Q: I have heard horror stories about charges at the port. As an oleh hadash do I have to pay any taxes?

A: This is a more complicated question than it may originally seem....
Israel has "invented and created" numerous kinds of taxes. Today I shall discuss the port tax (mas namal) In the future, I shall address Value Added Taxes or VAT (mas erech nosaf or mam) and customs duties (meches).
New olim are the only people exempt from the 1.02% port tax (mas namal"). As you may have noted, not only are you exempt, but the real amount of the tax is 1.02%.
If your delivery agent wants to charge you any amount for port tax (mas namal ), there is a mistake and you should refuse to pay it.
For all others (non-olim), this tax is calculated according to the value of the shipment, including ocean freight and cost of insurance. This can easily add hundreds of dollars if you have a large or high value shipment.
If you are an oleh, have already paid this fee and your delivery agent does not kindly return the money along with an apology, small claims court may be the most effective way to get their attention and your money returned.