GENERAL INTERPRETATIVE RULES

Imexway
May 18, 2020
7 min read

Updated: May 20, 2020

General Interpretative Rules simply referred to as GIRs are a set of rules that govern classification of goods in the Nomenclature.
There are six rules (GIR 1- 6) applied sequentially or hierarchically to ensure uniformity and consistency in the application of the HS and how the Nomenclature should be interpreted.
An article must first be classified in its appropriate 4-digits heading,
Then to its appropriate one-dash subheading within that heading and
Only thereafter to its appropriate two-dash subheading within the predetermined one-dash subheading.

GIR1: Terms of heading and Notes

GIR2: Expanding the scope of headings

GIR3: Classification under two or more headings

GIR4: Akin

GIR5: Packaging

GIR6: Subheading level

GIR1: Terms of heading and Notes

Titles of Sections, Chapters and sub-chapters are for reference only
For legal purposes, classification on terms of headings, Section or Chapter Notes
Examples:

– Live fish is classified in heading 03.01: According to terms of heading

– Articles of wood are normally classified in Chapter 44, but Wooden

furniture is

– Classified in Chapter 94 according to exclusion Note 1 (o) to chapter 44.

GIR2: Expanding the scope of headings

Applies only when Rule 1 has failed

Rule 2(a)

Any reference in a heading to an article shall be taken to include a reference to

that article incomplete or unfinished, provided that, as presented; the incomplete

or unfinished article has the essential character of the complete or finished

article. It shall also be taken to include a reference to that article complete or

finished (or falling to be classified as complete or finished by virtue of this rule),

presented unassembled or disassembled.

Rule 2(b)

Any reference in a heading to a material or substance shall be taken to include a

reference to mixtures or combinations of that material or substance with other

materials or substances. Any reference to goods of a given material or substance

shall be taken to include a reference to goods consisting wholly or partly of such

materials or substance. The classification of goods consisting of more than one

material or substance shall be according to the principles of Rule 3.

GIR2: Rule 2(a) First Part: Incomplete or Unfinished

Extends the scope of any heading which refers to a particular article to cover not only the complete article but also that article incomplete or unfinished, provided that, as presented, it has the essential character of the complete or finished article.

GIR2: Rule 2(a) First Part: Blanks

Also applies to Blanks, an article, not ready for direct use, having the approximate shape or outline of the finished article or part, and which can only be used, other than in exceptional cases, for completion into the finished article or part
Example,

- bottle preforms of plastics being intermediate products having tubular

shape, with one closed end and one open end threaded to secure a

screw type closure, the portion below the threaded end being intended

to be expanded to a desired size and shape).

- Semi-manufactures not yet having the essential shape of the finished

Articles (such as bars, discs, tubes, etc) are not regarded as ‘‘blanks’’.

GIR2: Rule 2(a) Second Part: Unassembled/ Disassembled

Deals with unassembled or disassembled goods. Articles presented “unassembled or disassembled” means articles the components of which are to be assembled either by means of fixing devices (screws, nuts, bolts etc) or by riveting or welding provided only assembly operations are involved
Example

- A bicycle presented unassembled is classified in heading 87.12 as a

complete bicycle since it has the essential character of the complete

bicycle.

GIR2: Rule 2(b)

Any reference in a heading to a material or substance shall be taken to include a reference to mixtures or combinations of that material or substance with other materials or substances. Any reference to goods of a given material or substance shall be taken to include a reference to goods consisting wholly or partly of such materials or substance. The classification of goods consisting of more than one material or substance shall be according to the principles of Rule 3.

concerns mixtures and combination of materials or substances, and goods consisting of two or more materials or substances.
It refers to headings in which there is a reference to a material or substance (e.g. heading 05.07 (ivory, etc.)),
and headings in which there is a reference to goods of a given material or substance (e.g. heading 45.03 (articles of natural cork)).
applies only if the headings or the Sections or the Chapter Notes do not otherwise require. For example, since the terms of heading 39.20 reads “Other plates, sheets, … not reinforced, … or similarly combined with other material”, the Rule does not apply
The last part of GIR 2(b) states that “the classification of goods consisting of more than one material or substance shall be classified according to the principles of Rule 3.”
if goods are prima facie classifiable under two or more headings, classification shall be according to the principles of Rule 3.
Example:

–The terms of heading 45.03 clearly stipulates that the heading covers

“articles of natural cork” only. A bottle top consisting of two different

materials (natural cork and metals) is treated beyond the scope of

heading 45.03.

GIR3: Classification under two or more headings

When by application of Rule 2(b) or for any other reason, goods are, prima facie, classifiable under two or more headings

Rule 3(a): Classification by Specific Description

The heading which provides the most specific description shall be preferred to headings providing a more general description. However, when two or more headings each refer to part only of the materials or substances contained in mixed or composite goods or to part only of the items in a set put up for retail sale, those headings are to be regarded as equally specific in relation to those goods, even if one of them gives a more complete or precise description of the goods.
A description by name is more specific than a description by class. For example, shavers and hair clippers with self-contained electric motor are classified in heading 85.10 where they are described by name.

