Customs & VAT on Pokémon Cards from Abroad: The Full Guide
The VAT-exemption threshold, what applies above it, 3 worked examples in ILS, and the special case of a card returning from grading — updated July 2026.
Updated 12 July 2026
Pokémon collectible cards imported into Israel from abroad are exempt from customs duty and purchase tax at any value — but 18% VAT applies if the goods value on the invoice (excluding shipping) exceeds $75, as of July 2026. Below the threshold — full exemption. This guide breaks down the exact calculation, with worked examples in ILS and a live customs calculator.
What's the VAT-exemption threshold, and what applies above it
For a parcel of cards from abroad, the goods value alone (excluding shipping) is what decides it: up to $75 — fully exempt from VAT and customs. Above $75 — 18% VAT applies to the full parcel value, including shipping and insurance. Collectible cards never carry customs duty or purchase tax, at any value, unlike tobacco and alcohol — VAT is the only tax in play.
| Component | Under $75 goods value | Over $75 goods value |
|---|---|---|
| VAT | None | 18%, on goods + shipping (CIF) |
| Customs duty / purchase tax on cards | None | None (VAT only) |
| Does shipping count toward the threshold test | No, if itemized separately | Not relevant — you're already over |
Want to know exactly what your specific order comes out to? Our customs calculator runs this calculation with the current USD-ILS rate, no manual math required.
$75 now, $130 cancelled: why there's so much confusion
The current, standing threshold is $75, as of July 2026 — but between February and June 2026 it was temporarily $130, and was then cancelled, reverting to what it had been. That's exactly why you'll find so much confusion in search results and on social media today, with some sources still stuck on the old number.
| Period | VAT-exemption threshold | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Until 24.02.2026 | $75 | The regular threshold, as it had been before |
| 25.02.2026–01.06.2026 | $130 | Temporary expansion, following a Finance Ministry order |
| From 01.06.2026 (including today) | $75 | The expansion was cancelled, systems reverted to the regular threshold |
Above the threshold: what exactly VAT applies to
Once the goods value crosses $75, 18% VAT is charged not just on the goods value but on the full parcel value including shipping — what's called the CIF base (goods + shipping + insurance, if any). The threshold test itself ignores shipping, but once you've crossed it, shipping is fully folded into the VAT calculation.
3 worked examples with real numbers
For the examples below we'll use an illustrative rate of about ₪3.05 per dollar. That's not the exact rate that will apply to your order — the real rate changes weekly. For an exact calculation with the current rate, use our live customs calculator.
1. A single card at $40
The goods value ($40) is under $75 → fully exempt from VAT, even if shipping adds a few more dollars. Landed cost = $40 × ₪3.05 ≈ ₪122, with no tax added.
2. An order of $120 in cards + $15 shipping
The goods value ($120) is over $75 → 18% VAT applies, on the CIF base — meaning on $120+$15=$135 together, not just the $120. VAT base: $135 × ₪3.05 ≈ ₪411.75. VAT: ₪411.75 × 18% ≈ ₪74.1. Total landed cost ≈ ₪486.
3. A booster box at $160 + $25 shipping
A booster box (see our full booster box guide) is heavier, so shipping costs more too. The goods value ($160) is well over $75 → 18% VAT on $160+$25=$185 combined. VAT base: $185 × ₪3.05 ≈ ₪564.25. VAT: ₪564.25 × 18% ≈ ₪101.6. Total landed cost ≈ ₪666.
| Example | Goods value | Shipping | Above/below threshold | VAT base | VAT (18%) | Estimated landed cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single card | $40 | — | Below | — | ₪0 | ~₪122 |
| Card order | $120 | $15 | Above | $135 | ~₪74 | ~₪486 |
| Booster box | $160 | $25 | Above | $185 | ~₪102 | ~₪666 |
The numbers here are illustrative only, using a fixed rate for the example. The real exchange rate updates weekly, so our customs calculator runs the exact same calculation with the current rate, automatically — worth using before you close a large order.
A card returning from grading abroad: the special case nobody talks about
When a raw card is sent for grading abroad (PSA, CGC — see our PSA vs. CGC vs. BGS comparison) and comes back slabbed, customs treats it as an ordinary import, full stop — there's no shortened "temporary import" track for a small private parcel, even if the card only "left and came back" and wasn't sold to anyone.
The question that has no clear answer anywhere official is what declared value should go on the returning package. The value relevant to the customs check is the real value of the item being imported at the time it returns — meaning the graded card in its slab — not necessarily the original purchase price of the raw card before it was sent out. The practical effect: a raw card you paid a small amount for can come back graded at a much higher market value, and cross the exemption threshold easily — even if it was nowhere close before grading.
This analysis is our careful reading of the general personal-import rules, not formal customs or legal advice. For the full grading process — costs, timelines, and independent submission vs. an Israeli intermediary — see our grading from Israel guide.
Official sources and the live calculator
The rules in this guide are based on official sources from the Israel Tax Authority and Kol Zchut, and are current as of July 2026. Personal-import rules can change again (exactly like what happened with the temporary $130 threshold) — before a particularly large order, it's worth checking the official source.
- Kol Zchut — personal import rights guide (Hebrew)
- Israel Tax Authority — personal-import tax calculator (Hebrew)
For a quick calculation on your own order, using the current USD-ILS rate instead of a fixed illustrative one — our customs calculator on haklaf does it in one click.
Frequently asked questions
Do you pay customs duty on Pokémon cards?
No. Collectible cards (Pokémon, One Piece, etc.) never carry customs duty or purchase tax, at any value — only VAT, and only once the goods value crosses the $75 exemption threshold. The closed list of items that face full taxation at any value covers tobacco, cigarettes, and alcohol — not cards.
What happens if my order is worth less than $75?
Full exemption. If the goods value on the invoice (not counting shipping) is $75 or less, no VAT and no customs apply — even if the shipping cost by itself is high.
Does shipping count toward the $75 threshold?
No, as long as it's itemized as a separate line on the invoice. The threshold test looks only at the goods value. But once the goods value itself crosses $75, shipping does get folded into the VAT calculation — see the VAT base section below.
How much VAT do you pay above the threshold?
18%, on the goods value plus shipping (and insurance, if any) combined — the CIF base. It's not 18% only on the amount above $75; it's on the full total.
What about a card returning from PSA or CGC grading?
Customs treats it as an ordinary import, not a special track. The sensitive question is what declared value goes on the returning package — see the dedicated section in this guide, and for large amounts it's worth consulting a customs broker.
Who actually collects the VAT — the store abroad or someone in Israel?
Usually not the store abroad. The courier or Israel Post collects the VAT when the package clears customs — sometimes through an online payment before delivery, sometimes when you pick up the package. The price shown on the foreign site doesn't include this.
What USD-ILS exchange rate does customs use?
The Bank of Israel's representative rate plus 0.5%, updated weekly. That's not quite the rate you'd see from a normal currency converter, so it's worth calculating with a tool that uses the correct rate instead of guessing from your credit card's rate.