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New USA Tariffs

Heads-up for our U.S. customers: Import tariffs are here (but we've got you!)

If you’ve ever ordered from our store and breezed through checkout without a second thought about import taxes — well, you’re not alone. Most U.S. shoppers are used to getting international packages without any surprise fees. But as of August 29, that’s changed.

What’s New?

Due to recent U.S. policy changes, all shipments from Israel are now subject to import tariffs, even small orders. We know — that doesn't sound like great news. But we want to be upfront and help you navigate it.

A Global Perspective

While this might feel like sticker shock, it’s actually the norm in most parts of the world. Our customers in Europe, Australia and elsewhere have always paid import duties. U.S. shoppers are just now catching up to what’s been standard practice globally.

Domestic ≠ Duty-Free

Thinking of switching to a U.S. vendor to dodge the fees? Here’s the twist: most Judaica products sold in the U.S. are still imported, meaning retailers pay customs and pass those costs on to you. So the price tag might look different, but the math usually works out the same — or higher.

We’re Making It Clear

We’re working hard to make these new tariffs as transparent as possible and you'll now see the import duty prepaid at checkout, so there are no surprises when your package arrives.

Hey wait! Shouldn't religious articles be exempt from import taxes?

We constantly get requests from our European customers to be sure the products are described as "religious items" on the customs declaration. But in most cases that doesn't help. Likewise the new U.S. tariffs do not make exceptions for religious items, Judaica, etc. (Except in the case of a bona fide religious institution. For example, an order for 20 tallits addressed to a synagogue and paid for on the synagogue account would probably qualify for an exemption, but you can't just list the synagogue office address as the shipping address and claim it's for a religious institution.) 

Supporting Israeli businesses

We believe our customers will continue to support Israeli businesses, especially given the unique challenges Israel has faced in recent years. Every purchase helps sustain Israeli manufacturers, distributors and families.

Good News on Tallit Prices!

Here’s a silver lining: thanks to increased competition among tallit makers, prices have actually dropped in recent months. We’ve passed those savings directly on to you, which helps offset the new tariffs.

How much will it cost me?

The new tariff is a flat 15% on shipments from Israel. You'll see that listed as "Import Duty" during checkout if you select the United States as the shipping country.

If 15% sounds like an arm and a leg, consider the following: here in Israel we pay 18% VAT, in Canada they pay 13% in some provinces + CAD 9.95 for handling, in the UK they pay 20% VAT + a handling fee, in much of the European Union they pay 19%-22% VAT, and in some countries (e.g. South Africa, Hungary) the customs and VAT can be a lot higher.

The tariff rate set by the US for Israel is actually at the lower end among countries with a trade deficit with the US.

I'd like to know more about the fees beyond the 15% duty.

When shipments are sent without the import duty paid up front, it means the recipient would get charged the USA import duty (i.e. tariff) via the shipping company. And they charge an exorbitant administrative fee. In CBP lexicon, they refer to these as the Entry Preparation Fee, the Disbursement Fee and the Merchandise Processing Fee, which can come out to $30 or more. Not cheap!

And that's why we now have only prepaid options listed for US customers. As a volume shipper we have arrangements with Israel Post and UPS to get very low rates for these fees, so we're able to pass those savings on to our customers.

Are there any good workarounds?

Not really. We've always had customers who assume they should wait til their next trip to Israel to stock up on Judaica purchases. But that doesn't help, given the 18% VAT added to all consumer goods in Israel. When we ship abroad, the order is exempt from VAT.

We've always had customers in Canada or Mexico who try to arrange a shipping address in the USA to avoid their country's duties, and then figure out a way to get it to them with a friend or relative. Obviously that's not going to happen anymore, and now customers in the USA are sort of in the same boat in terms of having no duty-free options.

But can't you list it as a gift or a sample or write a low value on the customs declaration?

Well, in a word, no. We don't do that sort of shtick. And in today's digital world, even vendors who are less honest can't really get away with it. Shipping is not the way it was a decade ago when the sender took out a pen and wrote out the label and shipping declaration on carbon-copy. Nowadays the invoice, shipping label and payment information all have to match up.