## Common ground
All options refer to compartment or drawer cupboards classified under HS Code 9403, grouped by material.
## Options at a glance
**9403.10 – Base metal**
- **Defining trait:** Made primarily from non-ferrous base metals (e.g., aluminum, copper).
- **Typical examples:** Metal filing cabinets, industrial storage units.
- **Best fit when:** The cupboard is constructed mainly from metal, especially non-ferrous types.
**9403.20 – Base metal**
- **Defining trait:** Made from ferrous base metals (e.g., steel, iron).
- **Typical examples:** Steel lockers, heavy-duty office cabinets.
- **Best fit when:** The cupboard is made of steel or iron, commonly used in industrial or commercial settings.
**9403.30 – Wood**
- **Defining trait:** Constructed entirely or primarily from solid wood or wood-based panels.
- **Typical examples:** Wooden desks with drawers, traditional wardrobes.
- **Best fit when:** The material is visibly wood (e.g., oak, pine) and not composite.
**9403.40–60 – Wood**
- **Defining trait:** Made from wood but includes specific subtypes like veneered or laminated wood.
- **Typical examples:** Particleboard cabinets with wood veneer, laminate desks.
- **Best fit when:** The surface is wood-like but the core is engineered wood (e.g., MDF, plywood).
**9403.70 – Plastic material**
- **Defining trait:** Made primarily from synthetic plastic (e.g., polypropylene, ABS).
- **Typical examples:** Lightweight storage boxes, modular plastic cabinets.
- **Best fit when:** The structure is molded or assembled from plastic.
**9403.82 – Bamboo**
- **Defining trait:** Constructed from bamboo, a natural fiber known for strength and sustainability.
- **Typical examples:** Bamboo filing cabinets, eco-friendly storage units.
- **Best fit when:** The material is clearly bamboo (e.g., woven or solid bamboo slats).
**9403.83 – Rattan**
- **Defining trait:** Made from rattan, a tropical vine used in wicker-style furniture.
- **Typical examples:** Woven rattan cabinets, decorative storage units.
- **Best fit when:** The cupboard has a woven or flexible rattan structure.
**9403.89 – Other materials**
- **Defining trait:** Made from non-wood, non-metal, non-plastic natural fibers (e.g., cane, osier, seagrass).
- **Typical examples:** Cane-bottom drawers, wicker cabinets.
- **Best fit when:** The material is a natural fiber not covered by bamboo or rattan.
## Key differences
| HS Code | Material Type | Construction Style | Common Use Case |
|--------|---------------------|------------------------|--------------------------|
| 9403.10 | Non-ferrous metal | Rigid, industrial | Office/industrial |
| 9403.20 | Ferrous metal | Heavy-duty | Warehouses, factories |
| 9403.30 | Solid wood | Traditional, durable | Homes, classic furniture |
| 9403.40–60 | Engineered wood | Veneered or laminated | Modern interiors |
| 9403.70 | Plastic | Lightweight, modular | Schools, temporary use |
| 9403.82 | Bamboo | Sustainable, natural | Eco-friendly designs |
| 9403.83 | Rattan | Woven, flexible | Decorative, tropical |
| 9403.89 | Other fibers | Woven, natural | Specialty or artisanal |
## How to choose
- Is the cupboard made of steel or iron? → 9403.20
- Is it made of non-ferrous metal (e.g., aluminum)? → 9403.10
- Is it solid wood or traditional wood? → 9403.30
- Is the surface wood veneer or laminate over engineered wood? → 9403.40–60
- Is it made of plastic (e.g., molded)? → 9403.70
- Is it made from bamboo? → 9403.82
- Is it woven from rattan? → 9403.83
- Is it made from cane, osier, or similar natural fiber? → 9403.89
## Overlaps & pitfalls
- **Overlaps:** A cupboard with a wooden frame and plastic drawers could fit both 9403.30 and 9403.70.
- **Pitfall:** "Wood" in 9403.30 vs. 9403.40–60 can be ambiguous—solid wood vs. engineered. Use the dominant material.
- **Priority rule:** Choose based on the **primary structural material**. If unsure, prioritize natural over composite materials