Government approves customs duties exemption on online purchases

The Israeli cabinet approved last week one of the Trajtenberg social reform committee report recommendations to increase market competition.
 
The cabinet approved last week exempting from customs duties for online purchases of goods- ordered for private use and sent by either mail or air freight - from duty up to a value of NIS 1,200 (~320US$), 20% more than the NIS1000 proposed in the report.
 
This will not include alcohol and tobacco products. The exemption does not require legislation, only Minister of Finance Steinitz's signature on the directive.
 
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu noted that the benefits would save Israelis "hundreds of shekels each month." “The tax exemption on Internet purchases will increase competitiveness and lower prices”.