Classification
Product TypeProcessed Food
Product FormShelf-stable beverage (packaged liquid)
Industry PositionProcessed Food & Beverage Product
Market
Tomato juice in Israel is a processed, shelf-stable beverage category supplied through a mix of imports and domestic beverage/ingredient processors. Israel’s customs tariff classifies tomato juice under HS 2009.50 (including Israeli tariff line 2009500000), and importers must be registered with the Ministry of Health’s National Food Services and follow the online declaration/approval and port release process for imported food. UN Comtrade data (via WITS) records Israel importing HS 200950 tomato juice, making external supply conditions and freight costs relevant to availability and pricing. Packaging and labeling compliance—especially Hebrew nutrition labeling and mandatory front-of-pack red warning symbols when nutrient thresholds are exceeded—are key go/no-go factors for retail access.
Market RoleImport-dependent consumer market (imports recorded; domestic tomato and beverage processing sector present)
Domestic RolePackaged beverage and cooking ingredient sold primarily through retail channels; also used in foodservice beverage/cocktail applications
SeasonalityYear-round retail availability; cost and supply risk is influenced by freight conditions and (where locally sourced) tomato crop disruptions.
Risks
Geopolitical HighRegional security escalation can disrupt consumer demand, staffing and inland logistics, and can also coincide with wider maritime risk events that delay or reroute shipments into Israel, increasing lead-time uncertainty for bulky beverage imports such as tomato juice.Use dual sourcing (domestic and import), hold safety stock for key SKUs, and pre-arrange alternate routing/forwarder options with clear force-majeure and lead-time clauses.
Logistics HighFreight-rate volatility and maritime chokepoint disruptions (notably Red Sea/Suez impacts) can rapidly raise landed cost and delay container arrivals for sea-shipped tomato juice, which has a high bulk-to-value ratio.Lock in freight capacity where possible, prioritize shelf-stable packaging with longer allowable transit time, and diversify carriers/routes to reduce single-lane exposure.
Regulatory Compliance HighNon-compliance with Israel’s Ministry of Health import procedures (importer registration, declaration/approval pathway) and labeling rules (Hebrew nutrition panel and mandatory red warning symbols when thresholds are exceeded) can lead to border release delays or refusal to place product on shelves.Run label and documentation pre-checks against Ministry of Health requirements before shipment; keep a product dossier ready (specifications, ingredients/additives, nutrition, lot coding).
Reputational MediumFor exporters targeting EU channels from Israel, origin-indication guidance for goods from territories occupied since 1967 and settlement-related labeling expectations can create compliance risk and buyer rejection if origin statements are inaccurate or misleading.Implement robust origin traceability and review EU-facing labels/claims with counsel and competent authorities; segregate supply where origin is sensitive.
Supply Chain MediumIsrael’s recorded imports of HS 200950 tomato juice include suppliers from Eastern Europe (e.g., Ukraine and Moldova in available UN Comtrade/WITS snapshots), exposing supply continuity to Black Sea-region disruptions and supplier-side shocks.Qualify alternate origins and pack formats (bulk vs retail packs) and maintain contingency suppliers outside the same risk corridor.
Labor & Social- Geopolitical and reputational screening risk: some counterparties apply enhanced due diligence related to the Israel–Palestinian territories context
- If exporting to the EU, origin-indication rules and settlement-related labeling guidance can create compliance and reputational exposure depending on where goods are produced and how origin is declared
FAQ
Which HS code is used for tomato juice in Israel’s customs tariff?Tomato juice is classified under HS 2009.50 in Israel’s customs tariff (including tariff line 2009500000), with sub-lines that distinguish packaging such as bulk packs (e.g., 100 kg or more) versus other formats.
What is the core pathway to import packaged plant-based tomato juice into Israel?Importers must be registered with the Ministry of Health’s National Food Services, follow the declaration/approval process for non-animal-based food, and obtain shipment release after inspection and approval at quarantine stations at ports, the airport, or land crossings.
When do Israel’s red front-of-pack warning symbols matter for tomato juice?If a tomato juice product exceeds the Ministry of Health thresholds for sodium, total sugars, and/or saturated fat for liquid foods, it must carry the corresponding red warning symbol(s) on the front of pack as part of Israel’s mandatory labeling reform.