GRI 2 — Incomplete Articles and Mixtures
/ˌdʒiː ɑːr ˈaɪ ˈtuː/
GRI 2(a) extends a reference to an article to incomplete or unfinished articles having the essential character of the complete article and to complete or finished articles presented unassembled or disassembled. GRI 2(b) extends references to a material or substance to mixtures or combinations containing it; goods thereby prima facie classifiable under multiple headings are classified under GRI 3.
In Detail
GRI 2(a) addresses goods imported in an unfinished, incomplete, or unassembled state. The test is whether the unfinished article already has the essential character of the finished article — meaning it is clearly recognizable as what it will become and substantially complete in its fundamental form. An automobile body shell without engine or wheels classifies as a motor vehicle rather than a steel structure, because its essential character is already that of a vehicle. An injection-molded plastic housing with attachment points but not yet assembled classifies with the finished product it will become. GRI 2(a) also extends to complete or finished articles presented unassembled or disassembled — for example, flat-pack furniture shipped as ready-to-assemble components classifies as the assembled furniture item, not as separate parts.
GRI 2(b) provides that any heading reference to a material or substance includes mixtures or combinations of that material with other materials or substances. A heading for "articles of plastics" covers articles made of plastic-metal composites, not only pure plastics. A heading for "woven fabrics of cotton" includes fabrics of cotton mixed with other fibers. The practical effect of GRI 2(b) is that a product of mixed materials may simultaneously qualify under two or more headings — each material heading covering its component — requiring GRI 3 to resolve the competition.
GRI 2 is only invoked when GRI 1 fails: when no heading's text, read in light of applicable notes, directly and unambiguously describes the product as presented. For most goods, the heading is specific enough that GRI 1 resolves the classification without GRI 2 analysis.
Classification Significance
GRI 2(a) is particularly significant for goods shipped knocked-down (CKD), partially assembled, or as unfinished articles — common in automotive, electronics, and industrial equipment imports. Misclassifying an unfinished article by ignoring GRI 2(a) can result in heading misassignment with significant duty consequences. GRI 2(b) matters most in chemical, textile, and materials categories where imports commonly involve blends or composites.
How Kanon Handles This
Kanon evaluates GRI 2 when GRI 1 is not determinative for the product's presented form. For GRI 2(a), the product's completion state and essential character are assessed against the target complete article. For GRI 2(b), competing material headings generated by mixture coverage are identified and passed to GRI 3 analysis. Both evaluations are documented in the Classification Support Package.