Obtaining an Import Permit for Food of Animal Origin

This service allows importers to obtain an initial permit for importing food of animal origin, including fish, raw and processed fish products, and processed meat products.

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A food import permit is a document issued by the National Food Service Veterinary Department. The permit is issued for a period of one year; however, importers can request an extension for up to four additional years. After that period, a new application must be submitted.
An importer’s permit applies to a specific importer and to an import from a specific country for a specific food product, manufactured in a specific factory. A permit cannot be transferred to the use of other importers.
Food products requiring supervision by the veterinary unit include any product containing 30% or more of animal origin, including fish and its products, meat products, or any other food product containing meat or fish. These products are stored at controlled temperatures and exclude canned goods.

For raw, chilled fish imported from a country with factories certified by an external body, the product can be registered based on the supplier instead of a specific factory. This is allowed only if the supplier has obtained a permit from an external body.
The validity of the permit, the detailed requirements, and the attached indications are integral parts of the food import permit.
Importers are solely responsible for the safety of the product and its labeling.
Shipping a delivery to Israel is not possible without an initial permit.

Submitting the application along with the relevant documents by the registered importers or their representatives.
If the application is submitted by the representatives, a relevant power-of-attorney document for the specific calendar year must be included.
Document review: the Veterinary Unit’s office ensures that all the required documents are attached to the request.
Missing documents: if any documents are missing, the applicants will receive a request to complete the materials. They must do so as soon as possible.
Receipt of request: once all the documents have been received, the application gets a number and is forwarded for review by professionals.
Reviewing the application by the professional team: at this stage, the responsible veterinarian will review the submitted materials. If necessary, requests will be made for additional documents, specifications, analyses, or corrections to any deficiencies found. Upon completion of the review, an import permit will be issued, including the signing of preliminary labels for import approval.

An approval document issued by a recognized external authority outside the source country that distributes the information, its results, and conclusions openly and accessibly to the general public via the internet, updated to the submission date, such as EU approval.
A basic label, specific to the product, including trimming options, various coatings, and red marking as required by the Nutritional Labeling Law of 2017.
A representative’s power of attorney document updated and true to the same calendar year.

For processed products:

A factory’s technical specification, including components and food additives, microbial levels, chemical contaminants, chemical residues in the final product, and nutritional values.
Analyses.
Flow charts and critical control points of the product's HACCP plan.

Documents must be submitted in English or in any other language, along with a notary translation into English.
The documents’ validity is as specified. Without specifying the validity period, the documents will be valid for 12 months from the date of issue, at the latest.

A fee must be paid for the application through the payment website.
Please type the following details:
- Importer’s registration number.
- Number of the private company.
- Application reference number as received in the return mail.
If one of the details is incorrect, an error message will be displayed.
If the information is correct, the amount to be paid will be displayed.
Payment is performed in accordance with the guidelines on the payment website.
At the end of the payment process, a payment confirmation will be forwarded to the Food Service, for subsequent application processing.
Applications will be processed within two business days, and applicants will receive a notification with the application reference number.

Log into the Food Services Portal.
Attach all the required documents in PDF format.
Scan each document as a separate document.
Ensure documents are scanned in a clear and legible format.
Name each document according to its content, e.g., food specification, technical specification, certified authority’s approval, label.
The total size of all scanned files attached to the application must not exceed 1 MB.
Submit the application file and all the other documents by email to [email protected].
Upon receipt of the application in the system, an automatic message will be sent to the applicants with either the application number or a denial notice with an explanation.
Return mail will be sent from the address [email protected]. Do not reply to this email!

For raw food products, a response will be received within 14 days of application submission, provided all documents are complete and valid.
For processed food products, a response will be received within 21 days of application submission, provided all documents are complete and valid.

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Please note, if there is any difference or conflict between the information on this page and the law, the provisions of the law will apply.

National Food Services

*5400

Fax: 02-5655969

Sunday through Thursday: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Fridays and holiday eves: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Hol HaMoed Sukkot and Passover: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Postal address
39 Yirmiyahu Street, Jerusalem, POB 1176, 9101002