Last Updated on November 3, 2021
Getting a Cash Refund in Israel
Hebrew – החזר כספי על קניה
For many years there was no possibility of getting a cash or credit card refund in Israel. Fortunately consumers are now entitled, according to the law, to get a cash refund should they need to return their purchases. This law was legislated on December 14th, 2010.
Before 2010, few stores would even agree to give shoppers their money back and we often had to get into loud, lengthy arguments and fight for a store credit.
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Don’t expect to walk into a store and get your money back – no questions asked. We are not in Walmart or Woolworths. The cash-back refund law has some catches and limitations:
- The item purchased must be valued at over NIS 50. The return will be granted in the same way the purchase was made (cash refund, a check or credit card refund).
- A 5-percent cancellation fee (up to a maximum of NIS 100) will be levied on the returned item.
- The goods must be returned within 14 days of purchase.
- Apparel and footwear can only be returned within two business days and only if the items bear the original tags and were not worn. Underwear or bathing suits are non-refundable.
- A 10% or NIS 100 cancellation fee will be levied on electronic devices (whichever is lower) if the packaging was opened.
Refunds for food, medicine or foreign-vacation package cancellations, are not included in this refund law. Hotel reservations, mobile phone plans and gym memberships are covered and the retailer is required to return the value of the unused portion of the service plan, minus a cancellation fee.
