Applying for a Confirmation Attesting to the Submission of an Online Declaration for the Import of Regular (Non-Sensitive) Food

The Public Health Protection Law (Food), 5776-2015 (Hebrew) became effective on 30.09.2016. The amendment to the law allows for the import of regular food by means of an online process, designed to simplify food export processes and to allow for the completion of forms through the internet.

Upon the law's entry into force, it is now possible to release food shipments upon presenting confirmation documents and records of regular food according to the following specification: confirmation documents submitted pursuant to the law starting from 30.09.2016 remain effective indefinitely, on the condition that there was no use gap for a period exceeding two years.

Who can file the application?

• Food importers
• Importers' representatives

Emphases for application submission

• A regular food shipment in the online process that meets the conditions and that was not sampled for random inspection should receive an online release within one business day from the computer system (with no need for inspection by the inspector at the quarantine station).
• The rate of random inspections of regular food that was sampled for inspection by the online process will be up to 5%.
• Initiated inspections of food shipments will be performed based upon risk management.
• The payment of the toll for the release of shipment from the quarantine station remains unchanged.
• The Law provides for, among other things:
  • What constitutes a change that requires the submission of a report to the National Food Services and what constitutes a change that requires the submission of a new declaration.
  • Requirements related to the obligation to preserve documents, labels, packages and laboratory test results.
  • Consistency requirements: A list of food businesses to whom the food was delivered directly should be maintained, and a copy of the delivery documents including the details defined by the law. Moreover, the importer is required to keep documents in accordance with the requirements of the law.
  • Shipment of regular products that includes at least one sensitive product will be processed according to the procedure for the inspection of sensitive food.

The importance of understanding the process

• It is recommended that you read the law thoroughly.
• The online process for the import of regular food is a new one, and the responsibility lying with the importer is immense. Therefore, it is important to make sure that the requirements and conditions are well-understood before proceeding to import food through this process.
• Among other things, should any failings be found, they may confer upon the importers the status of "breach of trust" and subject them to additional enforcement means.

Inquiries and questions on the subject of food import

• All inquiries are to be filed only through the Food Services Portal (either through the open zone or the secured zone).
• The online registration is designed to simplify food import processes. However, it does not absolve importers from complying with the requirements of the Public Health Protection Law and the requirements of any other law.

Service cost

• Importers will pay a one-time toll for each declaration, at the government payments website, by means of a credit card.
• The toll's current amount, pursuant to the law: 384 NIS.

How do I file the application?

You need to complete the importer's declaration submission form online.

Further processing of the application

• Upon making a payment, applicants will receive the confirmation documents to their e-mail address that exists in the system.
• For purposes of releasing a shipment from the quarantine station, you need to initiate a process for the release of imported food (non-animal-based food).