How to Shop from the US and Ship to Israel: The Ultimate Guide (2026)

Israelis are some of the savviest international shoppers in the world. Whether it's the latest iPhone, camera gear from B&H Photo, or a year's supply of vitamins from iHerb, the US market offers quality, variety, and prices that simply can't be matched locally. But for years, a frustrating barrier stood in the way: most major US stores don't ship directly to Israel.

That's where freight forwarders come in — and specifically, why ForwardMe has become the go-to solution for Israeli shoppers who want access to every deal the US market has to offer. This guide covers everything you need to know: customs rules, taxes, the most popular stores, and why ForwardMe is the best freight forwarder for shipping from the US to Israel.

Why Israelis Shop from the US

The price gap between the US and Israeli retail market is striking. Tech products, fashion items, nutritional supplements, and camera gear can be 20–40% cheaper when purchased from American retailers — even after accounting for shipping and customs costs. The US-Israel Free Trade Agreement (FTA), in place since 1985, eliminates customs duties on many goods originating in the United States, making cross-border shopping even more attractive.

Beyond price, there's the issue of product availability. Many brands, models, and limited-edition releases simply never make it to Israeli shelves. For tech enthusiasts, sneaker collectors, and health-conscious shoppers, the US Amazon catalog alone contains millions of products that are unavailable locally.

The Problem: Most US Stores Don't Ship to Israel

Here's the catch — and it's a big one. Major US retailers like Amazon (for many product categories), Nike, Apple, B&H Photo, and Costco either don't ship internationally at all, or limit their international shipping to a handful of countries. Israel is often left off the list.

This is where a mail forwarder or freight forwarder becomes essential. By giving you a real US address — one that any American retailer accepts at checkout — a service like ForwardMe bridges the gap between American stores and your doorstep in Tel Aviv, Haifa, or Jerusalem.

What Is a Freight Forwarder? And What Is a Mail Forwarder?

The terms are often used interchangeably in the context of personal shopping, but here's a quick breakdown:

• Mail forwarder: Receives packages on your behalf at a US address and ships them to your international address. Ideal for smaller, regular purchases.
• Freight forwarder: Handles larger or bulkier shipments, often with more complex logistics, customs brokerage, and consolidation options.

For most Israeli shoppers buying electronics, supplements, fashion, or home goods, a service like ForwardMe covers both functions seamlessly — receiving your packages, consolidating them, and forwarding them to Israel at the best possible rates.

How ForwardMe Works: Step by Step

Step 1: Get Your Free US Address

When you sign up with ForwardMe, you instantly receive a free US shipping address — a real street address at a physical warehouse, not a PO box. This address is accepted by every major US retailer, including Amazon, Nike, Apple, iHerb, and B&H Photo. No credit card is required to sign up.

ForwardMe's warehouse is strategically located in Delaware, one of the few US states with 0% sales tax. This means that on every purchase you make, you're automatically saving the 7–10% that shoppers in other states would pay in sales tax. On a $1,000 laptop, that's $70–$100 saved before you've even thought about shipping.

Step 2: Shop Any US Store

Use your ForwardMe address at checkout as if you were a local American shopper. Order from Amazon, B&H Photo, iHerb, Costco, Nike, or any other US retailer. Your packages are shipped to the ForwardMe warehouse, where they are received, logged, and photographed so you can see exactly what arrived and in what condition.

Step 3: Consolidate and Ship

This is where ForwardMe truly shines. If you've placed orders at three or four different stores, ForwardMe can consolidate all your packages into a single shipment. Instead of paying four separate international shipping fees, you pay one — and the savings can be dramatic, often up to 80% compared to shipping each package individually.

Once you're ready to ship, you choose your carrier (FedEx, DHL, or UPS) and your delivery speed. ForwardMe works directly with these top-tier carriers, ensuring your package moves efficiently without sitting in intermediate hubs. Express shipping from the US to Israel typically takes 2–5 business days.

Israeli Customs Rules and Taxes (2026 Update)

Understanding the Israeli customs system is critical to planning your purchases intelligently. Here's what you need to know:

The Tax Thresholds

Israel uses a tiered import tax system based on the declared value of your purchase (converted to USD at the current exchange rate):

• Under $75: No taxes, no customs duties — the package clears freely.
• $75 to $500: VAT of 17% applies. Purchase Tax may also apply on certain categories. No customs duty for most goods.
• Over $500: Full taxes apply — VAT (17%), Purchase Tax (where applicable), and Customs Duty (which varies by product category).

Important note: The taxable value is calculated using Israel's CIF method — Cost, Insurance, and Freight. This means that if your item costs $120 and shipping is $25, the taxable base is $145, not just $120. Plan accordingly.

