Breaking Update
Vehicle Imports to Israel More Than Double In January 2026
Vehicle imports in Israel more than doubled in February 2026, with private car imports soaring 123.3% due to favorable exchange rates and tax adjustments.
Jerusalem, 10 March, 2026 (TPS-IL) — The Israel Tax Authority reported that in February 2026, there was a total of 29,729 vehicles (private) imported into the country, compared to 13,312 in February 2025, an increase of 123.3%. Imports of commercial vehicles amounted to 1,050 vehicles compared to 737 in February 2025, an increase of 42.5%.
The sharp increase in imports of passenger and commercial vehicles stems, explained the Tax Authority, on the one hand, from low imports in February 2025 and, on the other hand, from high imports in February 2026 following the decline in the dollar exchange rate. The low imports in February 2025 were explained by the massive advance of vehicle imports in December 2024, on the eve of an increase in the purchase tax on electric vehicles and an update of the green taxation formula and green taxation outline in January 2025.
The Tax Authority also noted that in December 2025, vehicle imports were also advanced on the eve of an increase in the purchase tax on electric vehicles, but in relatively small volumes.
In January 2025, the green taxation formula was updated and the purchase tax rate on electric vehicle imports increased from 35% to 45%.
In January 2026, the purchase tax on electric vehicle imports increased from 45% to 48%.
In the period January – February 2026, vehicle imports totaled 51,774 vehicles, compared to 22,659 vehicles in the same period last year, an increase of 128.5%.
