Car, Boat & Heavy Equipment Shipping to Israel
Seaway Export ships from Savannah, New York / New Jersey, and other ports to Haifa and Ashdod in 18–33 days port to port, with weekly sailings on the main lane and rates from $1,700.
Weekly container service to Haifa and Ashdod. Israel's headline taxes look brutal — ≈83% purchase tax plus 17% VAT — but green-score credits, the personal import route, and the classic-car rate change the math completely.
Israel at a Glance
Space available- Shipping from
- $1,700+
- Ocean transit
- 18–25 days (East Coast)
- Arrival ports
- Haifa · Ashdod
- Import duty + VAT
- ≈83% purchase tax + 17% VAT
- Hybrids & EVs
- Green score cuts purchase tax
No obligation · Response within 1 business day
Shipping to Israel: What You Need to Know
Israel taxes vehicles harder than almost any country — a purchase tax of roughly 83% applies before 17% VAT — but the system has big, fully legal offsets. A 'green score' credit reduces the purchase tax based on emissions, slashing the bill for hybrids and EVs, and classics over 30 years old import at a reduced collector rate. Haifa and Ashdod both receive weekly U.S. container traffic, with transit from the East Coast among the shortest in the region at 18–25 days.
For private buyers the personal import route is the key: an individual may import one vehicle per person for their own use, often saving thousands of dollars versus dealer pricing on the same model. The paperwork is exacting — conformity, emissions, and ownership documents must line up precisely, and the vehicle must meet Israeli registration standards — and that is exactly the part we manage end-to-end, from U.S. pickup to release at Haifa or Ashdod.
Key takeaway
Headline taxes are steep (≈83% purchase tax + 17% VAT), but green-score credits for hybrids and EVs, the one-car-per-person personal import route, and the reduced 30+ classic rate change the equation entirely. Run a per-VIN calculation before you buy — we provide it free.
Shipping Routes & Transit Times to Israel
| U.S. Departure Port | Arrival Port | Ocean Transit | Sailing Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York / New Jersey | Haifa | 18–25 days | Weekly |
| Baltimore, MD | Haifa | 19–26 days | Weekly |
| Savannah, GA | Ashdod | 20–28 days | Weekly |
| Houston, TX | Ashdod | 25–33 days | Bi-weekly |
Transit times are port-to-port estimates and exclude export clearance and customs processing.
Shipping to Israel from the Port of Savannah
Seaway Export is headquartered at the Port of Savannah, Georgia — one of the fastest-growing container ports in the United States and our primary export gateway. We run regular sailings from Savannah to Israel, backed by departures from New York/New Jersey, Houston, and Los Angeles/Long Beach, so we can route your cargo on the lane that reaches Israel fastest and at the best price.
Cars, SUVs, pickups & classic vehicles — container or RoRo
Boats, yachts & personal watercraft — cradled or lift-on/lift-off
Heavy equipment & machinery — flat rack, breakbulk or RoRo
What It Costs to Ship to Israel
Indicative per-unit rates from U.S. ports. Your exact rate depends on vehicle dimensions, departure region, and current vessel space.
| Service | Typical Rate | What to Know | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared container (consolidated) | $1,700 – $2,500 | Budget-friendly, waits for consolidation | Standard sedans & SUVs |
| Dedicated 20ft container | $2,900 – $4,000 | Fastest loading, single vehicle | High-value or classic cars |
| Dedicated 40ft container | $3,900 – $5,500 | Fits 2 vehicles or vehicle + cargo | Pairs, dealer lots |
| RoRo (roll-on / roll-off) | Custom quote | Drive-on service, no container | Running vehicles, trucks, machinery |
| Flat rack / breakbulk | Custom quote | For oversized & non-running units | Heavy equipment, boats |
Rates shown are indicative ranges from the U.S. East Coast and are confirmed at booking.
Rates move with fuel surcharges and season. Get today's exact rate for your vehicle in under 1 hour.
