# Kanon

> Kanon is a deterministic HTSUS classification platform for U.S. importers and customs brokers. It evaluates the complete Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States corpus in the legally mandated sequence and produces an audit-defensible Classification Support Package.

Kanon is not a lookup tool. It is a classification engine that traverses all applicable General Rules of Interpretation (GRI 1 through 6), Additional U.S. Rules of Interpretation, general notes, section notes, chapter notes, subheading notes, Additional U.S. Notes, headings, subheadings, Chapter 98 and 99 overlays, and CBP binding rulings — in the sequence the law requires — and records every decision point. The same product attributes evaluated against the same corpus version always produce the same HTS code.

**Primary users:** U.S. importers, customs brokers, and trade compliance professionals who need defensible, auditable HTS classification.

**Core output:** Classification Support Package — an immutable record of the full GRI traversal, the sections of law applied at each step, the product attributes that drove each decision, and the final HTS code with applicable duty rates.

**What Kanon does not do:** Kanon does not guess. It does not return a confidence score. It does not offer multiple possible codes. It returns one deterministic answer, or it flags that additional information is required.

## Pages

- [Home](https://kanontrade.com/): Product overview, value proposition, sample classification output
- [Classify a Product](https://kanontrade.com/classify.html): Classification intake form — submit a product for HTS classification; requires registration
- [How it works](https://kanontrade.com/how-it-works.html): Step-by-step GRI traversal workflow, Classification Support Package format, CBP audit defense
- [Why Kanon](https://kanontrade.com/why-kanon.html): Corpus completeness explanation — 11 HTSUS layers, 4 CBP regulatory sources, determinism requirement
- [Pricing](https://kanontrade.com/pricing.html): Pricing plans (coming soon)
- [About](https://kanontrade.com/about.html): Company background, brand, and mission
- [Terms of Service](https://kanontrade.com/terms.html): Terms governing use of the Kanon platform
- [Privacy Policy](https://kanontrade.com/privacy.html): Data handling and privacy practices

## Key concepts

**HTSUS:** The Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States — the legal tariff schedule published by the U.S. International Trade Commission that governs the classification of all goods imported into the United States.

**HTS code:** An 8-10 digit code from the HTSUS that identifies a product category and determines applicable duty rates, trade remedies, and regulatory requirements.

**GRI (General Rules of Interpretation):** The six rules, established in the HTSUS, that specify the legally mandated sequence for classifying a product. GRI 1 is evaluated first; subsequent rules are only applied when earlier rules do not yield a single classification.

**Classification Support Package (CSP):** Kanon's primary output — a structured record of the complete classification evaluation including: the product attributes used, each corpus layer evaluated, the GRI rule applied at each decision point, the sections of law cited, and the final HTS code.

**Corpus version:** Each USITC publication of the HTSUS creates a new immutable corpus version. Kanon pins each classification record to the corpus version in effect at the time of classification.

**CBP (U.S. Customs and Border Protection):** The U.S. federal agency responsible for enforcing customs laws. CBP can audit importers' HTS classifications; the Classification Support Package is designed to support CBP audit defense.

**Section 301 / Chapter 99:** Additional duty overlays — including tariffs on goods from China and other trade remedy measures — evaluated in Layer 2 of Kanon's classification process.

## What Kanon is not

- Not a database of pre-classified products
- Not a fuzzy-search or lookup tool
- Not a tool that produces multiple possible codes for the user to choose from
- Not affiliated with CBP, USITC, or any government agency
- Not a substitute for a licensed customs broker for complex or high-stakes determinations

## Glossary

The Kanon HTSUS Classification Glossary defines 50 key terms across 5 categories. Every term page includes a precise definition, an In Detail section, classification significance for CBP compliance, and how Kanon handles the concept programmatically.

- [Glossary Index](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/index.html): All 100 terms organized by category with one-sentence descriptions.
- [Full glossary — plain text](https://kanontrade.com/llms-full.txt): All 89 definitions in a single plain-text file optimized for LLM ingestion.

