International shopping allows Israeli consumers to find brands and products not found in Israel, and often at a better price. Unfortunately customers find international shipping costly, slow and difficult to navigate around customs.
Thankfully, most of these frustrations can be minimized. For a better experience, understand amazon israel shipping and quality alternatives.
With this guide we will introduce you to the best ways to make international shopping an easy service from Israel.
Understanding the Common Challenges
Retailers outside of Israel have a lot to offer potential customers, but international buying comes with its fair share of frustrations.
Although the deals may seem enticing, many customers avoid buying from abroad after considering the high cost of overseas shipping, the long and unpredictable extended delivery times, and the customs duties that can pop up unexpectedly and frequently.
There’s also the chance that a customer’s purchase will get stuck at a border and involve a cumbersome, if not impossible, amount of additional paperwork.
By learning about amazon israel shipping solutions early, you can avoid most pitfalls.
Many services offer specialized import solutions to Israel and take care of the entire process themselves, from packing to the final mile, to your doorstep.
This can give you the confidence to buy from any retailer you want, since the services are not specifically for Amazon only, and work for eBay and other specialized retailers from Europe, Asia, and the United States.
Best Methods for Hassle-Free International Ordering
Using a package forwarding service is a great option for international shipping. Once you register, you will be assigned an address (usually located in the US or Europe) to which you can send your packages.
The package forwarding service will then send your packages to you in Israel. The service will also repackage and consolidate your packages which will help with the shipping costs and customs in Israel.
For those who use Amazon, there is a direct shipping option to Israel, however, the shipping method is often better when used in conjunction with a forwarding service.
Along with forwarding services, make sure you use a service that can help you with Israeli customs forms, offers package insurance, and tracking.
Many well known forwarding services will also estimate the duties so the packages will not arrive with unexpected costs.
Using a reselling service or partnering with local importers in Israel can be helpful as well. They import large quantities of goods in order to resell to the local market, which may help lower the cost for customers.
Also, using globally accepted payment methods will help with some of the payment challenges for cross border transactions.
Step-by-Step Guide to Ordering Successfully
First, check the retail company’s shipping policy regarding Israel. If they do not ship to Israel directly, or if it’s too expensive, sign up for a reputable package forwarding company. You can create an account to get your personal overseas package forwarding address.
Then, you can order from the retailer directly.
Next, to save on package forwarding company fees, combine all of your purchases into one shipment. Label packages clearly if you ordered forwarded restricted items. Also use the package forwarding company tracker and save all invoices digitally.
Lastly, prepare for customs by reviewing the Israel Tax Authority duty threshold policy. Most package forwarding companies can guide you through the rest of the customs prep and even handle the declaration for you.
Additional Tips for Smart Israeli Shoppers
Note, shopping during busy holidays may lead to delays and missed orders. Read reviews for the stores you like to see their current shipping experiences for Israel.
Use price comparison apps and coupons for additional savings. Always get insurance for more expensive items.
Streamlining your retail therapy shopping will be achieved by keeping up with policy changes for Amazon Israel and local import regulations.
Conclusion
It’s easier than you think to be an Israeli shopper who orders items from abroad. You can use a package forwarder, research Amazon’s Israeli shipping services, and use some delivery best practices, and you can have items from all over the world delivered to your home.
Build your shopping experience from a small scale to a large scale, and after a while you’ll be asking yourself why you used to choose from a small, local selection. Using these techniques, you can have fun rather than dread shopping from abroad.