Price My ShipmentIsrael Import Duties & Taxes
| Category | Import Duty | VAT / Tax | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gasoline cars | 0% (U.S. FTA) | 17% | ≈83% purchase tax, green offsets |
| Hybrids & EVs | 0% (U.S. FTA) | 17% | Green score slashes purchase tax |
| Classic cars (30+ yrs) | 0% | 17% | Reduced collector purchase tax |
| Personal import (1 per person) | Standard taxes | 17% | Often beats dealer pricing |
| Heavy machinery | 0% (U.S. FTA) | 17% | No purchase tax on equipment |
Indicative rates for general guidance — final assessment is made by customs at arrival. Our team confirms the exact landed cost before you book.
Documents You'll Need
- Original vehicle title (Certificate of Title) — lien-free
- Bill of sale or commercial invoice
- Copy of passport or government ID
- U.S. AES export filing (we handle this)
- Import declaration at destination (we coordinate)
- Packing list for personal items, if any
Importing one car for yourself?
Israel's personal import framework lets a private individual bring in one vehicle for their own use — often thousands cheaper than buying the same U.S.-spec model locally. We handle the conformity file, emissions documentation, and port release so the paperwork never becomes the obstacle.
What We Ship to Israel
Every cargo type has its own routing, loading method, and import path. Pick yours to see the exact process.
Cars, SUVs & Classics
Container or RoRo service into Israel's main vehicle gateways, with full customs handling.
- Sedans, SUVs & pickups
- Classic & collector cars
- Motorcycles & ATVs
Heavy Equipment
Flat rack, breakbulk, and container loading for construction, agricultural, and industrial machinery bound for Israel.
- Excavators & dozers
- Agricultural machinery
- Oversized project cargo
Boats & Yachts
Cradled container loading or lift-on/lift-off service for boats and personal watercraft headed to Israel.
- Powerboats & sailboats
- Yachts & cruisers
- Jet skis & PWC
Container vs. RoRo to Israel
| Feature | Container | RoRo |
|---|---|---|
| Personal items allowed inside | ||
| Non-running vehicles accepted | ||
| Lowest cost for running cars | ||
| Weather-protected transit | ||
| Multiple vehicles per booking |
Popular U.S. → Israel Routes
Step-by-Step: How Your Shipment to Israel Moves
Quote & booking
Day 0Lock in your rate and vessel space. We confirm pickup windows and the best departure port for your route.
U.S. pickup & delivery to port
Days 1–7Door pickup from any auction, dealer, or residence. Condition photos taken at every handoff.
Export clearance & loading
Days 5–12AES filing, title validation with CBP (72-hour rule), professional loading, blocking, and bracing.
Ocean transit
18–25 days (East Coast)Regular sailings with full tracking from departure to arrival at Haifa · Ashdod.
Customs & handover
2–7 daysImport declaration, duty and tax payment, and release. Optional onward trucking to your final destination.
Buying from a U.S. auction? Read our step-by-step playbook before you bid.
Read the auction shipping guideFrequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about shipping to Israel. Can't find the answer you're looking for? Contact our team.
The headline numbers are steep — a purchase tax of roughly 83% applies before 17% VAT — but the system has big, fully legal offsets that change the math entirely. Thanks to the U.S. free-trade agreement, customs duty itself is 0% on qualifying American vehicles. Combine that with the green-score credit, the personal-import route, and the classic-car rate, and the real cost is often far below the headline. We run a per-VIN calculation free before you buy.
Israel's green-score credit reduces the purchase tax based on a vehicle's emissions, so cleaner drivetrains pay much less. Hybrids and EVs benefit most — the credit can slash the purchase tax dramatically, which is why an electrified U.S.-spec car often lands far cheaper than its gasoline equivalent. We factor the green score into the per-VIN calculation so you can choose the drivetrain that wins on total cost.
It lets a private individual import one vehicle per person for their own use, often saving thousands of dollars versus dealer pricing on the same U.S.-spec model. The paperwork is exacting — conformity, emissions, and ownership documents must line up precisely, and the car must meet Israeli registration standards. That's exactly the part we manage end to end, from U.S. pickup to release at Haifa or Ashdod.
About 18–25 days from the East Coast — among the shortest transits in the region. We sail weekly from New York/New Jersey and Baltimore to Haifa, and from Savannah to Ashdod, with biweekly service from Houston (25–33 days). Both ports take weekly U.S. container traffic. We handle the conformity file, emissions documentation, and port release so the paperwork never becomes the obstacle.
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