GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 26, 2026
General provisions of the HS
The General Rules for the Interpretation of the Harmonized System (GRI) are six binding rules that govern how goods are uniformly classified under HS codes worldwide.
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Source: https://www.wcoomd.org/en/topics/nomenclature/instrument-and-tools/hs-nomenclature-2022-edition.aspx
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Definition & Explanation
The General Rules for the Interpretation of the Harmonized System (GRI) are six binding rules that govern how goods are uniformly classified under HS codes worldwide. They form the legal backbone of the international tariff nomenclature, setting out the logic by which a six-digit heading is assigned – from complete goods and incomplete articles to mixtures and composite products. Customs authorities, freight forwarders, and importers apply them daily to arrive at the correct tariff number, which in turn determines duty rates, import restrictions, trade statistics, and eligibility for preferential treatment. The GRI are distinct from the WCO's HS Explanatory Notes, which offer interpretive guidance but carry less formal legal authority.
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