Tax authority –import of durable goods up

A spokesman for Israel Tax Authority said last week that an analysis of import figures indicated that in January 2005 NIS 219 million worth of electrical appliances and cars were imported,7.5% less than the NIS 236 million imported in January 2004.
 
According to the Authority vehicle imports totaled NIS 157 million in January 2005, 17.8% less than the NIS 191 million imported in January 2004. Car imports totaled NIS 108 million, 24.5% less than the NIS 140 million imported in January last year.
 
In terms of numbers imported, 8,688 new cars were imported in January 2005, 28% fewer than the 11,896 imported in January 2004. Imports of trucks and tractors rose by 1.3% in January, and imports of motorcycles and scooters rose by 24.5%. This was, according to the Tax Authority the smallest number of car imported in six months.
 
The Tax Authority said that the main reason for the sharp fall in car imports was the release of many new vehicles by importers earlier than usual, during November and December 2004.
 
Imports of most appliances and durable were higher in January 2005 than in January 2004, but contributed little in tax revenues. DVD imports were up 130%, clothes dryers 57%, refrigerators 50%, dishwashers 35, televisions 34%, and clothes washers 6%. In a separate release the Tax Authority reported that in January 2005 cigarette imports rose 20% compared with January 2004.