Rule 3(b): Classification by Essential Character

Mixtures, composite goods consisting of different materials or made up of different components, and goods put up in sets for retail sale, which cannot be classified by reference to 3(a), shall be classified as if they consisted of the material or component which gives them their essential character, in so far as this criterion is applicable.
This Rule is applied only if Rule 3(a) fails and deals with mixtures, composite goods consisting of different materials and goods put up in sets for retail sales.
The essential character may be determined by nature of the materials or components, bulk, quantity, weight or value of the item, and role of a constituent material or component in relation to use.
For example, hair dressing sets consisting of a pair of electric hair clippers (heading 85.10), a comb (heading 96.15), a pair of scissors (heading 82.13), a brush (heading 96.03) and a towel of textile material (heading 63.02), put up in a leather case (heading 42.02) is classified in heading 85.10 as electric hair clippers which gives the set its essential character.

Rule 3(c): Classification by Heading which occurs Last in Numerical Order

When goods cannot be classified by reference to 3(a) or 3(b), they shall be classified under the heading which occurs last in numerical order among those which equally merit consideration.
For example, a mixture composed of 50% of cassava flour and 50% of millet flour for preparation of a meal. Cassava fall in heading11.06 while millet falls in heading 11.02 and none of these give the article its essential character. Therefore the article is classified in heading 11.06 because the heading occurs last in numerical order.

GIR4: Akin

Goods which cannot be classified in accordance with the above Rules shall be classified under the heading appropriate to the goods to which they are most akin.
The rule relates to goods which cannot be classified in accordance with the Rules 1 to 3. It provides that such goods shall be classified under the heading appropriate to the goods to which they are most akin.
When goods are classified in accordance with this rule, it is necessary to compare the presented goods with similar goods in order to determine the goods to which the presented goods are most akin. The presented goods are classified in the same heading as the similar goods to which they are most akin.
Kinship in the context of this rule depends on many factors such as description, character, and purpose. (This rule is very rarely used and is mainly applicable for new articles in the market.)

GIR5: Packaging

GIR5 (a): Packaging

(a) Camera cases, musical instrument cases, gun cases, drawing instrument cases, necklace cases and similar containers, specially shaped or fitted to contain a specific article or set of articles, suitable for long-term use and presented with the articles for which they are intended, shall be classified with such articles when of a kind normally sold therewith. This Rule does not, however, apply to containers which give the whole its essential character;

Classify with the article if:

Presented together with the article
Specially shaped or fitted to contain
Long term use
Normally sold with

Classify separately if:

Repetitive use

Examples: Containers presented with Articles

Jewellery boxes and cases (heading 71.13)
Electric shaver cases (heading 85.10)
Binocular cases, telescope cases (heading 90.05)
Musical instrument cases, boxes and bags (heading 92.02).

However:

If the cases are presented separately, they are classified in their appropriate headings. (Ch. 42, Ch. 39)
If the cases/containers are not the kind normally used, e.g. Silver caddy containing tea, ornamental ceramic bowl containing tea, they are not covered under this rule

GIR5(b): Packaging of Repetitive use

Subject to the provisions of Rule 5(a) above, packing materials and packing containers presented with the goods therein shall be classified with the goods if they are of a kind normally used for packing such goods. However, this provision is not binding when such packing materials or packing containers are clearly suitable for repetitive use.
Examples

–Steel drums for compressed or liquefied gas

GIR6: Classification of goods in a subheading

–For legal purposes, the classification of goods in the subheadings of a heading shall be determined according to the terms of those subheadings and any related Subheading Notes and, mutatis mutandis, to the above Rules, on the understanding that only subheadings at the same level are comparable. For the purposes of this Rule the relative Section and Chapter Notes also apply, unless the context otherwise requires.

GIR6: Subheading level

Not applicable if there are no subdivisions: e.g. heading 22.03 (Beer made from malt)
For legal purposes:

- Classification according to the terms of subheadings and any related

Subheading Notes.

- Mutatis mutandis, to Rules 1 to 5

- Only subheadings at the same level are comparable

Poults (young turkey):

- 01.05 Live poultry, that is to say, fowls of the species Gallus domesticus,

ducks, geese, turkeys and guinea fowls(+)

- Weighing not more than 185g:

0105.12 -- Turkeys

- Other:

0105.99 -- Other

GIR6: Section and Chapter Notes

Relative Section and Chapter Notes also apply, unless the context otherwise requires
Note 3 to Chapter 29: “Goods which could be included in two or more of the headings of this Chapter are to be classified in that one of those headings which occurs last in numerical order.”
Subheading Note 2 to Chapter 29: “Note 3 to Chapter 29 does not apply to the subheading of this Chapter.”
Therefore, classification on the basis of GIR3