## Common ground
All options refer to replacement brushes or brush heads used with tools or devices.
## Options at a glance
**9603.21 – Toothbrush-specific**
- **Defining trait:** Designed specifically for manual toothbrushes, including dental plaque cleaners.
- **Typical examples:** Soft bristle heads for electric toothbrushes, interdental brushes.
- **Best fit when:** Used in oral hygiene devices, especially those for teeth or dental care.
**9603.50 – Industrial/machinery parts**
- **Defining trait:** Built for use in industrial machines (e.g., grinding, weaving, cleaning).
- **Typical examples:** Brushes for road-sweepers, polishing tools on lathes, textile machinery.
- **Best fit when:** Part of a larger machine used in manufacturing, maintenance, or heavy-duty cleaning.
**9603.90 – Household cleaning**
- **Defining trait:** Intended for general home cleaning tasks like floors, toilets, or surfaces.
- **Typical examples:** Toilet brush heads, floor scrubbing brushes, kitchen cleaning brushes.
- **Best fit when:** Used in everyday household cleaning tools, not personal care or industrial machines.
## Key differences
| Feature | 9603.21 (Toothbrush) | 9603.50 (Industrial) | 9603.90 (Household) |
|-----------------------|------------------------|------------------------|------------------------|
| Primary use | Oral hygiene | Machine maintenance | Home cleaning |
| Environment | Personal care | Industrial | Domestic |
| Typical device | Toothbrush | Machinery | Cleaning tool |
## How to choose
- Is it for cleaning teeth or dental care? → 9603.21
- Is it used in a factory, workshop, or machine? → 9603.50
- Is it for household cleaning (toilet, floor, kitchen)? → 9603.90
## Overlaps & pitfalls
- A brush head for an electric toothbrush might seem like a household item, but its use is specifically dental—so 9603.21 takes priority.
- Some brushes may serve both cleaning and industrial purposes (e.g., a floor brush used in a factory), but the **main function** determines the code. If unclear, prioritize the primary use: personal care > household > industrial.
- Avoid confusion: “toilet brushes” are for hygiene, not industrial cleaning—so 9603.90 applies, not 9603.50