The ISZTAR system – what is it and who uses it?

In global trade, every shipment of goods requires not only efficient transport organisation, but also compliance with customs regulations. Product classification, determining customs duties and taxes are processes that have a direct impact on the costs and operational liquidity of companies.

For the TSL industry, this means the need to use tools that facilitate access to reliable information. One of them is ISZTAR – a system that integrates up-to-date information on tariff and tax data.

In this article, we explain what exactly ISZTAR is, what information can be found in it, and who can use it in practice.

ISZTAR – Integrated Customs Tariff Information System

Before we get into the details, it is worth taking a closer look at the ISZTAR system itself – a tool that forms the basis of everyday work in international trade.

What is the ISZTAR system?

The ISZTAR system (Integrated Customs Tariff Information System), currently available in version ISZTAR4, is the Polish implementation of the EU’s TARIC system. It combines European data with national regulations, such as VAT rates, excise duties and non-tariff measures, creating a comprehensive source of information needed for the import and export of goods.

Its main task is to support participants in the trade of goods in the correct classification and accounting of goods. The system is maintained by the Customs Department of the Ministry of Finance, operates online, is free of charge and does not require registration. Regular updates ensure compliance with applicable law.

In short, ISZTAR is a tool that provides quick access to the most important data on commodity codes, customs tariffs, non-tariff measures and taxes in international trade.

What data does ISZTAR contain?

ISZTAR contains a complete set of commodity codes, customs duties, VAT and excise duties, as well as information on non-tariff measures. This makes it a comprehensive knowledge base needed for the import and export of goods.

The system includes, among other things:

• Customs codes and commodity nomenclature – including HS, CN and TARIC codes, which allow for unambiguous identification of goods. The HS (Harmonised System) code is a 6-digit classification used globally, on which the EU CN codes (8 digits) and 10-digit TARIC codes are based. The structure in ISZTAR takes the form of a nomenclature tree with 21 sections and divisions, descending to the lowest level – the TARIC code. The accompanying legal comments and explanatory notes help in the correct classification and coding of goods.
• Customs duties – including rates for third countries (erga omnes), preferential rates resulting from trade agreements and additional charges such as anti-dumping duties.
• Domestic taxes – ISZTAR supplements data from the EU TARIC database with VAT and excise duty rates applicable in Poland.
• Non-tariff measures – e.g. national non-tariff measures such as import licences, certificates, quantitative limits, bans on the import or export of certain goods. The system also indicates the status of quotas (available, exhausted, critical).
• Lists of goods – facilitate quick checking of related products within a given category and their assigned codes.
• Additional tools – including a tariff calculator that allows you to calculate customs duties and taxes for a selected product, currency conversion rates, a Meursing code calculator (for agri-food products with a complex composition), code correlation tables, and a ‘preliminary information’ section that explains the symbols and markings in the tariff.

Thanks to this, ISZTAR provides a complete overview of customs codes, tariff rates, VAT and excise duties, and non-tariff regulations. The system combines data from the European TARIC database with Polish regulations, allowing users to quickly and accurately check the requirements for each product in international trade.

How does the ISZTAR system work?

To check information in the ISZTAR system, simply go to the home page of the Customs Tariff. As already mentioned, access to it is free of charge and does not require registration. The system does not collect users’ personal data, so there are no data protection concerns when using it.

Users have several search methods at their disposal:

• Browsing the nomenclature tree – a hierarchical structure of the customs tariff, from general sections down to the lowest level of detail (TARIC code). At each stage, you can immediately go to the detailed tariff information for a given product. The accompanying legal comments and explanatory notes help to avoid classification errors.
• Text search – allows you to find a product by name or keyword. The system supports operators such as ‘*’ or “AND”/‘OR’, which increases the accuracy of the results.
• Search by geographical area – allows you to check customs rates depending on the country of origin (based on the name, ISO code or selected group of countries).

After selecting the nomenclature code, the user receives a complete set of data: applicable customs duties, VAT and excise duties, as well as information on non-tariff measures and required documents. The system also offers practical tools such as a tariff calculator and a date simulation function that allows you to determine outstanding settlements.

ISZTAR allows you to check commodity codes, customs duties and VAT rates in one place, and its intuitive search methods – from the nomenclature tree to text and geographical search – make the tool useful for both TSL industry professionals and private individuals.

Practical application of the ISZTAR system

The ISZTAR system is used by all entities involved in international trade in goods – from customs and tax authorities to entrepreneurs, freight forwarders and individual importers. This tool enables the efficient preparation of customs formalities and avoids errors in documentation.

