Procedures simplified for business with Israel - export procedures

Business America, July 26, 1993

As a result of consultations between the governments of Israel and the United States in May 1993, procedures have been simplified for exporters in both countries.

First, both sides have agreed to improvements to a Customs Agreement signed in March. Israel will accept as valid the U.S.-Israel Certificate of Origin (the Green Form) that does not contain a notarization (box 12 on the Certificate of Origin) or a certification by a Chamber of Commerce (box 11), provided that:

1) If the exporter is the producer, the following signed declaration is typed on the Certificate of Origin (preferably in box 11):

"The undersigned hereby declares that he/she is the producer of the goods listed on this invoice and that they comply with the origin requirements specified for those goods in the U.S.-Israel Free Trade Area Agreement for goods exported to Israel."

2) If the exporter is not the producer, a letter from the product's producer must be attached to the form certifying the product is of U.S. origin under the rules of the FTA. The attached letter must:

a. Be on the letterhead of the producing company;

b. Be signed by an authorized employee of the producing company;

c. Specifically refer to the shipment described in the customs form, including the invoice date; and,

d. Read as follows:

"The undersigned hereby declares that the goods in the attached invoice were produced in the United States of America and that they comply with the origin requirements specified for those goods in the U.S.-Israel Free Trade Area Agreement for goods exported to Israel."

Israel will continue to accept the U.S.-Israel Certificate of Origin that does contain a notarization (box 12) and the certification by a Chamber of Commerce (box 11). But exporters would only need to get certification and notarization in cases when they are not the producer and they do not wish to reveal the actual producer. The changes specified are currently being adhered to by Israeli Customs.

Israel has implemented a new customs regulation declaring that products of U.S. origin which Israeli Customs cannot positively confirm will be released on payment of full third-country duties, except when, according to Israeli law, the goods might be seized for cause. If the goods are later found to be of U.S. origin, the duties will be refunded. This will alleviate the problem of exports from the United States being held indefinitely and allow the goods to enter into commerce immediately.

3) Both countries agreed to implement the acceptance of blanket Certificates of Origin no later than September 1993. An exporter holding a blanket certificate would no longer have to obtain a Certificate of Origin for repeat shipments of goods to Israel. Additional information will be available soon.

The Department of Commerce believes these changes will render immediate benefits to American exporters. If there are any other questions regarding these changes, call Commerce's automated data hotline at (202) 482-1064. The relevant document number is 0706. Direct any other questions regarding doing business in Israel to the 0700 series of the automated data hotline.