Israel to Change Taba Border Crossing Fee Collection Method

Israel's Ministry of Transportation is proposing a change to how the departure fee is collected at the Menachem Begin (Taba) border crossing. Under the new plan, the fee, currently 120 shekels, would be collected upfront from all travelers, including those only visiting the Taba area. This fee would then be refunded upon their return to Israel, provided they did not travel beyond Taba into other parts of Egypt. This adjustment aims to address difficulties faced by the Airports Authority in enforcing the existing exemption for travelers who stay within one kilometer of the border. The proposed regulation change comes after a class-action lawsuit was filed in July 2023, alleging that the prior collection method, which granted exemptions at the point of departure for Taba-only visitors, was inconsistent with regulations. The lawsuit was certified as a class action in July 2024, and in June 2025, the Supreme Court rejected an appeal by the Airports Authority, ruling that regulations require the exemption to be recognized at the time of departure. However, the court acknowledged the operational challenges. The Airports Authority cited instances where travelers falsely declared they were only visiting Taba while proceeding to other Sinai destinations, causing financial losses. The proposed change seeks to reinstate the practice of collecting the fee first and refunding it to eligible travelers, now with explicit regulatory backing, acknowledging the Supreme Court's recognition of the operational difficulties while seeking compliance with its ruling. The Taba crossing is a significant gateway, handling close to a million passengers and approximately 70,000 vehicles annually.