There is considerable confusion regarding Israel’s rules for passengers arriving at Ben Gurion Airport with Arba Minim. A representative of Israel’s Agriculture Ministry has now clarified the current rules to Chaim V’Chessed.

Each passenger is permitted to bring one esrog into the country, for personal use. The other minim (lulav, hadassim and aravos) may not be brought into Israel, and inspectors will confiscate these items, if found. However, the Agriculture Ministry will give travelers a new set, in lieu of the confiscated set. For more information, see here.

Chaim V’Chessed has also been contacted by numerous passengers traveling to the United States for Sukkos. Agudath Israel of America has published helpful Arba Minim travel guidelines, based on information from the TSA and CBP. Our thanks to Rabbi Ariel Sadwin of Agudath Israel of Maryland for his assistance in this matter. For more information on Arba Minim travel in the United States, see here.