# HS Explanations Use

*Last updated: 2026-06-18*

> The HS Explanatory Notes are the official interpretive commentary published by the World Customs Organization (WCO) to clarify the scope and content of each heading in the Harmonized System.

The HS Explanatory Notes are the official interpretive commentary published by the World Customs Organization (WCO) to clarify the scope and content of each heading in the Harmonized System. They describe the goods covered by each six-digit position, draw boundaries between similar product types, and resolve ambiguities that cannot be settled from the nomenclature text alone. Customs brokers, freight forwarders, and compliance teams consult the Explanatory Notes as the primary reference when classifying unfamiliar goods, responding to a customs query, or defending a tariff ruling. The WCO revises the HS on a regular cycle; each new edition requires a review of existing classifications to ensure continued accuracy. The Explanatory Notes are distinct from the General Interpretative Rules (GIR): the GIR set out the sequence of classification steps, while the Explanatory Notes define what each heading actually covers.

**Source:** [https://www.wcoomd.org/en/topics/nomenclature/instrument-and-tools/hs-nomenclature-2022-edition.aspx](https://www.wcoomd.org/en/topics/nomenclature/instrument-and-tools/hs-nomenclature-2022-edition.aspx)

## Quick Facts

| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Term | HS Explanations Use |
| Language | EN |
| Word count | 137 |
| Last updated | 2026-06-18 |
| Source | https://www.wcoomd.org/en/topics/nomenclature/instrument-and-tools/hs-nomenclature-2022-edition.aspx |

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