Q: I am making aliyah this summer and have no big items that I need to bring with besides my bicycle. What is the best way to get it to Israel (Jerusalem) quickly and cheaply? Should I fly it over on the plane or ship it?
I plan on sending several shipments, but not until I have been in Israel for about six months, would sending the bicycle count against my 3 olim shipments?

A: Dear Dave,

Bringing a bicycle to Jerusalem will guarantee you keep in shape...as long as you keep on riding it!

First of all, if this is the only item you want to ship - then, yes, bringing it with you on the plane is the way to go.
You will pay overweight and since it is coming with you, it will not count as one of your three "tax free" shipments. You should probably check with your airline as to any limitations they may have on size or weight.

But, Dave, I do want to address an issue you touched on.
If you send the bicycle via air freight or by sea, it would definitely count as one of the three "oleh" shipments (unless you paid taxes on it.)

This holds true for a package sent in the post or via courier as well.
If you avoid paying taxes on any shipment by having it declared as an oleh shipment, you will have used up one of your three tax free shipments.

This may not be a problem as long as you do not want to make another lift before your third anniversary of your aliyah.
But if you do...something sent by the post and declared as an oleh shipment could then make you pay customs duties on the next shipment.
Please be aware so you do not "waste" a shipment.

Good luck, Shmuel