## Common ground
All options refer to shelved furniture (e.g., bookshelves, storage units) classified by material.
## Options at a glance
**9403.10,9403.20 – Made of base metal**
- **Defining trait:** Constructed primarily from iron, steel, or other non-precious metals.
- **Typical examples:** Metal bookshelves with welded frames, industrial-style storage racks.
- **Best fit when:** The frame or main structure is metal, even if other parts are not.
**9403.30,9403.60 – Made of wood**
- **Defining trait:** Primarily constructed from solid wood or wood-based panels (e.g., MDF, plywood).
- **Typical examples:** Wooden bookshelves, pine storage units, particleboard cabinets.
- **Best fit when:** The main material is natural or processed wood.
**9403.70 – Made of plastic material**
- **Defining trait:** Main structural components are synthetic plastic (e.g., polypropylene, ABS).
- **Typical examples:** Stackable plastic shelves, lightweight modular units.
- **Best fit when:** The furniture is molded or formed from plastic, not just coated.
**9403.82 – Made of bamboo**
- **Defining trait:** Constructed mainly from bamboo, a fast-growing grass used as a wood substitute.
- **Typical examples:** Bamboo bookshelves, eco-friendly storage units.
- **Best fit when:** The material is visibly bamboo (e.g., woven or solid strips).
**9403.83 – Made of rattan**
- **Defining trait:** Crafted from rattan, a tropical vine used in wicker-style furniture.
- **Typical examples:** Rattan shelves with woven frames, outdoor storage units.
- **Best fit when:** The structure uses pliable, twisted rattan strands.
**9403.89 – Furniture of other materials (cane, osier, etc.)**
- **Defining trait:** Made from natural fibers like cane, willow (osier), or similar flexible plant materials.
- **Typical examples:** Woven cane shelves, willow basket-style units.
- **Best fit when:** Material is not wood, metal, plastic, bamboo, or rattan, but a pliable natural fiber.
## Key differences
| Option | Primary Material | Structural Form | Common Use Case |
|-------|------------------|------------------|------------------|
| 9403.10/20 | Base metal | Rigid, welded | Industrial, heavy-duty |
| 9403.30/60 | Wood | Solid or panel-based | Home, office |
| 9403.70 | Plastic | Molded or modular | Lightweight, indoor |
| 9403.82 | Bamboo | Rigid strips or woven | Eco-friendly, modern |
| 9403.83 | Rattan | Woven, flexible | Decorative, outdoor |
| 9403.89 | Cane/osier | Woven, pliable | Traditional, artisanal |
## How to choose
- Is the main structure made of metal? → 9403.10/20
- Is it primarily wood (solid or panel)? → 9403.30/60
- Is it molded from plastic? → 9403.70
- Is it made from bamboo? → 9403.82
- Is it woven from rattan? → 9403.83
- Is it made from cane, osier, or similar flexible natural fiber? → 9403.89
## Overlaps & pitfalls
- A shelf with a wooden frame and plastic shelves may be classified under wood (9403.30/60) if wood is dominant.
- Bamboo and rattan are sometimes confused; bamboo is rigid, rattan is flexible and often woven.
- If multiple materials are used, the **main structural material** determines classification.
- No priority rule is implied—choose based on the **primary material**