Q: My wife and I (and oldest child) were A1 temporary residents from 10/87 to 3/89, and sent a lift with various small appliances and household items. We are returning this summer (with our 2 youngest children, who have never lived in Israel before). We would like to send a lift of household items when we come, but are getting nervous because we are being advised to bring no lift, so as to avoid any unpleasantness with customs (or to wait until we get to Israel, meet with customs, and attempt to figure out what we can bring). Is this a reasonable fear? Any advice?

A: While Customs is the only one who can give you a definitive answer, I would expect you will receive the rights of a new immigrant (oleh chadash), minus those rights you have already used. (To be sure, you can write Customs at http://mof.gov.il/customs/eng/mainpage.htm)
Specifically, any appliances you already brought in when you were here in the 80s will be taxed if you bring them in again. You are allowed three lifts in total. Since you already brought in one lift, you will be allowed to bring in two more.
You have the right to bring in lifts, tax free, for up to three years. Again, the period you were here in the 80s will be deducted from your three years.
Your shipper may be able to check online with customs to see what items you already brought in, so you can decide what you would like to ship this time.
A final consideration is your children who were born in the States. If they make aliyah on their own after they are 18, they will have their own rights. Something to think about if they are close to 18.
Good luck in your return home.