Palestine customs rules & duty-free allowances

Last reviewed October 1, 2026·Official source

There is no Palestinian customs service. Every crossing into the West Bank and Gaza is controlled by Israel, and the Israel Tax Authority collects duties on your behalf. The biggest risk is assuming otherwise: you clear Israeli customs, the red/green channel is run by Israel, and penalties and appeals go through Israeli courts. Declare anything beyond personal effects — undeclared goods and cash are routinely seized, and travellers with a Palestinian ID face separate, stricter lanes.

Duty-free allowances

Alcohol
1.0 L
1 litre of spirits (over 22% ABV) OR 2 litres of wine OR 2 litres of beer per adult (18+). Above that, Israeli excise and purchase tax apply — roughly 75–130% of value depending on category. Alcohol is illegal in Gaza and restricted in parts of the West Bank; the customs allowance itself is Israeli.
Tobacco
200 cigarettes
or 50 cigars / 250 g
Cash to declare
$10,000
ILS 40,000 (approx. USD 10,800) or foreign-currency equivalent. Declare on Israeli Customs Declaration Form 100 at the red channel or online via the ITA portal before arrival. Undeclared cash can be seized and fines can reach 30% of the amount.
Goods duty-free
$800
USD 800 (approx. ILS 3,000) worth of personal goods and gifts per traveller, duty-free. Above that, Israeli purchase tax and 17% VAT apply. Keep receipts; customs officers routinely ask for them at Allenby Bridge.

Prohibited — banned from import

  • Narcotics and psychotropic substances — penalties under Israeli law are severe, including mandatory prison terms
  • Pork products and non-halal meat (banned in Gaza; restricted in parts of the West Bank under Palestinian Authority religious rules)
  • Weapons, ammunition and military equipment without an Israeli Defence Ministry permit
  • Counterfeit goods and pirated media — Israeli customs actively seizes these
  • Incitement material — anything Israel deems incitement to violence or terrorism, including certain political literature and flags
  • Drones and satellite phones without a prior Israeli Communications Ministry licence

Restricted — allowed with a permit or declaration

  • Prescription medicines — up to 3 months personal supply with prescription; controlled drugs need an Israeli MOH permit
  • Live animals and pets — require an Israeli veterinary import permit and rabies vaccination certificate
  • Plants, seeds and soil — require a phytosanitary certificate from the country of origin
  • Firearms — only with an Israeli police permit, and even then only for specific hunting or security purposes
  • Cultural artefacts — Palestinian antiquities require an Israeli Antiquities Authority export permit; removing them without one is a criminal offence

Arriving: red vs green channel

At Allenby Bridge (the main crossing from Jordan) and Ben Gurion Airport you go through Israeli customs, not a Palestinian one. There is a red/green channel system: green if you have nothing to declare and are within allowances, red if you are over any limit or carrying restricted goods. Form 100 is handed out on the plane or at the border — fill it in before you reach the channel. Random inspections are common, especially for young male travellers and anyone with a Palestinian ID.

Tax-free shopping & VAT refunds

There is no Palestinian tourist VAT refund scheme. Israeli VAT refunds (17%) are available only for purchases made inside Israel proper, not in the West Bank or Gaza. If you buy in Ramallah or Bethlehem, you pay the price and cannot reclaim VAT at the border. Some Israeli shops in Jerusalem offer refunds, but the scheme is administered by Israel, not the PA.

Bringing medication

Bring personal medication in original packaging with a doctor's letter and prescription. Israeli customs allows up to a 3-month supply of non-controlled prescription drugs for personal use. Controlled substances (opioids, benzodiazepines, amphetamines, medical cannabis) require an Israeli Ministry of Health permit — without it, you can be arrested. Some common Western medications containing codeine or pseudoephedrine are restricted; check with the Israeli MOH before travel. Gaza has additional restrictions on many medicines due to the blockade.

