Palestine: sanctions and trade risk

No elevated indicator

As of 7 November 2026, the screened UN, EU, UK, Swiss and US sanctions lists contain 53 companies, organisations, vessels and aircraft linked to Palestine.Lists last checked 2026-11-07 21:01 UTC.

Logistics profile: ports, airports, customs, documents, holidays, news ↓

No elevated country indicator for Palestine in the route rules Sanctioni uses. That is not a clearance: goods may still be export-controlled, and parties in Palestine may still be on a list.

Check a shipment to Palestine →

On the sanctions lists

53 entries on the official lists name Palestine — 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	Companies & organisations	Vessels	Aircraft
US OFAC — Specially Designated Nationals (SDN)	34	34	—	—
UK Sanctions List (FCDO)	13	13	—	—
EU Consolidated Financial Sanctions List (FSF)	6	6	—	—

Latest changes

No new listings or removals naming Palestine recorded yet.

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All sanctioned countries compared by regime

Logistics profile

Palestine: logistics and trade

Restricted market under Israeli customs control; humanitarian logistics

The Palestinian Territories (ISO code PS) lie in the Middle East and comprise the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, bordering Israel, Jordan and Egypt. They are administered by the Palestinian Authority; since 2007 governance has been split between Fatah in the West Bank and Hamas in Gaza. The climate is Mediterranean in the West Bank and subtropical-coastal in Gaza. The economy is dominated by services, alongside agriculture, construction and trade, while restricted movement limits development. Under the 1994 Paris Protocol the territories form a customs union with Israel, which controls all external borders and collects import duties and VAT on their behalf, remitting them as clearance revenues. The New Israeli Shekel (ILS) is the main circulating currency. There is no functioning own seaport or commercial cargo airport, so trade runs through Israeli ports (Ashdod, Haifa), Ben Gurion airport and the Allenby/King Hussein Bridge to Jordan, leaving logistics highly dependent on Israeli infrastructure and security clearance.

Capital: East Jerusalem (claimed) / Ramallah (administrative seat)
Population: 5,560,000
Area: 6,220 km²
Currency: Israeli New Shekel (ILS)
Continent: Asia
Region: Middle East / Levant
Economic area: Customs union with Israel (Paris Protocol)
Religions: Islam
Access to the sea: Yes

Transport modes Road

Current situation: Status June 2026: fragile ceasefire in Gaza since 10.10.2025, reconstruction phase. Kerem Shalom is the only functioning cargo crossing to Gaza; Rafah closed. West Bank trade via Israeli ports and Jordan.
Seasonal conditions: Mediterranean climate: hot, dry summers, mild, rainy winters. Winter rain (November to March) may temporarily affect road transport in the hill country of the West Bank.

Road corridors

Ramallah - Allenby Bridge - Amman (Jordan)
West Bank - Ashdod/Haifa (Israel)
Kerem Shalom - Gaza Strip

Inland ports

Allenby/King Hussein Bridge (cargo terminal to Jordan)
Kerem Shalom (only cargo crossing to Gaza)

Main trade lanes

Israel - West Bank/Gaza
Jordan (Allenby Bridge)
EU (via Israeli ports)

Customs and import

Customs authority Palestinian Ministry of Finance, Customs and Excise Department (Customs and Excise)Official website ↗

Import customs system: Customs union with Israel (Paris Protocol 1994). Israel controls the external borders and collects customs duties and VAT. Palestinian clearance via ASYCUDA World of the Customs and Excise Department.
Export customs system: Exports run through Israeli ports (Ashdod, Haifa) and the Allenby/King Hussein Bridge crossing to Jordan. Clearance via ASYCUDA World; Israeli security control of all external borders.
Import VAT: Import VAT 16 per cent (Palestinian VAT). Collected by Israel at the external borders and passed on as clearance revenue. Paris Protocol: rate may be at most 2 points below the Israeli rate of currently 18 per cent.
Proofs of origin and trade agreements: No own free trade agreements; de facto part of the Israeli customs territory. Preferential EU market access under the 1997 EU-PLO Interim Association Agreement; proof of origin EUR.1 or origin declaration.
Restricted and prohibited goods: Extensive Israeli dual-use list restricts imports, especially to Gaza (construction, telecom, machinery goods). Weapons, ammunition and security-relevant goods prohibited. Strict controls at all crossings.

Typical import documents

Commercial invoice
Packing list
Certificate of origin
ASYCUDA import declaration
Israeli import and security permit

Typical export documents

Commercial invoice
Packing list
Proof of origin EUR.1 or origin declaration (EU preference)
ASYCUDA export declaration

Logistics conditions

Customs complexity: High
Customs delays: High
Port congestion: High
Dangerous goods relevance: Low
Pharma and cold chain relevance: Medium
E-commerce relevance: Low to medium

Trade

Top import partners

Israel China Türkiye Jordan Egypt

Top export partners

Israel Jordan United Arab Emirates Saudi Arabia Egypt

Top import goods

Food
Petroleum products
Construction materials
Machinery
Vehicles

Top export goods

Agricultural products
Stone
Building materials
Textiles

Typical cargo

Food
Fuel
Construction materials
Machinery
Consumer goods
Humanitarian aid goods

Logistics questions

Which currency is used in the Palestinian Territories?

The main means of payment is the New Israeli Shekel (ILS); the Jordanian Dinar (JOD) and the US Dollar (USD) also circulate.

Who collects customs duties and import taxes?

Under the Paris Protocol the territories form a customs union with Israel. Israel controls the external borders, collects duties and VAT and remits them as clearance revenues.

What is the import VAT rate?

Palestinian import VAT is 16 percent. Under the Paris Protocol it may be at most 2 points below the Israeli rate (currently 18 percent).

Is there a functioning seaport or cargo airport?

No. There is no functioning own seaport or cargo airport. Sea freight runs via Ashdod and Haifa, air freight via Ben Gurion (Israel).

How is the Gaza Strip supplied with goods?

Goods reach Gaza almost exclusively via the Kerem Shalom crossing; Rafah is closed. Since October 2025 a fragile ceasefire with limited supply has been in place.

Do Palestinian exports benefit from EU preferences?

Yes. The 1997 EU-PLO interim association agreement grants preferential access. Proof is the EUR.1 movement certificate or an origin declaration.

Which import restrictions apply?

Israel applies an extensive dual-use list restricting many construction, telecom and machinery goods, especially into Gaza. Weapons and security-relevant goods are prohibited.

Full logistics profile on Freight Academy ↗