### HTSUS Structure (17 terms)

- [HTSUS](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/htsus.html): The Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States — the legal document listing every import duty rate and classification code.
- [HTS Code](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/hts-code.html): The 10-digit number used to classify every imported good, determining duty rate and trade remedy exposure.
- [Harmonized System (HS)](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/harmonized-system.html): The WCO international product nomenclature providing the first 6 digits shared across 200+ countries.
- [Schedule B](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/schedule-b.html): The U.S. export classification system maintained by Census — distinct from the HTSUS used for imports.
- [HTSUS vs. Schedule B](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/htsus-vs-schedule-b.html): Comparison of the two U.S. tariff nomenclatures — import vs. export, CBP vs. Census.
- [Section Notes](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/section-notes.html): Legal provisions governing classification across all chapters within a HTSUS section — binding under GRI 1.
- [Chapter Notes](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/chapter-notes.html): Legal provisions within each HTSUS chapter defining scope, exclusions, and classification rules.
- [Subheading Notes](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/subheading-notes.html): Notes applying only when comparing subheadings within the same heading under GRI 6.
- [Additional U.S. Notes](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/additional-us-notes.html): U.S.-specific notes supplementing the international HS chapter notes — definitions, TRQs, U.S.-only rules.
- [Statistical Suffix](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/statistical-suffix.html): The 9th and 10th digits of the 10-digit HTS code, used for Census trade statistics.
- [USITC](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/usitc.html): The U.S. International Trade Commission — publishes the HTSUS and administers trade injury investigations.

- [Heading (HTSUS)](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/heading.html): The 4-digit primary classification unit in the HTSUS — where GRI 1 analysis begins, read with applicable section and chapter notes.
- [Subheading (HTSUS)](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/subheading.html): The 6- or 8-digit provision that subdivides a heading — classified under GRI 6, comparing only same-level provisions.
- [Chapter (HTSUS)](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/chapter.html): A 2-digit grouping of related headings — each chapter begins with legally binding notes required under GRI 1.
- [Section (HTSUS)](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/htsus-section.html): One of 22 major divisions grouping related chapters — section notes apply to every heading in the section and are evaluated first.
- [Tariff Provision](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/tariff-provision.html): Any enumerated entry in the HTSUS — heading, subheading, basket entry, or Chapter 99 overlay — carrying legal significance for classification or duty rates.
- [Ten-Digit HTS Code](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/ten-digit-hts-code.html): The complete classification number — digits 1–4 heading, 5–6 HS subheading, 7–8 U.S. subheading, 9–10 statistical suffix.

### Classification Rules (22 terms)

- [GRI (General Rules of Interpretation)](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/gri.html): The six mandatory rules governing every HTSUS classification — applied in strict sequence.
- [GRI 1](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/gri-1.html): Classification by heading text and section/chapter notes — the primary rule applied before any other.
- [GRI 2](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/gri-2.html): Extends heading scope to incomplete articles (2a) and mixtures/combinations (2b).
- [GRI 3](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/gri-3.html): Resolves conflicts when goods are classifiable under two or more headings — via 3a, 3b, or 3c.
- [GRI 4](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/gri-4.html): Fallback classification under the heading for most similar goods.
- [GRI 5](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/gri-5.html): Classification of containers and packaging — with goods or separately.
- [GRI 6](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/gri-6.html): Applies GRI 1–5 at the subheading level to determine the correct 6-digit subheading.
- [Additional U.S. Rules of Interpretation](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/additional-us-rules-of-interpretation.html): Four U.S.-specific rules supplementing the GRI — principal use, eo nomine, parts, accessories.
- [Essential Character](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/essential-character.html): The GRI 3b concept identifying which component gives a composite good its fundamental nature.
- [Composite Goods](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/composite-goods.html): Goods of different materials classifiable under two or more headings — resolved under GRI 3.
- [Sets (GRI 3b)](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/sets-classification.html): Goods put up in sets for retail sale — classified by the component giving the set essential character.
- [Principal Use](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/principal-use.html): Additional U.S. Rule 1(a) — classification follows the primary use of goods of that class or kind in the U.S.
- [Eo Nomine](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/eo-nomine.html): Classification by specific name — covers all forms and varieties unless the heading limits scope.
- [Ejusdem Generis](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/ejusdem-generis.html): Canon limiting catch-all phrases to goods of the same kind as specifically named items.

