Economy03:33 · 1h ago

Israelis Tap Low Dollar to Order Exclusive Home Design Items from Abroad

YnetCenter

Translated & summarized from Ynet by baba

Key points

01Israeli consumers order exclusive home design items from US and European online stores due to limited local availability.
02Forwarding services like RedBox Parcel provide personal addresses abroad for consolidated shipments to Israel.
03Popular brands include Williams Sonoma, West Elm, Crate & Barrel, Target, Anthropologie Home, and Zara Home.
04Shipping suits packages up to 20 kg and takes several weeks, with costs from $19 to $170 depending on weight.
05Buyers must consider customs tax exemptions, possible import duties, and electrical compatibility for some products.
06Some retailers block freight forwarder addresses, but this can be bypassed with precise address entry and payment methods.

In this story

People

Nimrod Magidov

OrganizationsWilliams Sonoma, West Elm, Crate & Barrel, CB2, Target, Anthropologie Home, Dille & Kamille, Zara Home

PlacesIsrael, United States, Europe, Netherlands

The story · English

Israeli consumers increasingly seek unique home design items unavailable locally, turning to international online stores in the US and Europe. Popular global brands such as Williams Sonoma, West Elm, Crate & Barrel, Target, Anthropologie Home, and Zara Home offer exclusive collections and seasonal deals that can now be shipped directly to Israel. These brands provide a wide range of products including kitchenware, furniture, textiles, decorative accessories, and lighting, catering to diverse styles from Scandinavian minimalism to boho-chic.

To facilitate these purchases, Israeli shoppers can register for free with shipping forwarding services like RedBox Parcel, Shiftnavol, USHOPS, and others, which provide personal addresses abroad. Customers add desired items to their carts on international websites, enter the forwarding address at checkout, and then consolidate shipments for cost-effective delivery to Israel. Shipping typically takes several weeks and is suitable for packages up to 20 kilograms and certain size limits, making it ideal for smaller home goods rather than large furniture.

Nimrod Magidov, CEO of RedBox Parcel, notes that demand peaks in summer ahead of the Jewish High Holidays, back-to-school season, and moving periods. He advises caution with fragile items due to limited insurance coverage and recommends verifying electrical compatibility for lighting products. Shipping costs vary by weight and volume, starting at $19 for small parcels and reaching up to $170 for heavier shipments. Some retailers may block orders sent to freight forwarders, but this can be circumvented by precise address entry and payment methods like PayPal.

Buyers should also be aware of Israeli customs regulations, including a tax exemption threshold of $75 for product value excluding foreign shipping, with possible additional taxes on certain goods. Consulting the shipping service’s FAQ is recommended to understand all costs and restrictions before ordering. This growing trend opens access to a broader, higher-quality selection of home design products previously unavailable in Israel, leveraging favorable currency rates and global e-commerce.

Read the original at Ynet