The US-Israel Free Trade Agreement

Thanks to the US-Israel FTA, many goods manufactured in the United States can enter Israel with zero customs duty, provided the seller includes the correct origin declaration on the invoice. This is a huge advantage for Israeli shoppers buying American-made products — especially in categories like electronics, where the duty rate can otherwise reach 12%.

VAT (Ma'am)

Israel's VAT, locally known as Ma'am, currently stands at 17% and applies to virtually all imports above the tax-free threshold. It is calculated on the full CIF value (item price + shipping + insurance).

Watch Out for EMS Services

If your package arrives via an express mail service (EMS) — which includes FedEx, UPS, and most DHL shipments — Israeli customs may add a flat customs clearance fee of approximately 40 NIS, even for packages below the tax threshold. ForwardMe's team helps you navigate these fees with full transparency upfront, so there are no surprise charges at delivery.

What's Prohibited?

There are restrictions on what you can import into Israel. Items that cannot be shipped from the US to Israel include live animals, fresh produce, tobacco (subject to very high taxes), certain wireless devices that require a Ministry of Communications import permit, counterfeit goods, and items controlled under US export regulations. Always verify before purchasing if you're ordering anything outside the standard categories.

Most Popular US Stores for Israeli Shoppers

1. Amazon US

The undisputed king of American e-commerce. While Amazon does ship some items to Israel directly, thousands of products — especially from third-party sellers — require a US forwarding address. Using ForwardMe, you unlock the entire Amazon catalog. Top categories for Israeli Amazon shoppers include electronics, books, kitchen appliances, baby products, and home decor.

Pro tip: Keep individual Amazon orders under $75 when possible to stay within Israel's duty-free threshold. Because Amazon is a single seller, you don't need to wait 3 days between orders — you can place multiple orders as long as each individual order stays below the threshold.

2. B&H Photo Video

B&H Photo, the legendary camera and electronics superstore based in New York City, is something of a cult destination among Israeli tech enthusiasts. Camera gear, lenses, audio equipment, computer components, and professional lighting are routinely 20–30% cheaper at B&H than at Israeli retailers. B&H does ship internationally, but their rates are high and delivery times vary — many Israeli shoppers prefer to ship to their ForwardMe address and then consolidate with other purchases.

3. iHerb

iHerb is the go-to destination for vitamins, supplements, health foods, and natural beauty products. The selection is unmatched, and prices are significantly lower than what Israeli pharmacies and health stores charge for equivalent products. iHerb does ship to Israel directly, but many shoppers use ForwardMe to combine iHerb orders with purchases from other stores and save on overall shipping costs.

4. Nike US

Nike's US website frequently has styles and colorways that are either unavailable or much more expensive on Nike's Israeli site or at local retailers. Sneaker enthusiasts and sports apparel shoppers regularly use ForwardMe to access exclusive US releases and sale items. The same applies to other major sportswear brands like Adidas, Under Armour, and New Balance.

5. Apple US

Apple products in Israel carry a significant price premium compared to US prices — even factoring in VAT and shipping. A MacBook Pro or iPhone purchased through Apple's US store and forwarded via ForwardMe can represent meaningful savings, particularly during events like Black Friday when Apple offers education discounts or gift card promotions.

6. Costco

Costco's enormous bulk-buy deals on everything from electronics to household goods are legendary. Costco does not ship internationally, making a US forwarding address essential. Israeli shoppers particularly love Costco for non-perishable food products, appliances, and seasonal items.

7. Other Popular Stores

• Chewy: Pet food and pet care products at prices far below Israeli pet stores
• Gymshark / Lululemon: Athletic wear that's cheaper and more widely available in the US
• Sephora / Ulta: Cosmetics and skincare brands with wider selections than Israeli retailers
• Gap / Old Navy / J.Crew: Affordable American fashion that carries a premium in Israel

Why ForwardMe Is the Best Freight Forwarder for Israel

With several freight forwarding services competing for Israeli shoppers' business, what makes ForwardMe the best choice? Here's a detailed breakdown:

Free US Address — No Strings Attached

ForwardMe provides every user with a free US shipping address from day one, regardless of membership tier. There's no monthly fee, no setup cost, and no credit card required to get started. Many competitors either charge a monthly subscription fee or limit features to paid tiers.

Delaware: The Tax-Free Advantage

ForwardMe's warehouse in Delaware means you automatically save on US sales tax — 0% on every purchase. Compare this to services based in states like California (9.5% sales tax) or New York (8.875%), and the savings quickly add up. For a shopper spending $5,000 annually on US goods, the Delaware location alone saves $350–$500 in taxes before international shipping is even considered.

