Bar Refaeli BUSTED For iPad At Tel Aviv Airport

JERUSALEM — A famous Israeli export is in trouble for her import.

Supermodel Bar Refaeli was caught at Tel Aviv's international airport this week trying to bring in her newly purchased iPad without declaring it at customs. Items brought into Israel worth more than around $200 are subject to duties.

Refaeli told Israel's Channel 10 TV that she had an iPad in a suitcase that was lost in transit. She said she didn't declare the iPad upon entrance to Israel for a brief commercial appearance.

She is now required to pay 650 shekels ($170) in taxes and fines to get it back.

Israel lifted its ban on the popular tablet computer two weeks ago. The restrictions were initially imposed over concerns the Apple Inc. gadget's wireless signal could disrupt other devices.

Comments

[floater]

09:24 AM on 05/17/2010

I can imagine the lobbying to the press "please refer to her as a supermodel'"

[GrownupStewie]

12:00 AM on 05/17/2010

My brothers Ipad seriously messes up my wireless signal at my house, everytime he brings it over, I cant even use my computer, its just pointless....but he sure as heii can use his ipad.....

[americawasgreatonce]

10:46 AM on 05/16/2010

Israel needs the $170.00 in anticipation of the USA getting smart and cutting them loose. They might need to stand on their own feet for once since they formed their country.

[belyeu]

05:09 PM on 05/16/2010

"Israel needs the $170.00 in anticipation of the USA getting smart and cutting them loose"

Sounds to me like you need the $170 even more.

[GrownupStewie]

12:04 AM on 05/17/2010

a country with over an over 400 billion GDP probably doesnt need the $3 billion or 25% of their military budget that the US provides...they are not a poor country, and if the US "cuts them off" i can promoise you, nobody would miss it up the Military...oh except the US companies who build weapons for the US, they also sell to israel, and 98% of all the Money given to israel is then spent on US weapons....its actually just a way for the US government to subsidize US weapon manufacturers without doing it outright...so....

[belyeu]

12:28 AM on 05/17/2010

"a country with over an over 400 billion GDP probably doesnt need the $3 billion or 25% of their military budget that the US provides."

With all the enemies Israel is surrounded by I would say she need much more.

"oh except the US companies who build weapons for the US, they also sell to israel, and 98% of all the Money given to israel is then spent on US weapons.."

You forgot to mention the estimated 50k American jobs created by Israels spending.

BTW, By law Israel must spend 74% of all aid here in the US. The remaining 26% is used to purchase Israeli weapon systems.

[c1ee]

06:35 AM on 05/16/2010

Ok, I'm still trying to figure out how this is news... Can anyone help me out here?

[jlab]

08:45 AM on 05/16/2010

PLPPO (Pretty lady photo placement opportunity).

[ECB]

02:33 AM on 05/16/2010

My mistake - I thought this was about Bar Refael's Busts.

[clearthinker16]

12:43 AM on 05/16/2010

The Ipad complies with the European rules for transmitting and receiving data, just like they use all over Israel they just were playing games with Apple.

[gymmy]

05:12 PM on 05/15/2010

she's a just a model NOT a supermodel....

[GrownupStewie]

12:06 AM on 05/17/2010

she is a supermodel, im sorry to tell you but she is....when your on countless magazine covers, doing high end fashion shows, dating leo decaprio, and was given the cover for 2009 sports illustrated swimsuit issue....you are a super model..

[gymmy]

05:21 PM on 05/20/2010

Average model who's not even that tall.....with a SUPERAGENT

[LMPE]

02:25 PM on 05/15/2010

Geez, Bar. You couldn't wait to return home to buy one?

[AristotlePA]

09:52 AM on 05/15/2010

Bar Rafaeli thread - YEAH!!!

[MIKEinNYC]

07:32 AM on 05/15/2010

Just like in Israel, when US residents come into our country they must declare what they obtained overseas and, in many cases, pay a tax on it.

It's unfair that many posters have singled out Israel for this policy which is no different from ours and probably most other countries.

[LightShadow62]

08:28 AM on 05/15/2010

I travel all over the globe and have never had to declare my laptop or tools upon entering since it was all leaving the country with me. Now if she intended to give it as a gift to a permanent resident then I can understand the issue.

[MIKEinNYC]

10:01 AM on 05/15/2010

You don't declare your own stuff that returns with you. Just stuff that you newly import. In fact, they give you US customs declarations on the planes before you land in the US. I would imagine, however, that many people cheat.

Israel probably does the same thing.

[belyeu]

05:13 PM on 05/16/2010

"I travel all over the globe and have never had to declare my laptop or tools upon entering since it was all leaving the country with me."

She did not buy her ipad in Israel, she bought it somewhere else. There happens to be a duty when bringing an ipad into Israel. There are also duty fees when bringing certain items back into the US.

[yoyodyne666]

12:03 AM on 05/16/2010

Probably antisemites.

[roxn]

06:26 AM on 05/15/2010

Hmm...

[WhatDaBleep]

04:15 AM on 05/15/2010

Talk about raising the Bar.

[GrownupStewie]

12:07 AM on 05/17/2010

ha

[Barbie and Ken forever]

03:10 AM on 05/15/2010

Damn, she's absolutely stunning

[Notsosurearewe]

12:43 PM on 05/15/2010

Damn, I'm absolutely stunned

[wendelswerk]

01:47 AM on 05/16/2010

How can you tell...the photo was probably photoshopped on a MAC!

[noweknow]

02:25 AM on 05/15/2010

I doubt the airhead knows how to use one.

[alumcreek]

02:41 PM on 05/15/2010

Spoken like a true airhead.

[YesMeeToo]

01:50 AM on 05/15/2010

I am surprised Apple didn't claim iSrael yet!

[HatingTheGame]

06:28 AM on 05/15/2010

Hey, there's an app for that! LOL