Breaking Update
Israel and US Launch Joint Unit to Combat Trade Fraud
Israel and the US launch a joint Trade Transparency Unit to combat smuggling & economic crime by sharing import-export data, detecting fraud & money laundering.
Jerusalem, 15 February, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Israel and the United States are stepping up their fight against smuggling and economic crime with the creation of a joint Trade Transparency Unit (TTU). Signed during Israeli Customs Administration head Kfir Chen’s visit to Washington, the agreement allows both countries to share and analyze import-export data to detect irregularities such as customs fraud, tax evasion, smuggling, and money laundering.
The TTU will compare export data from one country with import data from the other to spot discrepancies in prices, quantities, or classifications. Implementation, including team training and data transfer, will begin in the coming months, marking a strategic move in bilateral trade enforcement.