Package Consolidation That Actually Saves Money

One of the biggest costs in international shipping is the per-shipment base fee charged by couriers. ForwardMe's consolidation service combines multiple packages into a single optimized box, eliminating redundant base fees and reducing dimensional weight by removing excess outer packaging. This can reduce your shipping bill by up to 80% compared to shipping each item separately.

Free 15-Day Storage

Ordered from ten different stores over the course of a month? No problem. ForwardMe stores your packages free of charge for 15 days, giving you time to complete your shopping before shipping everything together in one consolidated shipment.

Free Package Photography

Every package that arrives at the ForwardMe warehouse is photographed at no charge. You can see exactly what arrived, verify the condition, and confirm the contents before authorizing shipment to Israel. This level of transparency is rare in the industry and protects you against receiving damaged goods without recourse.

Transparent Pricing — No Surprise Fees

One of the most common complaints about freight forwarders is hidden fees: handling fees, computer fees, unloading fees, and other charges that appear on the final invoice without warning. ForwardMe publishes its pricing clearly and provides upfront estimates. You can easily use our Shipping Calculator to calculate your total landed cost before committing to a purchase. What you see is what you pay.

Direct Shipping Routes — No Intermediate Hubs

Some forwarding services route packages through European distribution hubs, adding days or even weeks to delivery times. ForwardMe ships directly from its US warehouse to Israel using top-tier carriers — FedEx, DHL, and UPS — without unnecessary intermediate stops. This means faster delivery and less handling of your packages.

Real Human Customer Support

Customer service is where many freight forwarders fall short. ForwardMe's support team consists of real people who respond quickly and take ownership of problems. Whether you have a question about customs documentation, a package that's been delayed, or a special packaging request, you get a direct and helpful response — not a bot or a copy-pasted script.

Customs Assistance Built In

ForwardMe handles customs declarations and paperwork as part of the service. Their team prepares accurate documentation to smooth the clearance process in Israel, reducing the risk of delays, inspections, or unexpected fees at the border.

Smart Shopping Tips for Israelis Ordering from the US

1. Stay under the $75 threshold when possible. For small purchases, structuring orders to stay below Israel's duty-free limit means your package clears customs without any additional tax.

2. Use package consolidation for multiple orders. If you're ordering from several stores, wait until everything arrives at your ForwardMe suite and consolidate into one shipment. The savings in shipping costs often exceed the consolidation fee.

3. Take advantage of US sales events. Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Amazon Prime Day, and end-of-season sales can offer discounts of 30–70% on name-brand products. Israeli shoppers have discovered that even with shipping costs factored in, these sales represent extraordinary value.

4. Factor in CIF when calculating taxes. Remember that Israeli customs calculates VAT on the combined cost of the item plus shipping plus insurance. Use ForwardMe's Duty Calculator to know your total landed cost before purchasing.

5. Check product compatibility. Some electronics — particularly those with specific voltage requirements or wireless frequencies — may need adapters or may require an import permit from Israel's Ministry of Communications. Check compatibility before ordering.

6. Keep your documentation accurate. Israeli customs takes declared values seriously. Understating the value of a shipment is tax evasion and can result in fines, seizure of goods, and future scrutiny. ForwardMe ensures all customs documents accurately reflect the true value of your shipment.

7. Use the Personal Shopper service. If US stores reject your international card or require a US billing address, ForwardMe can buy the items for you. Just share the link, and they will handle the rest.

Getting Started with ForwardMe: It Takes 2 Minutes

Here's how simple it is to begin shopping from the US and shipping to Israel with ForwardMe:

1. Create a free account at forwardme.com — no credit card required.
2. Receive your free US address (Delaware) instantly upon registration.
3. Start shopping at any US store — Amazon, B&H, Nike, iHerb, Apple, or wherever you like.
4. Watch your packages arrive at your ForwardMe suite via the dashboard and package photos.
5. Request consolidation if you have multiple packages, or ship immediately.
6. Choose your carrier (FedEx, DHL, UPS) and delivery speed.
7. Receive your order in Israel in as little as 2–5 business days.

Thousands of shoppers from 220+ countries trust ForwardMe for their international package forwarding needs. For Israeli shoppers specifically, it's the most cost-effective, transparent, and reliable way to access the full breadth of the American market.

Conclusion: The US Market Is Yours to Explore

The days of asking friends and family to bring packages from America "in their suitcase" are over. With ForwardMe, every Israeli shopper has a permanent, free US address in a zero-sales-tax state, backed by professional logistics, transparent pricing, and real customer support.

Whether you're a tech enthusiast eyeing the latest camera from B&H, a health-conscious shopper loading up on iHerb supplements, or a sneakerhead chasing a limited Nike drop, ForwardMe gives you access to the world's largest retail market — delivered to your door in Israel, quickly and affordably.

Sign up for your free US address at forwardme.com today and start shopping.