- [Order of Inquiry](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/order-of-inquiry.html): The legally mandated GRI 1→6 sequence — later rules can only be invoked after earlier ones have been genuinely applied and failed.
- [Incomplete Goods — GRI 2(a)](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/incomplete-goods.html): Extends heading coverage to unfinished articles with the essential character of the complete article, and to complete articles presented unassembled.
- [Mixtures and Combinations — GRI 2(b)](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/mixtures.html): Extends heading coverage to mixtures of the described material — when multiple headings are extended, GRI 3 resolves which governs.
- [Relative Specificity — GRI 3(a)](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/relative-specificity.html): The first GRI 3 test — the heading most specifically describing the goods prevails over headings giving a more general description.
- [Most Specific Description](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/most-specific-description.html): The operative GRI 3(a) standard — specificity is determined by precision of coverage, not description length or heading scope.
- [Last in Numerical Order — GRI 3(c)](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/last-in-numerical-order.html): The final GRI 3 tiebreaker — invoked only after GRI 3(a) and 3(b) both fail; selects the heading appearing last in the schedule.
- [Retail Set — GRI 3(b)](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/retail-set.html): Two or more different articles put up together for retail sale and adapted for use together — classified by the component giving essential character.
- [Basket Provision](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/basket-provision.html): A catch-all "Other" provision covering goods not specifically described elsewhere — may only be used after all more specific provisions are excluded.


### Legal Note Types (5 terms)
- [Exclusionary Note](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/exclusionary-note.html): A chapter or section note that removes specified goods from the chapter — overriding any heading that might otherwise describe them; evaluated before heading text under GRI 1.
- [Inclusionary Note](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/inclusionary-note.html): A chapter or section note that extends classification coverage to goods that heading text alone might not capture — legally expanding heading scope.
- [Definitional Note](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/definitional-note.html): A chapter or section note that assigns a specific legal meaning to a term used in headings — controlling interpretation over dictionary or commercial meanings within its scope.
- [Cross-Reference Note](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/cross-reference-note.html): A note that simultaneously excludes goods from one chapter and directs their classification to another — combining exclusionary and affirmative classification functions.
- [Tariff-Rate Quota Note](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/trq-note.html): A chapter or Additional U.S. Note establishing two-tier duty treatment — lower in-quota rates and higher over-quota rates — with subheading selection tied to quota status at entry.

### Parts & Accessories (4 terms)
- [Parts Provision](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/parts-provision.html): A 'parts' heading covers components specifically designed for and integral to an identified article — but only when no more specific heading covers the component independently; the parts heading is always residual.
- [Accessories](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/accessories-provision.html): An accessory makes a primary article more useful or versatile without being essential to its basic operation — distinguishing accessories from parts, which are integral to function.
- [Parts of Parts](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/parts-of-parts.html): A component of an identified part may itself be classifiable as a 'part' of the original article, provided the chain of part relationships is traceable and the component has no broader independent use.
- [Parts and Specificity](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/parts-specificity.html): When a specific heading describes a component as an independent article, that heading prevails over a 'parts of' heading under GRI 3(a) relative specificity — the parts heading is always the residual option.

### Use Provisions (3 terms)
- [Use-Based Heading](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/use-based-heading.html): A heading whose classification criterion is the chief use of goods of that class or kind — not physical characteristics — identified by language like 'of a kind used for' or 'chiefly used for.'
- [Class or Kind of Goods](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/class-or-kind.html): The comparison group used to determine chief use under use-based headings — defined by CBP's ten-factor test covering physical characteristics, channels of trade, buyer expectations, and trade recognition.
- [Actual Use](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/actual-use.html): A secondary classification basis where reduced duty treatment attaches only if the importer demonstrates post-importation that the specific goods were used for a qualifying purpose — distinct from chief use, which requires no post-importation tracking.

### Term Interpretation (7 terms)
- [Common and Commercial Meaning](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/common-commercial-meaning.html): The foundational HTSUS interpretation principle — tariff terms take the meaning goods have in commerce, not scientific or technical definitions, unless a definitional note controls.
- [Ordinary Meaning](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/ordinary-meaning.html): The plain, natural reading of tariff terms — the interpretive baseline applied when no controlling note definition or established trade meaning governs.
- [Trade Understanding](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/trade-understanding.html): The meaning a tariff term has within the relevant commercial trade — established through consistent industry usage and controlling when it diverges from ordinary dictionary meaning.
- [Scientific vs. Commercial Meaning](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/scientific-commercial-meaning.html): When scientific and commercial definitions diverge, U.S. tariff law applies the commercial meaning — how goods are known and traded, not how they are defined in technical literature.
- [Commercial Designation](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/commercial-designation.html): A recognized trade name or industry category that has acquired a specific, well-understood commercial meaning — governing classification when the heading term aligns with that designation.
- [Uniformity of Tariff Terms](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/uniformity-of-terms.html): The interpretive principle that identical terms in different HTSUS headings carry the same meaning throughout the schedule — overridden only by a controlling definitional note.
- [Prima Facie Classification](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/prima-facie-classification.html): A preliminary determination that goods appear classifiable under a provision — the threshold that must be satisfied for each candidate heading before GRI 3 analysis can proceed.

