## Common ground
All options refer to kitchen dishes classified by their primary material.
## Options at a glance
**3924.10 – Plastic**
- **Defining trait:** Made from synthetic polymer resin, typically lightweight and non-breakable.
- **Typical examples:** Disposable plates, plastic bowls, food storage containers.
- **Best fit when:** The dish is flexible, lightweight, or intended for single use.
**6802.2X/6802.9X – Stone**
- **Defining trait:** Crafted from natural stone (e.g., slate, marble), often heat-resistant and durable.
- **Typical examples:** Stone cutting boards, slate serving trays, stone pizza stones.
- **Best fit when:** The dish is heavy, naturally occurring, and used for cooking or serving at high temperatures.
**6911.10 – Porcelain/China**
- **Defining trait:** Fine, vitrified ceramic with a smooth, white finish; often decorative and delicate.
- **Typical examples:** Dinner plates, teacups, fine china sets.
- **Best fit when:** The dish is glazed, translucent, and used for formal or everyday dining.
**6912.00 – Ceramic**
- **Defining trait:** Unglazed or partially glazed earthenware; more porous and less refined than porcelain.
- **Typical examples:** Terracotta pots, rustic mugs, oven-safe baking dishes.
- **Best fit when:** The dish is coarse-textured, unglazed, or used for cooking/heat retention.
**7013.10/7013.4X – Glass**
- **Defining trait:** Transparent, non-porous, and heat-resistant; often used for serving or storage.
- **Typical examples:** Drinking glasses, glass bowls, storage jars.
- **Best fit when:** The dish is see-through, non-reactive, and used for liquids or visible food.
**7323.9X – Iron/Steel**
- **Defining trait:** Made from ferrous metal; often heavy-duty and heat-conductive.
- **Typical examples:** Cast iron skillets, steel mixing bowls, saucepans.
- **Best fit when:** The dish is used for cooking over fire or high heat and is metallic.
**7418.10 – Copper**
- **Defining trait:** Made from pure or alloyed copper; excellent heat conduction and often decorative.
- **Typical examples:** Copper saucepans, serving platters, cookware inserts.
- **Best fit when:** The dish is shiny, highly conductive, and used for cooking or display.
**7615.10 – Aluminium**
- **Defining trait:** Lightweight, corrosion-resistant metal; commonly anodized.
- **Typical examples:** Aluminum baking sheets, foil containers, lightweight pots.
- **Best fit when:** The dish is light, shiny, and used for quick heating or storage.
**8104.90 – Magnesium**
- **Defining trait:** Extremely lightweight metal; rare in kitchenware due to reactivity.
- **Typical examples:** Experimental cookware, ultra-lightweight camping dishes.
- **Best fit when:** The dish is exceptionally light and used in specialized settings (e.g., backpacking).
**8108.90 – Titanium**
- **Defining trait:** Strong, corrosion-resistant, lightweight metal; used in high-end cookware.
- **Typical examples:** Titanium pots, camping cookware, premium kitchen tools.
- **Best fit when:** The dish is durable, lightweight, and designed for extreme conditions.
## Key differences
| Material | Density | Heat Conductivity | Durability | Common Use Case |
|----------------|---------|-------------------|------------|--------------------------|
| Plastic | Low | Low | Low | Disposable/Storage |
| Stone | High | Medium | High | Serving/Cooking (high heat)|
| Porcelain | Medium | Low | Medium | Formal Dining |
| Ceramic | Medium | Medium | Medium | Cooking/Serving |
| Glass | Medium | Medium | Low | Storage/Serving (visible) |
| Iron/Steel | High | High | High | Cooking (stovetop) |
| Copper | High | Very High | Medium | Cooking/Decorative |
| Aluminium | Low | High | Medium | Quick cooking/Storage |
| Magnesium | Very Low| Medium | Low | Specialized/lightweight |
| Titanium | Medium | Medium | Very High | Premium/Outdoor Use |
## How to choose
1. Is the dish transparent? → 7013.10/7013.4X (Glass)
2. Is it made of metal and used for cooking over heat? → 7323.9X, 7418.10, 7615.10, 8104.90, 8108.90
3. Is it fine, white, and glazed? → 6911.10 (Porcelain)
4. Is it coarse, unglazed, or earthenware-like? → 6912.00 (Ceramic)
5. Is it made of natural stone? → 6802.2X/6802.9X (Stone)
6. Is it lightweight and disposable? → 3924.10 (Plastic)
## Overlaps & pitfalls
- Porcelain vs. ceramic: Porcelain is a type of ceramic; if glazed and fine, use 6911.10.
- Glass vs. plastic: Both can be transparent; use glass for heat resistance, plastic for disposability.
- Metals: Copper, aluminum, titanium, magnesium all conduct heat well—priority by material type and common use.
- No context given → no recommendation. Choose based on the **main material** and **primary function**