With the turmoil currently facing Israel, the idea of shipping into the country may be daunting. However, UPS, USPS, and FedEx are working diligently to help you get your mail to its destination, wherever in Israel that may be.
This article outlines the best carriers for shipments to Israel, unique shipping requirements, and the required postage to Israel for standard postcards, envelopes, and parcels.
Contents
Best Carriers for Mail to Israel
The United States Postal Service (USPS), Federal Express (FedEx), and the United Parcel Service (UPS) all ship to Israel.
For envelopes and light parcels, USPS is typically the most affordable carrier. However, while USPS is usually the cheapest option, it’s not generally considered the most efficient.
If you need your parcel to arrive quickly (or in a specific timeframe), FedEx and UPS are better shipping options. FedEx is the most expensive, but it offers the most definitive delivery days and has several shipping services that guarantee delivery within a specific timeframe.
Given that USPS is typically the most affordable option, the rates in this article reflect USPS postage to Israel prices unless otherwise specified.
Postage to Send Postcards to Israel
Postcards can be shipped via USPS using international postage rates. To send a postcard to Israel, you will need $1.30 in postage, which can be covered with one Global First-Class Forever Stamp ($1.30) or three First-Class Forever Stamps ($1.74).
USPS defines postcards as rectangular cards that have dimensions between 3.5 x 5.0 x 0.007 inches and 4.25 x 6.0 x 0.016 inches. Cards outside of these dimensions or are not rectangular require additional postage.
Postage to Send Standard Envelopes to Israel
Envelopes can be sent to Israel using international postage rates with USPS. To ship an envelope weighing less than one ounce to Israel, you will need $1.30 in postage. You can use one Global First-Class Forever stamp ($1.30) or three domestic First-Class Forever Stamps ($1.74).
If your envelope weighs more than one ounce, you will need an additional $1.13 in postage for every extra ounce.
USPS defines standard envelopes as envelopes that have dimensions between 3.5 x 5.0 x 0.25 inches and 6.125 x 11.5 x 0.25 inches. If your envelope is rigid or not rectangular, your envelope will be considered non-machinable, meaning that it will need to be hand-sorted. Non-machinable envelopes require an additional $0.21 in postage.
Postage to Send Large Envelopes to Israel
Large envelopes can be sent to Israel using international postage rates with USPS. USPS considers large envelopes to have dimensions between 6.125 x 11.5 x 0.25 inches and 12 x 15 x 0.75 inches.
The postage required to mail large envelopes is dependent on the weight of your envelope:
|
Weight |
Postage Required |
Stamps Required |
|
1.0 ounce |
$2.60 |
2 Global Forever Stamps ($2.60) or 5 First-Class Forever Stamps ($2.90) |
|
2.0 ounces |
$3.67 |
3 Global Forever Stamp ($3.90) or 7 First-Class Forever Stamps ($4.06) |
|
3.0 ounces |
$4.73 |
4 Global Forever Stamp ($5.20) or 9 First-Class Forever Stamps ($5.22) |
|
4.0 ounces |
$5.81 |
5 Global Forever Stamp ($6.50) or 11 First-Class Forever Stamps ($6.38) |
|
5.0 ounces |
$6.87 |
6 Global Forever Stamp ($7.80) or 12 First-Class Forever Stamps ($6.96) |
|
6.0 ounces |
$7.93 |
7 Global Forever Stamp ($9.10) or 14 First-Class Forever Stamps ($8.12) |
|
7.0 ounces |
$9.00 |
7 Global Forever Stamp ($9.10) or 16 First-Class Forever Stamps ($9.28) |
|
8.0 ounces |
$10.06 |
8 Global Forever Stamp ($10.40) or 18 First-Class Forever Stamps ($10.44) |
|
9.0 ounces |
$12.20 |
10 Global Forever Stamp ($13.00) or 22 First-Class Forever Stamps ($12.76) |
|
10.0 ounces |
$12.20 |
10 Global Forever Stamp ($13.00) or 22 First-Class Forever Stamps ($12.76) |
Visit Where to Buy Stamps to find where to buy stamps near you.
Postage to Send Packages to Israel
The postage required to send packages to Israel is based on the size and weight of the parcel. You can calculate the cost of postage for your parcel using the USPS Postage Price Calculator.
To use the USPS Postage Price Calculator, follow these steps:
- Follow the link to the USPS Postage Price Calculator.
- Under the “What’s the destination country” dropdown menu, select “Israel.”
- Enter the date and time of when you plan to ship your parcel.
- Next, choose the type of parcel you wish to send.
- Finally, a new page will appear with the price for various shipping options in your area.