### CBP & Regulatory (17 terms)

- [CBP](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/cbp.html): U.S. Customs and Border Protection — enforces import laws, collects duties, issues rulings, conducts audits.
- [CBP Binding Ruling](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/cbp-binding-ruling.html): Formal written determination from CBP on HTS classification, country of origin, or customs value — legally binding.
- [CROSS Database](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/cross-database.html): CBP's public database of all binding rulings — authoritative classification precedent.
- [CBP Audit](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/cbp-audit.html): Systematic review of importer records — most commonly a Focused Assessment on HTS, valuation, and origin.
- [CF-28](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/cf-28.html): CBP's formal request for information to support a classification, valuation, or origin determination.
- [CF-29](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/cf-29.html): CBP's notice that it has reclassified or adjusted an entry — triggers 90-day protest window.
- [CBP Protest](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/cbp-protest.html): Administrative remedy to challenge a CBP classification or liquidation — filed within 180 days on Form 19.
- [Licensed Customs Broker](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/customs-broker.html): CBP-licensed professional authorized to transact customs business — responsible for HTS classification on entries.
- [Importer of Record](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/importer-of-record.html): Party legally responsible for entry accuracy, duty payment, and compliance with U.S. import laws.
- [Prior Disclosure](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/prior-disclosure.html): Voluntary self-disclosure to CBP of a violation before formal investigation — reduces penalties to unpaid duties + interest.
- [Entry Summary (CBP Form 7501)](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/entry-summary.html): Primary document filed with CBP to consummate formal entry — reports HTS code, customs value, duties, Chapter 99 overlays.
- [Reasonable Care](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/reasonable-care.html): The legal standard every importer must meet under 19 USC 1484 when making classification decisions — the threshold between good-faith compliance and CBP penalty liability under 19 USC 1592.
- [Informed Compliance](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/informed-compliance.html): CBP's enforcement philosophy that voluntary compliance is best achieved through education — operationalized through Informed Compliance Publications covering specific commodities and classification topics.
- [Ruling Request Process](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/ruling-request.html): The formal submission to CBP's National Commodity Specialist Division asking for a binding classification determination before importation — providing advance certainty and a strong reasonable care defense.
- [Ruling Revocation](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/ruling-revocation.html): CBP's process for revoking or modifying binding rulings under 19 USC 1625(c) — requiring publication in the Customs Bulletin, a 30-day comment period, and prospective-only application.
- [Prospective Effect of Rulings](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/prospective-effect.html): A binding ruling applies prospectively — CBP must apply it at all ports for the requesting party's future imports. Courts review classification de novo and are not bound by the ruling.
- [Ruling Reliance](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/ruling-reliance.html): An importer may cite a CBP ruling issued to another party as persuasive authority and reasonable care evidence — but cannot claim its binding prospective effect without obtaining their own ruling.

### Trade Remedies (9 terms)

- [Trade Remedy](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/trade-remedy.html): Government measure protecting domestic industries from unfair or injurious imports — ADD, CVD, Section 301, 232, IEEPA.
- [Chapter 99 Overlays](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/chapter-99-overlays.html): HTSUS chapter containing temporary duty provisions — mechanism for all trade remedy tariffs stacked on base HTS codes.
- [Section 301 Tariffs](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/section-301-tariffs.html): Additional duties on Chinese-origin goods under the Trade Act of 1974 — 7.5% to 100%+ by product category.
- [Section 232 Tariffs](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/section-232-tariffs.html): National-security duties on steel (25%) and aluminum (10%) under the Trade Expansion Act of 1962.
- [IEEPA Tariffs](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/ieepa-tariffs.html): Duties imposed by presidential authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
- [Antidumping Duty (ADD)](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/antidumping-duty.html): Duty on goods sold below fair market value in the U.S. — administered by Commerce, collected by CBP.
- [Countervailing Duty (CVD)](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/countervailing-duty.html): Duty offsetting foreign government subsidies — administered by Commerce, collected by CBP.
- [USTR Exclusion](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/ustr-exclusion.html): Time-limited, product-specific exemption from Section 301 tariffs — requires its own Chapter 99 code on entry.
- [Country of Origin](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/country-of-origin.html): Country where a good was produced or last substantially transformed — determines duty column, Section 301, ADD/CVD scope.