The most frequent users of the system are:

• Customs and tax authorities – treat ISZTAR as the main source of data during customs clearance and document verification.
• Customs agencies and freight forwarders – use the system for daily customer service, checking customs rates, nomenclature codes and documentation requirements.
• Entrepreneurs – use the system when importing and exporting goods to assess costs, prepare documents and avoid problems at the border.
• Advisors and analysts – use ISZTAR to analyse customs regulations, prepare reports and monitor changes in regulations.
• Private individuals – check what VAT and customs duties they will pay when importing, for example, a car, electronics or other goods.

ISZTAR in the TSL industry

In the transport, forwarding and logistics industry, ISZTAR plays a key role as a tool supporting everyday customer service. Forwarders and agents use it to quickly verify nomenclature codes, check customs duties and VAT rates, and determine the documentation requirements for a given product.

Particularly valued features include:

• the ability to quickly check customs tariffs and taxes for different countries,
• calculation of possible cost variants,
• simulation of dates for determining outstanding settlements,
• access to Binding Tariff Information (WIT),
• presentation of data in Polish, without the need to register.

ISZTAR is a useful tool not only for professional customs agencies, but also for any TSL company handling the export and import of goods.

Benefits and challenges of the ISZTAR system

The use of ISZTAR brings many practical benefits to businesses, administrations and customs agencies, but it also presents certain challenges. The system has been designed to facilitate the handling of goods traffic as much as possible, although its complexity can be a barrier for novice users.

ISZTAR system – benefits

ISZTAR is a tool that provides access to a complete overview of foreign trade requirements. Its most important advantages include:

• Reduced risk of customs errors – access to current customs rates, nomenclature codes and explanatory notes facilitates the correct classification of goods.
• Time and cost savings – the tariff calculator and exchange rates allow you to quickly estimate duties and plan your import budget.
• Useful additional features – such as date simulation for determining outstanding settlements or the Meursing code calculator.
• Up-to-date data – the system is updated daily with information from the TARIC database and Polish national data.
• Widespread availability – ISZTAR does not require registration and operates online, making it a tool that is also open to private individuals.

ISZTAR system – challenges

Despite its many advantages, using ISZTAR can be challenging, especially when first encountering the system. The most frequently cited challenges are:

• System complexity – operating the nomenclature tree and interpreting classification regulations requires practice.
• Search problems – text searches may require the use of operators (*, AND, OR) and different variants of product names.
• Risk of misclassification – an incorrectly assigned nomenclature code leads to errors in the calculation of customs tariffs.
• Regulatory volatility – frequent updates to customs law necessitate regular data checks.
• Need for integration – many companies lack an automatic link between ISZTAR and ERP (integrated information systems), which means data has to be transferred manually.

ISZTAR gives users extensive access to detailed information on customs tariffs and tools to support customs clearance, but to fully exploit its potential, it is necessary to be familiar with the rules for classifying goods and to constantly monitor changes in regulations. However, this makes it an indispensable aid in the import and export of goods.

Summary

The ISZTAR system is an official customs tariff service that combines EU data from the TARIC system and Polish national regulations. ISZTAR allows you to check the applicable customs tariffs, VAT and excise duties, as well as the application of non-tariff measures for each commodity in international trade.

On the service’s home page, you can quickly find detailed information for a given commodity, taking into account its country of origin and customs union regulations. This database is created in cooperation with the European Commission and the Directorate-General for Taxation and Customs Union (DG TAXUD), which ensures data consistency across the EU. This makes ISZTAR a practical tool supporting entrepreneurs, customs agencies and the administration in their daily work.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

How to check the customs code of goods in ISZTAR?

The customs code can be found using the tariff browser, nomenclature tree or text search. The ISZTAR system also displays the group code and detailed information at each level, and in case of doubt, refers to the EBTI system (also known as the BTI EU system), i.e. the European Binding Tariff Information System.

What does the customs tariff code mean?

The customs tariff code is a unique number assigned to a product, which allows for its unambiguous classification in international trade. This makes it possible to determine customs duties, VAT rates and the application of non-tariff measures.

Can non-tariff restrictions be checked in ISZTAR?

Yes, non-tariff restrictions can be checked in the ISZTAR system. It shows all applications of non-tariff measures, including import licences, certificates and quantitative limits. In addition, it provides information on the status of quotas and quota numbers, which is particularly important in trade in agricultural products and textiles.

Is the data in ISZTAR compliant with EU regulations?

Yes, ISZTAR is based on the TARIC system and is linked to customs union regulations. This means that the data for a given product is consistent with the EU’s integrated tariff of the European Communities and is supplemented with Polish national data.

What should I do if I have doubts about the classification of goods?

In this situation, you can apply for Binding Tariff Information (BTI) – this is an official decision issued by the EU customs authorities, which indicates the correct tariff code for the goods. Such a decision is valid for 3 years from the date of issue, throughout the European Union, and officials must comply with it. ISZTAR also contains links to the EU database (EBTI system), where you can check what decisions have already been issued for similar products.