Taybeh is located south of Tulkarm, officially opened by the Israelis at the end of 2005. The crossing serves the cities of Nablus, Tulkarm, Qalqelia and part of Jenin. It is used for both imports and exports between West Bank and Israel. The crossing officially opens from Sunday to Friday, and closes on Saturdays and Jewish holidays. Currently, there is no official Palestinian presence at the crossing. The crossing is divided into two main sections: one for movement of goods and the other for the movement of persons, particularly laborers. The crossing is equipped with a scanner machine with capacity of around 5 trucks at once and a containers' crane, in addition to 4 small forklifts and one big forklift. Barta’a is used as an alternative crossing for people who own businesses or are citizens there.
Tarqumia is located northwest of Hebron district in the south of the West Bank. The crossing is located about 150 meters west of the present Tarqumia checkpoint and officially opened by the Israelis at the end of November 2007. The crossing serves the cities of Hebron and the southern cities of the West Bank. It is used for both imports and exports between West Bank and Israel. The crossing officially opens from Sunday through Thursday from 06:30 - 16:00 for outgoing truckloads and from 06:30 - 19:00 for incoming truckloads and outgoing empty trucks. On Fridays, the crossing opens from 07:00 - 08:30 for incoming truckloads of animal feeds only, and closes on Saturdays and Jewish holidays. Currently, there is no official Palestinian presence at the crossing, noting that it is over a kilometer east of the 1967 border.
Goods are transferred in an open area that is divided into 4 exporting lanes, and it is equipped with two scanning machines, 7 small forklifts and 1 large forklift, and a large crane. Gilo Tunnel, Husan- Betar Illit-Wadi Fukin and Tsur Hadassah are currently used as alternative trade routes.
The Commercial Crossing opening hours are Sunday - Thursday 8 AM – 5 PM, Friday 8 AM – 2 PM
Betunia is located southwest of Ramallah; it was defined as a trade crossing by the Israeli Authorities in 2002, used for both imports and exports between West Bank and Israel. The crossing serves the cities of Ramallah, Northern Cities and Suburbs of Jerusalem located within the vicinity of the West Bank. The crossing officially opens from Sunday to Friday, and closes on Saturdays and Jewish holidays. Currently, there is no official Palestinian presence at the crossing. It is located within the West Bank and not at the 1967 border. The crossing is equipped with only 2 forklifts, and it has an inspection area which is divided into four main sections according to the types of products including manufactured products and agricultural crops, cement, sand and aggregates, and chemical products. The inspection process is done manually since there are no scanners at the crossing. The crossing is controlled by the Jerusalem District Police but, the loading an unloading process is done by a private company. It is important to note that Betunia Crossing is the only crossing that imposes charges for the back-to-back process. These charges depend on the type of truck; Van is charged NIS 20, Truck is charged NIS 30, Semi-trailer is charged NIS 45, and full-Trailer is charged NIS 90. It shall be also noted that rejected trucks pay these charges only if loading and unloading took place. Some routes such as Atarah, Rantees, and Nialeen and Jaba’a, are used as alternative trade.
The Commercial Crossing opening hours are Sunday - Thursday, 7 AM - 4:30 PM, and Friday, 7 AM – 12 PM
Al Jalameh is located north of Jenin, the crossing serves the Jenin and Nablus cities. It is used for both imports and exports between West Bank and Israel (mainly agricultural produce). The crossing officially opens from Sunday to Friday, and closes on Saturdays and Jewish holidays. Currently, there is no official Palestinian presence at the crossing. The crossing is equipped with 4 small forklifts, and a mobile scanning machine with a capacity of around 5 truckloads at a time.
The Commercial Crossing opening hours are Sunday - Thursday 8 AM – 5 PM, Friday 8 AM – 2 PM
Biet Hanoun crossing is the only access point for Gazan workers and traders with valid permits to enter Israel. It’s also the crossing for access for medical referrals as medical referrals require passage through Erez crossing for treatment in Israel. Access for humanitarian organizations through Biet Hanoun crossing requires prior coordination with Israeli authorities to enter and leave the Gaza Strip. Biet Hanoun crossings open six days a week with exceptional closure for security reasons and national Israeli holidays.