### Duty & Tariff (5 terms)

- [MFN Duty Rate](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/mfn-duty-rate.html): Column 1, General duty rate — standard rate for WTO members with Normal Trade Relations status.
- [Ad Valorem Duty](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/ad-valorem-duty.html): Tariff as a percentage of customs value — most common duty structure in the HTSUS.
- [Column 2 Duty Rate](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/column-2-duty-rate.html): Rate for non-NTR countries (Cuba, North Korea, Russia for many products) — Smoot-Hawley era rates.
- [Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF)](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/merchandise-processing-fee.html): CBP user fee of 0.3464% of customs value per formal entry, with per-entry min/max caps.
- [Classification Support Package](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/classification-support-package.html): Kanon's primary output — immutable, auditable record of a complete HTS classification with full legal reasoning chain.

### Interpretation Canons (4 terms)

- [Mutatis Mutandis](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/mutatis-mutandis.html): Latin phrase in GRI 6 — applies GRIs 1–5 to subheading classification "with the necessary changes."
- [Lex Specialis](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/lex-specialis.html): Specific law controls over general law — the framework behind note hierarchies and GRI 3(a) specificity.
- [Noscitur a Sociis](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/noscitur-a-sociis.html): "A word is known by the company it keeps" — canon used by CBP and CIT to resolve ambiguous heading terms.
- [Expressio Unius](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/expressio-unius.html): Expression of one thing excludes others — makes chapter note enumerated lists exhaustive, not illustrative.

### International HS (4 terms)
- [WCO Explanatory Notes](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/wco-explanatory-notes.html): The WCO's official commentary on each HS heading and subheading — persuasive but not legally binding in U.S. classification, cited regularly by courts and CBP as the most authoritative external guide to heading scope.
- [HS Revision Cycle](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/hs-revision-cycle.html): The WCO's ~5-year cycle of Harmonized System revisions producing new HS editions — requiring importers to review existing classifications for goods in restructured or renumbered heading categories.
- [HS vs. HTSUS Divergence](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/hs-divergence.html): The HTSUS conforms to the international HS through 6 digits but diverges through U.S.-specific 8-digit subheadings and independent CBP classification decisions — a foreign country's classification of identical goods is not controlling for U.S. purposes.
- [WCO Classification Opinions](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/wco-classification-opinions.html): Formal decisions of the WCO Harmonized System Committee on the correct HS classification of specific goods — persuasive authority in U.S. practice, with weight depending on U.S. voting position and direct applicability to the goods at issue.

### Specific Scenarios (6 terms)
- [New and Novel Goods](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/new-and-novel-goods.html): Products without a specific HTSUS heading — classified through GRI 1 ordinary meaning at the time of importation, allowing existing headings to extend to new technologies, with GRI 4 (most similar goods) as a backstop when no heading plausibly applies.
- [Multifunctional Goods](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/multifunctional-goods.html): Products that perform two or more distinct functions classifiable in different headings — resolved through GRI 1 (single covering heading), then GRI 3(a) (relative specificity), GRI 3(b) (essential character), or GRI 3(c) (last in numerical order).
- [Returned U.S. Goods](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/returned-goods.html): Previously exported U.S. goods returned under Chapter 98 — duty-free under heading 9801 if returned unaltered; duty on foreign value-added only under heading 9802 if returned after repair or processing abroad.
- [Commercial Samples](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/commercial-samples.html): Goods imported to solicit orders for similar merchandise — classified by physical characteristics under GRI 1–6 (not by sample purpose); duty treatment options include TIB entry and negligible-value provisions under trade agreements.
- [Used and Secondhand Goods](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/used-goods.html): Goods classified by their type and nature regardless of condition — used goods generally fall in the same heading as new goods of the same type, unless the heading or subheading explicitly differentiates by condition.
- [Intermediate Goods](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/intermediate-goods.html): Partially processed goods classified as imported — in their actual border condition, not as the finished articles they will become; classification under the finished article heading requires satisfying the GRI 2(a) essential character test.

### Classification Consistency (1 term)
- [Classification Uniformity](https://kanontrade.com/glossary/classification-uniformity.html): The principle that CBP must classify identical goods consistently across ports, time periods, and importers — with established classification treatments protected from unilateral change under 19 USC 1625(c), requiring notice-and-comment before CBP can depart from them.