Overview of the main changes in the Import and Export Law - January 2024
The Israeli parliament approved a very significant amendment in the Import and Export Law that was published in the official gazette on 17 January 2024.
The Import and Export law is applicable to many products that require the approval of the Ministry of Economy during the import procedure to Israel. Among these products are toys, electrical and electronic products, tableware, cleaning materials, faucets, construction equipment and many others.
Here is a general overview of the main changes in this legislation:
- Cancellation of the requirement to submit import requests to a testing laboratory, in order to release shipments in the declaration-based import tracks.
Effective date: July 2024 (with an option to postpone for up to 3 months)
When importing products that have to comply with an official standard classified in import groups number 2, 3 and the "international track" [also known as "cassis track" (which are not in import group 1]- there will no longer be a need to submit the applications to the Israeli Standards Institute or to approved Israeli laboratories. Instead, the import inspection will be held during the procedure to release the shipment from the Israeli Customs Authorities.
While releasing the shipment from the Israeli customs, a risk assessment procedure will be carried out, and some products will be required to be checked for compliance of the product itself with the requirements, or for compliance of the product portfolio to the Israeli requirements.
This change doesn't influence the need to comply with the standardization requirements themselves, but rather to simplify the procedure. This will result in saving time and the additional costs involved in submitting the requests to the Israeli Standards Institute or to the approved Israeli laboratories, the cost of the service charged by the laboratories and the time spent until the approval is received from those laboratories.
- Cancellation for one year of the obligation to keep test reports in the product portfolio – only for products in import group number 3.
Effective date: July 2024 (with an option to postpone for up to 3 months)
A temporary order was approved for one year (in accordance with the above dates), under which there will be no obligation to keep test reports in the product's portfolio- if the import group is number 3 (whether the importer chose the "international track" or the “Israeli standard track”). This temporary change doesn't apply to import groups 1 + 2.
The Minister of Economy was granted the authority to extend this temporary order for another year.
We wish to clarify that the basic obligation for the product to meet the standardization requirements has not been changed. Therefore, even when this temporary order is in effect, it is important to make sure that the declaration is true and that the importer has sufficient information to support this kind of declaration.
If, contrary to the importer's declaration, the product doesn’t meet the requirements, the importer could face severe sanctions.
- An alternative to a full test report in the product portfolio
Date of entry into force: upon publication of the amendment in the Israeli official gazette
One of the requirements of the "international track", is to obtain a full test report showing compliance with the standardization requirements. According to the new amendment, for some of the standards, documents that are sufficient abroad to show compliance with specific foreign regulations might be sufficient for Israel - even if it does not include a full test report. The Ministry of Economy is expected to issue guidelines on this matter.
