## Common ground
All options refer to handles of tools, brooms, brushes, and similar items, categorized by material.
## Options at a glance
**3926.90 – Plastic**
- **Defining trait:** Made primarily from synthetic polymer materials like polyethylene or PVC.
- **Typical examples:** Plastic broom handle, garden tool grip, disposable brush handle.
- **Best fit when:** The handle is lightweight, molded, and non-biodegradable.
**4016.99 – Rubber**
- **Defining trait:** Made from natural or synthetic rubber, often flexible and shock-absorbing.
- **Typical examples:** Rubber-coated tool handle, anti-vibration brush grip, rubberized broom handle.
- **Best fit when:** The handle requires cushioning, grip, or resistance to vibration.
**4417.00 – Wood**
- **Defining trait:** Made from natural wood, typically solid and traditional in design.
- **Typical examples:** Wooden broom handle, wooden brush shaft, carpenter’s tool handle.
- **Best fit when:** The product is made of solid, untreated or finished wood.
**4503.90 – Cork**
- **Defining trait:** Made from the bark of cork oak trees; lightweight and naturally insulating.
- **Typical examples:** Cork-handled brush, eco-friendly broom handle, non-slip tool grip.
- **Best fit when:** The handle is natural, sustainable, and provides good grip with minimal weight.
**7326.90 – Iron or Steel**
- **Defining trait:** Made from ferrous metal; strong, durable, and often used in heavy-duty tools.
- **Typical examples:** Metal broom handle (e.g., for industrial use), steel brush shaft, reinforced tool grip.
- **Best fit when:** The handle is metallic, rigid, and designed for high strength or durability.
**7616.99 – Aluminium**
- **Defining trait:** Made from lightweight, corrosion-resistant aluminum alloy.
- **Typical examples:** Lightweight garden tool handle, folding broom shaft, aluminum brush grip.
- **Best fit when:** The handle is light, durable, and resistant to rust or weathering.
## Key differences
| Material | Weight | Durability | Grip Quality | Common Use Case |
|--------------|----------|------------|----------------|----------------------------|
| Plastic | Low | Medium | Moderate | Disposable, low-cost tools |
| Rubber | Medium | High | Excellent | Vibration-dampening tools |
| Wood | Medium | Medium | Good | Traditional, handcrafted |
| Cork | Very Low | Low-Medium | Excellent | Eco-friendly, lightweight |
| Iron/Steel | High | Very High | Moderate | Heavy-duty, industrial |
| Aluminium | Low | High | Good | Outdoor, portable tools |
## How to choose
- Is the handle made of a synthetic polymer? → 3926.90
- Does it have rubber coating or feel flexible and cushioned? → 4016.99
- Is it solid wood, untreated or finished? → 4417.00
- Is it made from cork bark, lightweight and natural? → 4503.90
- Is it metallic, heavy, and rigid (e.g., iron or steel)? → 7326.90
- Is it aluminum alloy—lightweight and corrosion-resistant? → 7616.99
## Overlaps & pitfalls
A handle may combine materials (e.g., rubber grip on a metal shaft), which could fit multiple codes. In such cases, the **primary material** of the handle body determines classification. If unclear, prioritize based on the **main structural material**. No option is inherently more accurate—context matters