With the first night of slichos rapidly approaching followed by the Tishrei Yomim Tovim, those who make a living selling yomtov-related items are busy preparing for another season. At Ben-Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv, the yomtov season spells increased smuggling efforts and agents have been briefed accordingly, looking for persons seeking to illegally move religious items, trying to avoid taxes and in some cases, agriculture laws and regulations.

Israel’s Customs Authority on Wednesday, 18 Elul, announced the apprehension of the season’s first esrogim smuggler at the airport. He was found concealing 108 esrogim in a suitcase that was being brought in by a British national. He passed through the Green Line instead of the Red Line and declaring his cargo, which would be subject to an array of regulations and customs fees. Customs officials’ value the esrogim at NIS 13,000 and tax is 37% of that sum, or NIS 4,810. He also requires a permit from the Ministry of Agriculture to import esrogim. And now, after passing through the Green Line and not declaring his goods, he will also face a stiff fine.

The person in question appeared suspicious to agents, who asked him to place his bags on the x-ray after he announced he has nothing to declare. The x-ray machine proved otherwise.

Ministry of Agriculture officials’ report that one arriving in Israel may bring one esrog for personal use. However, one is still required to declare the esrog and show it to the ministry inspector at the airport, located before one reaches the customs agents. This inspector will make sure the esrog is clean and it can be brought into the country.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem / Photo: Customs Spokesman’s Unit)