GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 18, 2026

HS Compendium

The HS Compendium is a reference publication issued by the World Customs Organization (WCO) to support accurate and consistent application of the Harmonized System (HS).

Quick Answer

Last updated: 18 June 2026Published: 27 January 2026

Source: https://www.wcoomd.org/en/topics/nomenclature/instrument-and-tools/hs-nomenclature-2022-edition.aspx

Category

Find a matching partner on this lane

Reading time

1 min

Words

104

Mentioned in

–

Definition & Explanation

The HS Compendium is a reference publication issued by the World Customs Organization (WCO) to support accurate and consistent application of the Harmonized System (HS). It brings together explanatory notes for HS chapters, headings, and subheadings, along with the General Rules of Interpretation that govern how goods must be classified when more than one heading could apply. Customs authorities, freight forwarders, and trade compliance teams rely on it to resolve borderline classification cases and align practices across jurisdictions. It should be distinguished from the separate WCO Explanatory Notes, which form a complementary but distinct commentary volume. Both are revised with each new HS edition.