You can choose the shipping method of your choice based on your desired delivery date. Once you have determined the shipping method you wish to use, you can print a label using USPS Click-N-Ship.
If you want to avoid the hassle of calculating your package’s size and weight, you can also ship items using USPS Flat Rate boxes. Flat Rate Boxes come in various sizes and can be sent at a standard rate regardless of the weight of the contents. For more information about USPS’s Flat Rate shipping options, visit USPS Priority Mail.
Delivery Times to Israel
The average delivery time for postcards and First-Rate envelopes mailed with USPS First-Class Mail International (the standard shipping option used) is 7-21 days. If you mail postcards or envelopes using Priority Mail International instead, the delivery time is shortened to 6-10 days. Priority Mail Express International is the most expensive option for postcards and letters, but it guarantees delivery in 3-5 days.
Package delivery times are dependent on the carrier and the shipping method you choose. Customs can also delay package delivery. Generally, parcels shipped with USPS, FedEx, and UPS take 2-7 days to reach their final destination.
Though USPS, FedEx, and UPS all guarantee certain delivery times for postcards, envelopes, and parcels, it should be noted that many people have reported delayed delivery times for mail to Israel. Therefore, if you need your letter or package delivered by a specific date, it is best to send it early in anticipation of delays.
Addressing Mail to Israel
Addresses in Israel are similar to those of the continental United States, with only a couple of noticeable differences.
Addresses should be completed in the following way:
Name of Addressee
Street Address
Postcode and Locality
Country Name
Example:
John SMITH
16 Jaffa Street
9414219 Jerusalem
ISRAEL
Additional information regarding each line of the address is discussed below:
Line 1: Name of Addressee
This line should reflect the person’s name to whom you are shipping. If you are shipping to a company, the company name will go on this line.
Line 2: Street Address
When writing the street address, you want to write the house number, followed by the street name. Do not use a comma to separate the house number and street name.
If you are delivering to a P.O. box, the P.O. box number would be written on this line in place of the street address.
Line 3: Postal Code and Locality
*This section is a bit different than what most Americans are used to*
In Israel, you want to write the postal code and then the locality- not the other way around! Israeli postal codes are seven digits in length.
Line 4: Country Name
This line represents the country where your parcel’s final destination is located (in this case, you will want to write “ISRAEL”).
Customs Forms for Shipments to Israel
Parcels shipped to Israel require customs forms.
If you are shipping with USPS, you can print customs forms at USPS Custom Forms. Envelopes and parcels shipped First-Class require a Form 2976 Customs Declaration, which appears as a separate item on the shipping label. If you use Priority Mail to send your parcel, you will need a Form 2976A Customs Declaration and Dispatch Note CP 72, which includes a full-length custom report to be included within your parcel.
If shipping with UPS, you can complete your customs forms using the UPS Electronic Data Interchange (EDI). If you are shipping with FedEx, you can complete your customs forms using the FedEx Electronic Trade Documents (ETD).
If you are concerned about your customs forms (or unsure how to fill them out), USPS, FedEx, and UPS employees will happily help you complete the forms and prepare your package for shipment.
Items Prohibited from Import to Israel
Each country has its own set of rules regarding items prohibited from import or export. Being able to ship an item from the United States does not guarantee that the item will pass through customs and into your destination country. Therefore, it is essential to make sure that the items you are shipping are not included on the “Israel Prohibited or Restricted Item” lists.
Israel currently prohibits the import of the following items:
- Agricultural tools and accessories
- Banknotes, coins that are legal tender in Israel
- Cigarettes
- Dairy and fish products
- Fresh fruits and vegetables
- Games of chance
- Indecent or obscene marks, paintings, photographs, books, cards, lithographs, or engravings
- Infectious perishable biological substances
- Live plants and seeds
- Lottery tickets and advertisements
- Organic fertilizers
- Radioactive materials
- Soils and sands
- Spices exceeding 1 kilogram
- Tobacco, in various forms, exceeding 600 grams
- Used beehives
Israel also has restrictions on several items. Restricted items include:
- Coins, banknotes, currency notes (paper money), and other valuable articles
- Spices in quantities exceeding 1.1 pounds per spice
- Vitamins, minerals, and food supplements in quantities exceeding 3.5 ounces or one package per product
- Food products in quantities exceeding 6.6 pounds per food item or 33 pounds per total food shipment.
Israel also requires import licenses for many articles, including radios, televisions, medical or scientific instruments, underwater equipment and cinematographic film, postal stamps exceeding 100 Israeli pounds, mean and meat products, and plants.
For a complete list of Israel’s import prohibitions and restrictions, see USPS’s Country Conditions for Mailing – Israel.
For additional information regarding shipments within the United States and internationally, check out postage and shipping information on mystampguide.com.