AL-Montar crossing was the main commercial crossing for Gaza strip as most goods imported into the Gaza Strip and all exported goods passed through Al-Montar, it was also used for the entry of international humanitarian relief supplies. Al-Montar crossing closed since 11 June 07. Al-Montar grain conveyor closed since March 2011. Al-Montar cement lane has been completely closed since 29 October 2008.
Sufa crossing borders Israel and is situated northeast of Rafah crossing. In the past, this crossing point was open for some Palestinians working in the agricultural sector. However, since 30 May 2004 the crossing has only been used for importing construction materials, notably gravel. Sufa crossing Closed since September 2008 (exceptionally opened from March to April 2011).
Nahal Oz was used for importing fuel (including benzene, diesel and gas) and has been closed since January 2010.
Karem abu Salem Crossing is located in the southern Gaza Strip, near the Israeli-Palestinian-Egyptian border, 3.6 km from the Rafah crossing. It’s the only operational commercial crossing between Gaza Strip and Israel for importing goods from (or VIA) Israel and exporting good to the outside world. Karem Abu Salem opens five days a week for the movement of authorized goods only (Construction materials, Fuels, Gas and other Commodities).
Rafah passenger crossing is the point of access for Gazans travelling to, or overseas through, Egypt and is located on the Gazan border with Egypt. Rafah border crossing is partially operational ( since June 2013) for the movement of a number of authorized travelers, Palestinian medical and humanitarian cases only. On few occasions Rafah crossing was used for transfer of some goods such as humanitarian relief goods and construction materials.
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Customs export procedure at crossing points |
Shipping through Sha’ar Ephraim, Tarqumia, Betunia, Al Jalameh crossing points |
Export documents required |
1. Exports via King Hussein Bridge
2. Exports via Israeli ports
For the detailed step-by-step process, click here (hyperlink going to p.22 of the Trade corridor II report)
1. Commercial invoice
The commercial invoice is a record or evidence of the transaction between the exporter and the importer, with the terms that both parties have agreed upon in advance. Once the goods are available, the exporter issues a commercial invoice to the importer, who has to sign a copy and return it to the exporter.
No specific form is required. The commercial invoice must be submitted in the original along with at least one copy. In general, there is no need for the invoice to be signed. In practice, both the original and the copy of the commercial invoice are often signed. The commercial invoice may be prepared in any language. However, a translation into English is recommended.
This document should include as many details as possible. The minimum data generally included are the following:
2. Packing List
Prepared by the producer/exporter, the packing list provides information on the imported items and the packaging details of each shipment. It generally include:
Mistakes in the packing list can cause a delay in clearance at the port of destination; customs authorities have the right to delay the clearance of the shipment until the importer makes a packing list reflecting the real content of the container. The packing list is unnecessary only when all information contained in it is clearly stated in the invoice.
3. Certificate of Origin
The certificate of origin is necessary for exporters to benefit from preferential tariff treatment. The document is available at the Customs Department of the Ministry of Finance and at the Chamber of Commerce and has to be endorsed by the Ministry of Finance. Template in Arabic:
http://www.ptfp.ps/userfiles/file/Forms%20and%20Applications/Certificate%20of%20Origin.pdf
Finance and at the Chamber of Commerce and has to be endorsed by the Ministry of Finance. Template in Arabic:
http://www.ptfp.ps/userfiles/file/Forms%20and%20Applications/Certificate%20of%20Origin.pdf
The certificate must be typed in English, include the exporters signature, stamped by the Customs Department of the Ministry of Finance and be sealed.
The EUR.1 form is also used when exporting to the EFTA countries and the same procedure applies.
4. Any other documents as per the consignee requirements
Shipping documents required:
An insurance certificate is required for the goods while in transit. The most common form are the "Free On Board" (FOB) and “Cost Insurance and Freight (CIF). The FOB form indicates that the importer receiving the goods must pay for insurance when goods are shipped. The CIF form indicates that the exporter has to pay for the insurance up to the port of arrival. The shipping company provides insurance for the cargo.
The Bill of lading is a document issued by the shipping company to the operating shipper, which acknowledges that the goods have been received on board. The Bill of Lading serves as proof of receipt of the goods by the carrier obliging him to deliver the goods to the consignee. It contains the details of the goods, the vessel and the port of destination.
A number of different types of bills of lading can be used. "Clean Bills of Lading" state that the goods have been received in an apparent good order and condition. "Unclean or Dirty Bills of Lading" indicate that the goods are damaged or in bad order, in this case, the financing bank may refuse to accept the consignor's documents.
