Israel: sanctions and trade risk
As of 7 November 2026, the screened UN, EU, UK, Swiss and US sanctions lists contain 15 companies, organisations, vessels and aircraft linked to Israel.Lists last checked .
Logistics profile: ports, airports, customs, documents, holidays, news ↓
Israel is named in official guidance as a route for re-exports to Russia. Ordinary goods are usually not restricted, but authorities expect you to verify the real end destination and end user, especially for goods on the EU/UK high-priority lists.
Sources: UK — Countering Russian sanctions evasion: guidance for exporters (at-risk jurisdictions list) (12 Mar 2026) · reviewed 24 Oct 2026
By sanctions regime
The indicator above is the strictest of these. Which regimes are relevant to a shipment depends on many connections — dispatch country, company location, incorporation, nationality, ownership, banks, goods origin. The check selects them from your inputs in a simplified way; UN measures take effect through each country's implementing law.
| Regime | Indicator | What applies |
|---|---|---|
| UN | — | No UN sanctions regime. |
| EU | — | No measures against the country itself. |
| Switzerland | — | No measures against the country itself. |
| UK | Re-export route | Named in the UK list of jurisdictions at risk of re-export to Russia (Mar 2026). |
| US | — | No measures against the country itself. |
On the sanctions lists
15 entries on the official lists name Israel — as nationality, address, registration or flag. That links them to the country; it says nothing about other companies there. The same company can appear on several lists and is then counted once per list. Individuals are not included — Sanctioni does not process them.
| List | Entries | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US OFAC — Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) | 10 | 10 | — | — |
| EU Consolidated Financial Sanctions List (FSF) | 3 | 3 | — | — |
| Switzerland SECO Consolidated Sanctions List | 1 | 1 | — | — |
| UK Sanctions List (FCDO) | 1 | 1 | — | — |
Latest changes
No new listings or removals naming Israel recorded yet.
Related
Logistics profile
Israel: logistics and trade
Technology and pharmaceutical exporter; Mediterranean gateway to the Middle East
Israel (ISO code: IL) lies in the Middle East on the eastern Mediterranean coast, bordering Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, the Palestinian territories and Egypt. It is a parliamentary democracy with strong institutions and a highly diversified, innovation-driven economy focused on high technology, industry, agriculture, services and defence. Foreign trade is significant: exports are dominated by technology, pharmaceuticals, diamonds and agricultural products, while the country depends on imports of energy, raw materials and consumer goods. Imports and exports are cleared electronically through the 'Shaar Olami' (Global Gateway) single-window system of the Israel Tax Authority, with import VAT at 18 percent. A dense network of free-trade agreements (USA, EU, EFTA including Switzerland, UK, Mercosur, UAE and others) supports preferential trade. The Mediterranean ports of Haifa (including the new Bayport operated by SIPG) and Ashdod, together with Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV), anchor the country's logistics, while the Red Sea port of Eilat has been largely idle since the Houthi shipping crisis.
- Capital
- Jerusalem
- Population
- 10,178,000
- Area
- 22,145 km²
- Currency
- Israeli New Shekel (ILS)
- Continent
- Asia
- Region
- Middle East / MENA
- Economic area
- No customs union; dense FTA network (USA, EU, EFTA, UK, Mercosur, UAE)
- Religions
- Judaism, Islam, Christianity
- Access to the sea
- Yes
Transport modes Sea · Air · Road · Rail
- Current situation
- Status 2026-07-23: Haifa and Ashdod operating normally, container throughput at a high level; rates China–Israel stable. Red Sea port Eilat effectively shut down since July 2025 (Houthi blockade); many shipping lines continue to avoid the Red Sea (Cape route). Regional security situation remains the central risk.
- Seasonal conditions
- Mediterranean climate with rain from October to April and hot, dry summers; desert climate in the south (Negev), occasional sand and dust storms.
Main seaports
- Haifa
Haifa (IL HFA): Israel's largest Mediterranean port, two container terminals run by Adani and SIPG. Ashdod is the main alternative.
- Ashdod
Ashdod (IL ASH): one of Israel's main container gateways, ~1.85M TEU in 2024, semi-automated Hadarom terminal (TIL/MSC). Serves Tel Aviv area; alternative Haifa.
- Elat
Elat (IL ETH), Israel's only Red Sea port: vehicle imports and ICL potash exports, no container hub. Operations near halt since the Houthi blockade. Use Ashdod/Haifa.
- Ashqelon
Ashqelon (IL AKL) is an EAPC oil and fuels terminal on Israel's Mediterranean coast — buoy moorings for crude and products, no container cargo. Use Ashdod or Haifa.
- Hadera
Hadera (IL HAD) is an Israeli energy port importing coal and fuel oil for the Orot Rabin power station. No container traffic; use Haifa or Ashdod instead.
