As the busy Pesach travel season approaches, Chaim V’Chessed urges all travelers—both those leaving Israel and visitors arriving for the holiday—to take note of several critical travel guidelines to avoid complications and ensure a smooth journey.

Traveler’s Insurance: A Must-Have

One of the most crucial travel precautions is securing proper traveler’s insurance. This applies to:

• Residents of Israel who are traveling abroad

• Visitors coming to Israel for Pesach

Each year, Chaim V’Chessed is called upon to assist travelers who either failed to obtain insurance or misunderstood their coverage, only to find themselves in a medical crisis without proper coverage. Travelers must verify that their insurance policy provides adequate medical and emergency coverage for the duration of their trip. If you do not have appropriate coverage, make sure to contact a qualified insurance agent before travel.

Israeli Customs: What You Need to Know

Travelers should be aware of Israel’s customs regulations, which have become more strictly enforced in recent months. Below are some important rules to bear in mind.

• Declaring Valuables – Those leaving Israel with valuables they plan to bring back can declare them before departure to avoid taxation upon return. This is done at the Customs office located after passport control.

• Bringing Goods into Israel – Only $200 worth of gifts may be brought into the country tax-free. Any amounts above $200 must be declared at the ‘Red Lane’ in the airport, and will be taxed.

• Personal Items – The passenger’s personal effects, such as a reasonable amount of clothing for the passenger, are generally exempt from taxation. However, expensive items, such as jewelry or watches, may be flagged for taxes and fines if noticed by customs officials. Additionally, there is no exception for goods brought for family members or others, beyond the $200 limit. Read more about Customs scrutiny here.

• Food Restrictions – Visitors should note that fresh food imports are highly regulated. For instance, travelers may only bring up to 15 kg of food, including no more than 5 kg of any specific type of food. Furthermore, raw meats are not permitted to be brought into the country whatsoever. Only 3 kg of cooked meat is allowed.

ETA Requirement

Since January 1, Israel has required that all travelers heading to the country submit an ETA-IL, an electronic travel application. While Israelis with valid Israeli passports are exempt from this requirement, several other categories of travelers—including student visa holders and permanent residents of Israel—are also officially not required to apply for an ETA. However, airline officials worldwide are often unfamiliar with these exemptions. This has resulted in airlines erroneously demanding an ETA from travelers who should not need one.

To avoid unnecessary complications, Chaim V’Chessed advises that all travelers without an Israeli passport apply for the ETA IL, regardless of their official exemption status. This proactive step can help ensure a smooth travel experience and prevent delays at check-in. It should be noted that Israeli citizens who do not hold a valid Israeli passport are required to obtain an ETA, as well.

Apply for an ETA at this link. For further details see here.

For further clarifications or inquiries, travelers are encouraged to contact Chaim V’Chessed before their trip. Adhering to these guidelines will help ensure a smooth and stress-free travel experience this Pesach season.