The AirWay Bill is a document, which serves as a proof of the transport contract between the consignor and the carrier's company.
A single air waybill may be used for multiple shipments of goods; it contains three originals and several extra copies. One original is kept by each of the parties involved in the transport (the consignor, the consignee and the carrier). The copies may be required at the airport of departure/destination, for the delivery and in some cases, for further freight carriers. The air waybill is a freight bill, which evidences a contract of carriage and proves receipt of goods.
NB. The IATA Standard Air Waybill is a specific type of Air Waybill used by all carriers belonging to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Both the Bill of Lading and the Airway Bill contain the following information:
Shipping marks are important to the safe and speedy transfer of the products. Marks, complying with legal requirements, assist carriers and Custom Authorities to identify the goods.
Common shipping marks are the identification of the importer, the number of the packing case, the port of destination, gross and net weight, outside measurements of the case, the country of origin and cautionary marks if careful handling is needed. However, rules applying to shipping marks can vary according to the country of destination.
Labeling requirements vary according to the country of destination. Normally, detailed rules are applied to foodstuff, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, textile and garments. The importer provides details on labels according to the requirements in the country of destination.
Additional documents required for specific products and specific countries:
Agricultural Products
Pharmaceutical Products
Animal Products
Processed Food Products
Chemicals Products
Other general Palestinian and International certifications needed for basic export standards
To export goods to the U.S.: All companies have to register their facility on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)’s website: http://www.access.fda.gov/.
On the page, click on the first box entitled “FURLS Food Facility Registration Module”.
Here is a guide on how to register:
http://www.fda.gov/downloads/Food/GuidanceRegulation/UCM332657.pdf
You will need to provide the following information:
Common Veterinary Entry Document (CVED) – especially for locally animal processed food for EU market and in particular UK: http://www.food.gov.uk/multimedia/pdfs/blankcved.pdf
Permit from Veterinary Institute (especially for animal produced food) – a prerequisite for import and obtained from Israeli Department of Feeds and Quality
Product Analysis Certificate (especially medicine products)
Palestinian Quality certificate for countries that have signed an agreement with Palestinian Standard Institute (PSI). PSI Contact information: http://www.psi.pna.ps/ar/index.php?p=home
International quality Certificate such as ISO 22000, HACCP, GMP, Globalgap etc., depending on the imported countries regulations
Costs and time
To make an online simulation of the cost and time needed to export your product, from WBGS warehouses to beneficiaries countries, click here (hyperlink to the new portal E-guide http://eg-paltrade.demo.blue.ps/v1/)
The following expenses are applicable to each pallet or container that leaves the exporter warehouse to either the Ashdod Port/Airport via any of the CCs or via the Aqaba Port/Amman Airport via KHB and then to the final destination.
This section provides a price comparison matrix for at least two products that are destined to two destinations via the Israeli and the Jordanian route. The calculations are based on an average number of 15 pallets, an average transportation distance, an average waiting and travelling time, storage, loading/unloading, etc.
Transportation Cost (NIS)
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Truck Route |
West Bank Commercial Crossing |
KHB |
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Ben Gurion Airport |
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West Bank Warehouse |
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King Hussein Bridge (KHB) |
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400-700 per pallet |
400-700 per pallet |
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Notes:
Commercial Crossing Cost
Fees for loading/unloading per pallet vary between 30, 45, 65, or 120 NIS + VAT depending on the truck size (small car, medium sized, big, or large long lorry), and there are no fees for security checks.
These fees apply only to Betunia crossing (Israel issues a bid for private Palestinian companies since the crossing is not recognized as a legal border).
King Hussein Bridge Cost (Israeli Side)
King Hussein Bridge Cost (Jordanian Side)
Gaza Crossing Fees
|
Crossing fees |
||
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|
Fees details |
Cost (NIS) |
|
1 |
Entry fees at the Palestinian side |
20 |
|
2 |
Unloading/loading at the Palestinian bay |
500 |
|
3 |
Entry fees at the Israeli side |
250 |
|
4 |
Unloading/loading at the Israeli bay |
500 |
|
|
Sub-total |
1,270 |
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|
Containerization of goods |
|
|
5 |
Extra cost (goods charge in container at Israeli ports) |
1,000 |
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|
Total cost |
2,270 |