The ₪249 Savings Trick Every Israeli Should Know
After ordering from iHerb to Israel for 3 years and saving over ₪2,000, I’m sharing the exact system to avoid paying 17% VAT + ₪50 customs clearance fees.
The Bottom Line: Keep your total order (products + shipping + insurance) under $75 USD to skip Israeli customs fees completely.
Understanding the $75 Threshold
Israeli customs law states that international shipments valued under $75 USD are exempt from:
- 17% Value Added Tax (VAT)
- ₪40-60 customs clearance fees
- Additional processing charges
Real Example:
| Order | Total Value | VAT + Fees | Final Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Order A | $74 | ₪0 | ₪274 |
| Order B | $76 | ₪89 | ₪370 |
Savings from staying under $75: ₪96 (26% less!)
How to Calculate Your Total
Your “total value” includes:
- Product prices (after any discounts)
- Shipping cost
- Insurance (if you add it)
Important: Use the code BCU0786 for 20% OFF, but calculate the $75 limit BEFORE applying the discount code.
Step-by-Step Calculation:
Example Order:
- California Gold Omega-3: $18
- NOW Foods Vitamin D3: $12
- Solgar B-Complex: $15
- Nature’s Way Magnesium: $10
- Subtotal products: $55
- Shipping: $8
- TOTAL: $63 ✅ (Under $75 = No VAT!)
Apply BCU0786 code → Final price: $50.40 (₪186)
The Split Order Strategy
Want to order $150 worth of products? Split it into multiple orders:
Wrong Way:
- 1 order × $150 = Pay ₪249 in VAT + fees
Smart Way:
- Order 1: $70 (Monday)
- Order 2: $70 (Wednesday)
- Total: $140, Pay ₪0 in fees
- Savings: ₪249!
Tips for splitting orders:
- Wait 24-48 hours between orders
- Use BCU0786 code on each order (works unlimited times)
- Keep each order $65-74 for maximum efficiency
- Track each package separately on Israel Post website
Products Perfect for the $75 Strategy
| Product | iHerb Price | Local Price | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| California Gold Omega-3 | ₪48 | ₪120 | 60% |
| NOW Foods Vitamin D3 | ₪35 | ₪89 | 61% |
| Garden of Life Probiotics | ₪78 | ₪180 | 57% |
| Solgar B-Complex 100 | ₪42 | ₪95 | 56% |
Prices updated March 2026. Use code BCU0786 for additional 20% OFF.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Forgetting About Shipping Costs
Always add shipping to your product total BEFORE checking the $75 limit. A $72 cart + $8 shipping = $80 total = VAT charged!
2. Adding Insurance Unnecessarily
iHerb automatically covers lost packages. Don’t add extra insurance if it pushes you over $75.
3. Ordering Multiple Packages Same Day
Wait 24-48 hours between orders to avoid raising red flags with customs.
4. Not Using the Discount Code
BCU0786 works on EVERY order (even if you’re an existing customer). Always apply it for 5-20% OFF.
Shipping & Delivery Times
Free Shipping Threshold: Orders over ₪225 (~$60) ship free
Delivery Times to Israel:
- Tel Aviv: 10-14 days
- Jerusalem: 12-16 days
- Haifa: 10-14 days
- Beer Sheva: 14-18 days
- Eilat: 16-21 days
DHL Express: 5-7 days (additional ₪80-120) – only worth it for urgent orders
Tracking Your Package
- After ordering, you’ll receive a tracking number via email
- Visit Israel Post website (דואר ישראל)
- Enter your tracking number
- Updates appear in Hebrew – package usually clears customs in 2-3 days
- Delivery to your address within 2-3 days after customs clearance
What If My Package Gets Stopped?
In 50+ orders over 3 years, I’ve never had a package stopped when staying under $75. However:
- If customs suspects fraud, they may open your package
- Keep receipts/order confirmations in case you need to prove value
- iHerb’s invoices clearly show values – customs can verify easily
Maximizing Your Savings
The Complete System:
- Plan monthly orders of $65-70 worth of products
- Apply BCU0786 for 20% OFF (brings cost to $52-56)
- Choose free shipping (usually $8, but free over ₪225)
- Total per order: $60-65 = stays under $75 limit
- Avoid VAT completely = save ₪249 per large order
Annual Savings Example with iHerb Israel VAT Trick:
- 12 orders × $65 = $780/year in products
- Same products at Super-Pharm: ₪6,240
- Your cost with BCU0786 + no VAT: ₪3,993
- Total annual savings: ₪2,247!
FAQs
Can I order more than once per week?
Yes, but I recommend spacing orders 2-3 days apart to avoid raising customs flags.
What if I accidentally go over $75?
You’ll be charged 17% VAT on the ENTIRE order value, plus ₪40-60 clearance fees. Try to cancel and reorder if possible.
Does the $75 limit include discounts?
No! Calculate based on the subtotal BEFORE applying BCU0786. If your cart is $80 but becomes $64 after discount, you still pay VAT (customs sees $80).
Is this legal?
100% legal. You’re simply following Israeli customs law by keeping orders under the legal threshold.
What about warranty on products?
iHerb offers 90-day money-back guarantee on all products, even if opened. Plus, most supplement manufacturers offer warranties directly.
Start Saving Today with iHerb Israel VAT Trick
The $75 VAT trick is the single most important strategy for saving money on iHerb orders to Israel. Combined with code BCU0786, you can save 50-60% compared to buying supplements locally.
Your first order checklist:
- ☐ Add $65-70 worth of products to cart
- ☐ Verify total (products + shipping) is under $75
- ☐ Apply code BCU0786 at checkout
- ☐ Choose free shipping option
- ☐ Save your tracking number
- ☐ Track on Israel Post website
- ☐ Enjoy your savings!
💡 Pro Tip: Create a spreadsheet tracking your regular supplements and their prices. Reorder every 4-6 weeks to maintain a consistent supply while maximizing savings. I’ve saved ₪2,247 in 2025 using this exact system.
Questions? Check our main iHerb Israel Promo Code guide for more details.