From 400 to 10 cars per year: new rules threaten imports of several models in Israel

Israel's Ministry of Transport has published import regulations for 2027 that would reduce the import of vehicles under the small-batch scheme from 400 to 10 cars per year. This puts at risk the supply of several models, including Avatr and JAC, which relied on this exception. Importers have appealed to the ministry to extend the previous permit, but have yet to receive a response.

Israel's Ministry of Transport has published import regulations for 2027 that sharply reduce the import of vehicles under the small-batch scheme — from 400 to 10 cars per year. The document puts at risk the supply of several models, including Avatr and JAC, for which the ability to sell 400 cars per year remained necessary. Importers have already appealed to the ministry to extend the previous permit, but have not yet received a response. The ministry stated that the vehicle authority is reviewing the matter together with legal experts. The small-batch scheme allowed the import of vehicles that do not fully meet European requirements. Initially, the exception was intended for exotic supercars, but in Israel it was used to stimulate the entry of Chinese electric vehicles into the market. Chinese brands are now widely represented in Europe, and the original purpose of the benefit has largely lost its relevance. At the same time, vehicles imported under the small-batch scheme arrived with incomplete safety equipment, and subsequent deliveries of the corresponding models often did not continue. A final decision on maintaining the previous limit in 2027 has not yet been made.