Food, plants & animal products

Fresh meat, dairy, eggs, honey and most animal products are banned from import without an Israeli veterinary permit. Fresh fruit and vegetables are generally allowed in small quantities for personal consumption but must be declared. Plants, seeds, soil and cut flowers require a phytosanitary certificate. Anything from a foot-and-mouth or avian flu outbreak country is confiscated and destroyed. Processed, shelf-stable foods (canned goods, biscuits, chocolate) are usually fine within the personal allowance.

Rules worth knowing

Israeli customs, not Palestinian

There is no Palestinian customs authority. All entry points into the West Bank and Gaza are controlled by Israel, and Israeli customs law applies. If a tour operator tells you otherwise, they are wrong. Your declaration is made to the Israel Tax Authority.

Gaza entry is a separate regime

Entering Gaza requires prior coordination with Israeli authorities (COGAT) and Egyptian authorities at Rafah. The customs allowances above apply in theory, but in practice almost everything is restricted or banned due to the blockade. Do not attempt to bring in goods beyond personal clothing and medication without written approval.

Palestinian ID holders face different rules

If you hold a Palestinian ID or are travelling on a Palestinian passport, you go through a separate lane and are subject to different, often stricter, customs scrutiny. The duty-free allowances are the same on paper, but expect longer inspections and more questions about goods you are carrying.

Alcohol in Gaza and parts of the West Bank

Alcohol is illegal in Gaza and restricted in some Palestinian Authority-controlled areas. Even if Israeli customs allows you 1 litre of spirits, you can be stopped by Palestinian police if you carry it openly in Ramallah or Nablus. Keep it sealed and in your luggage until you reach private accommodation.

Frequently asked questions

Yes. Allenby Bridge (King Hussein Crossing) is an Israeli-controlled border point. You pass through Israeli passport control and then Israeli customs. There is a red/green channel. If you have nothing to declare, go green. If you are over any allowance, go red and expect to pay duty on the spot in Israeli new shekels (ILS) or by card.
No. Alcohol is prohibited in Gaza under Hamas law, and Israeli customs will not allow it through the crossing. Even if you declare it, it will be confiscated. The same applies to pork products. If you are entering Gaza, assume a zero-tolerance policy on both.
Israeli customs can seize the entire amount and fine you up to 30% of the undeclared sum. You may also be detained for questioning. The declaration is made on Form 100 at the red channel or online before arrival. There is no amnesty — if you are caught, you lose the money and face a criminal record.
Ben Gurion Airport has duty-free shops on arrival, but Allenby Bridge does not. If you are crossing from Jordan, buy your duty-free before you leave Jordan — there is nothing on the Israeli side. Duty-free purchases still count toward your allowance; you cannot buy 2 litres of spirits at Ben Gurion and then claim you only have 1 litre.
Yes, up to a 3-month personal supply with a valid prescription and doctor's letter. Controlled drugs (opioids, benzodiazepines, medical cannabis) require an Israeli Ministry of Health permit obtained before travel. Without it, you can be arrested at the border. Some common Western cold medicines containing pseudoephedrine are also restricted — check the Israeli MOH website.
No. The Palestinian Authority does not operate a VAT refund scheme. Israeli VAT refunds are only for purchases made inside Israel (e.g., Tel Aviv, Jerusalem) and claimed at Ben Gurion Airport. If you buy souvenirs in Bethlehem or Ramallah, you pay the full price and cannot reclaim anything at the border.
Processed, shelf-stable foods (canned goods, biscuits, chocolate, tea, coffee) are fine within your USD 800 personal allowance. Fresh meat, dairy, eggs and honey are banned without an Israeli veterinary permit. Fresh fruit and vegetables are allowed in small quantities for personal consumption but must be declared. Anything from a country with an active animal disease outbreak will be confiscated.

Official source

Israel Tax Authority — Customs Division (applies to all crossings into the West Bank and Gaza)

For guidance only. Customs allowances and prohibited-item lists change without notice — always confirm with Israel Tax Authority — Customs Division (applies to all crossings into the West Bank and Gaza) before travelling.