An electronic document classification system for classifying electronic documents received through a network is provided. The classification system comprises a criteria table for storing predetermined criteria for items included in the electronic documents and a score counter provided corresponding to each of the electronic documents. For each of the items included in the electronic documents, the classification system compares the item with a corresponding criterion stored in the criteria table, obtains a score based on the comparison result, and adds the obtained score to the score counter. Therefore, the resultant value of the score counter indicates a sum of the scores obtained for the items included in the electronic document corresponding to the score counter. The classification system assigns a priority to each of the electronic documents in accordance with the value of the score counter corresponding to the electronic document. Thus, the electronic document received through a network are prioritized.