Main cargo airports
- Ben Gurion International AirportTLV
Ben Gurion (TLV), Tel Aviv: Israel's top cargo airport, 350,000+ t/year, freighters carry 3/4 of volume, Maman/Swissport terminals, El Al Cargo, pharma, diamonds.
Road corridors
- Coastal corridor Haifa-Tel Aviv-Ashdod (Highway 2/4)
- Route 6 (Trans-Israel)
- Connection Ashdod-Jerusalem
Rail corridors
- Israel Railways coastal axis Nahariya-Haifa-Tel Aviv-Ashdod-Beersheba
- Freight connection of the ports of Haifa and Ashdod
Main trade lanes
- Israel–USA
- Israel–EU
- Israel–China
- Israel–India
- Israel–Mediterranean hubs
Customs and import
Customs authority Israel Tax Authority – Customs Directorate (Rashut HaMisim, Aggaf HaMechess)Official website ↗
- Import customs system
- Electronic clearance via the customs authority's single window 'Shaar Olami' (Global Gateway); registration with smartcard and digital signature, mandatory since January 2018.
- Export customs system
- Export declarations also via the Shaar Olami (Global Gateway) system; classification according to the Customs and Purchase Tax Tariff on HS basis.
- Import VAT
- Import VAT (Ma'am) 18 percent since 1.1.2025, confirmed in the 2026 budget; no reduced rates, exports zero-rated. Personal import threshold raised to 150 USD in 2026.
- Proofs of origin and trade agreements
- Preference proof EUR.1 or origin declaration (PEM model); FTAs with USA, EU, EFTA incl. Switzerland, UK, Turkey, Mercosur, UAE, Canada, South Korea.
- Restricted and prohibited goods
- Standard inspection (SII) and import licences, among others for food, pharmaceuticals, telecom and vehicles; restrictions on weapons, dual-use goods and certain agricultural imports.
Typical import documents
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Bill of lading / air waybill
- Certificate of origin
- Import licence / standard approval (SII) depending on goods
Typical export documents
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Export declaration (Shaar Olami)
- Preference proof EUR.1 / declaration of origin
Logistics conditions
- Customs complexity
- Medium
- Customs delays
- Medium
- Port congestion
- Medium
- Dangerous goods relevance
- Medium to high
- Pharma and cold chain relevance
- High
- E-commerce relevance
- High
Trade
Top import partners
Top export partners
Top import goods
- Mineral oils
- Vehicles
- Machinery
- Electronic devices
- Chemicals
Top export goods
- Diamonds
- High-end electronics
- Pharmaceuticals
- Chemicals
- Security technology
Typical cargo
- High technology / electronics
- Pharmaceuticals
- Diamonds
- Machinery
- Chemicals
- Consumer goods
Latest logistics news
- Hapag-Lloyd to Acquire ZIM, but Israel Slows Down the Deal30 May 2026
Hapag-Lloyd to Acquire ZIM for $4.2 Billion. In Israel, Opposition Grows Due to Security, Supply, and Strategic Control.
Logistics questions
How high is import VAT in Israel?
VAT (Ma'am) has been a uniform 18 percent since 1.1.2025 and was confirmed in the 2026 budget. There are no reduced rates; exports are zero-rated. The threshold for private imports was raised from 75 to 150 USD in 2026.
Which customs system does Israel use?
Israel handles imports and exports electronically via the single window 'Shaar Olami' (Global Gateway) of the Israel Tax Authority. Registrations require a smartcard and digital signature; the system has been mandatory since January 2018 and connects customs, health, agriculture and the standards institute.
Which documents do I need for importing into Israel?
Common documents are the commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading or air waybill, and a certificate of origin. Depending on the goods, import licences or a standard inspection by the Standard Institution of Israel (SII) may also be required, for example for food, pharmaceuticals, telecom and vehicles.
Does Switzerland benefit from a free trade agreement with Israel?
Yes. Since 1.1.1993, a free trade agreement with Israel has existed through EFTA. With a proof of preference EUR.1 or an origin declaration, originating goods can be imported at preferential customs rates.
Through which ports and airports does freight traffic run?
Sea freight runs through the Mediterranean ports of Haifa (incl. the new Bayport terminal of SIPG) and Ashdod (incl. South Port of TiL/MSC). The main air cargo airport is Ben Gurion International (TLV) near Tel Aviv. The Red Sea port of Eilat is currently largely out of service.
How does the Red Sea/Houthi crisis affect Israel?
The Houthi blockade has effectively paralysed the Red Sea port of Eilat, and many shipping lines continue to avoid the Red Sea and sail via the Cape of Good Hope. Since the Gaza ceasefire of 10.10.2025, the attacks have stopped; container handling via the Mediterranean ports reached a record level in 2025.
Full logistics profile on Freight Academy ↗
Powered by Freight Academy, verified 23 Jul 2026. Logistics information, not a sanctions source.