The USA is the second-biggest exporter after China, which makes the U.S. a major trading partner with countries such as Canada, Mexico, and China, but smaller players like Israel or countries from the European Union also play a big role. This article will describe the terms and conditions of shipping from the US to Israel.
Shipping from the US to Israel
Goods imported from the USA to Israel are mainly:
- Mechanical appliances
- Metals and pearls
- Leather products
- Optical, measuring, and medical instruments
- Ground vehicles
- Military electronics
When shipping goods from the USA to Israel, you have two primary options: air transport or sea transport. The choice between these two modes of transport depends on the type of goods you want to ship and the desired shipping time.
Products with a short date of consumption or precious items are better to transport by air freight; however, goods with significant weight that can spend a lot of time in a container, and nothing will happen with them are better to transport by sea freight, which is cheaper but takes much more time than air freight.
Shipping from the US to Israel – sea freight
Due to the US’s value in global imports and exports, it is no surprise that the USA is home to the world’s biggest seaports, ranked by the tonnage of goods coming there year by year. The largest port in North America is the Port of Los Angeles, which is in charge of the large volume of trade between the USA and Asia.
Long Beach is the second-biggest port in the USA. It is also known as one of the most essential gateways for trade between Asia and North America. The third-most important port in the USA is the New York and New Jersey port. It is also the biggest seaport located on the East Coast. Its appropriate location helps to have good trade links with Europe and Africa.
The Port of Haifa is the most crucial in Israel, handling over 30 million tons of cargo annually. It is also one of the biggest ports in the eastern Mediterranean region. The port contains many cargo terminals and can service many ships simultaneously.
Another important seaport in Israel is the Port of Ashdod, located only 40km from Tel Aviv, Israel’s commercial and cultural center. About 2,500 ships and 19 million tons of cargo are handled yearly.
Shipping from the US to Israel – air freight
Memphis International Airport is the biggest cargo airport in the USA, handling over 4 million tons of cargo annually. It is also a general hub for FedEx, one of the world’s largest air cargo hubs. The second busiest airport in the USA and one of the busiest airports in the world is Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, located in Alaska. It is because of the perfect location to handle many Asian shipments and because it is an important hub for domestic shipments.
Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport is the third largest airport in the USA. It handles approximately three million tons of cargo year by year. Louisville, Kentucky, is also home to UPS Worldport, the world’s most prominent shipment sorting facility.
Ben Gurion International Airport is Israel’s biggest airport and the busiest for handling passengers and cargo. It is only 15km from Tel Aviv and around 50km from Jerusalem. A railway station and highway surround the airport, making it one of Israel’s most important logistic centers.
Documents needed for importing from the USA to Israel
We recommend preparing the relevant documents well in advance to ensure smooth shipping from the US to Israel.
Required documents when exporting to Israel:
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Certificate of origin
- CITES certificate (if necessary)
- Other permits and documents
How much does shipping from the US to Israel cost?
There are two main ways to transport goods from the USA to Israel. Both air freight and sea freight have their advantages and disadvantages. To decide and find the best offer, you can use ShipHub to find suitable freight forwarders for free.
