A Guide to SSIC Codes
4 minute read
Choosing to start a business in Singapore is a decision made by an increasing number of entrepreneurs from all across the globe. This is hardly a surprise, since Singapore is a prosperous country that enables both the locals and foreigners to advance in their business endeavors.
However, before you carry on with your company operations, you need to register your company and specify your business activity. In this Singapore Standard Industrial Classification (SSIC) codes guide, we will walk you through essential information such as the definition of SSIC codes, the importance of choosing the correct code, and, finally, the list of the most commonly used codes.
Here is a quick overview:
What are SSIC codes?
An SSIC code, or a Singapore Standard Industrial Classification Code, is a number provided to classify a company’s business activities that are carried out in the country of Singapore.
SSIC codes are used by the government for statistical purposes. However, they also serve the purpose of helping with the regulation and governance of companies.
The codes are reviewed and updated when and if necessary. The goal of this is to ensure that the codes:
- Stay aligned with the changes in international standards
- Reflect significant changes in the economy
- Remain updated in regard to emerging activities
On top of that, the country authorities can use the codes for several other purposes.
- ACRA can use it to determine whether any additional licenses are needed for the business activity carried out by the company.
- IRAS can also use the SSIC code to determine whether specific tax benefits apply to the company.
Things to note when choosing a SSIC code
Naturally, when selecting your SSIC code associated with principal activities of your company, it is best to opt for a code that reflects the activities you seek a license for.
For instance, if your company is a financial holding company, it would make sense to select the SSIC code 64201. This way, you can apply for the necessary license so that you can operate within the Singaporean borders.
However, keep in mind that holding companies tend to get taxed heavily by the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS). Also, they are not eligible for most tax deductions.
Finally, it would be smart to write a custom description of your business activity for your business profile. This description does not have to be longer than one page. It is not required to go by the SSIC standard description, since ACRA allows writing a more accurate business activity description upon registration.
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List of SSIC codes
Here is a list of commonly used SSIC codes across various fields of business. For the complete list, you can either download the entire list of SSIC codes or do a search for SSIC codes (which may not be listed below) on ACRA’s portal.
Take note: Some SSIC codes will require licensing/permits.
Consulting
| 70201 | MANAGEMENT CONSULTANCY SERVICES |
| 70209 | BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT CONSULTANCY SERVICES N.E.C. |
| 62021 | INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY CONSULTANCY (EXCEPT CYBERSECURITY) |
| 62022 | INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY CYBERSECURITY CONSULTANCY |
| 71129 | ENGINEERING DESIGN AND CONSULTANCY ACTIVITIES N.E.C. |
| 71126 | ENGINEERING DESIGN AND CONSULTANCY SERVICES SUPPORTING MINING, OIL AND GAS EXTRACTION AND OFFSHORE EXPLORATION ACTIVITIES |
| 71121 | GENERAL BUILDING ENGINEERING DESIGN AND CONSULTANCY SERVICES |
| 71122 | PROCESS AND INDUSTRIAL PLANT ENGINEERING DESIGN AND CONSULTANCY SERVICES |
Holding companies
| 64201 | BANK/FINANCIAL HOLDING COMPANIES (INCLUDING INSURANCE HOLDING COMPANY) |
| 64202 | OTHER HOLDING COMPANIES |
Technology
| 62011 | DEVELOPMENT OF SOFTWARE AND APPLICATIONS (EXCEPT GAMES AND CYBERSECURITY) |
| 62090 | OTHER INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND COMPUTER SERVICE ACTIVITIES (EG DISASTER RECOVERY SERVICES) |
| 62013 | DEVELOPMENT OF SOFTWARE FOR CYBERSECURITY |
| 63120 | INTERNET SEARCH ENGINES |
| 63119 | DATA ANALYTICS, PROCESSING AND RELATED ACTIVITIES N.E.C. |
B2B and Finance
| 82999 | OTHER BUSINESS SUPPORT SERVICE ACTIVITIES (E.G. ADMINISTRATION OF LOYALTY PROGRAMMES) |
| 73100 | ADVERTISING ACTIVITIES |
| 63209 | ONLINE MARKETPLACES FOR SERVICES N.E.C. |
| 78104 | EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES (EXCLUDING DOMESTIC WORKER EMPLOYMENT PLACEMENT AGENCIES AND ONLINE MARKETPLACES) |
| 69202 | BOOK-KEEPING SERVICES (EXCLUDING ONLINE MARKETPLACES) |
| 66192 | CORPORATE FINANCE ADVISORY SERVICES |
| 66301 | TRADITIONAL/LONG-ONLY ASSET/PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT |
| 66307 | PRIVATE DEBT FUNDS |
| 66309 | FUND MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES N.E.C. |
Retail
| 47721 | RETAIL SALE OF COSMETICS AND TOILETRIES (INCLUDING SKINCARE PRODUCTS) |
| 47311 | RETAIL SALE OF MOTOR VEHICLES EXCEPT MOTORCYCLES AND SCOOTERS |
| 47412 | RETAIL SALE OF COMPUTER HARDWARE (INCLUDING HANDHELD COMPUTERS) AND PERIPHERAL EQUIPMENT, AND COMPUTER SOFTWARE (EXCEPT GAMES AND CYBERSECURITY HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE) |
| 47719 | RETAIL SALE OF CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND LEATHER ARTICLES N.E.C. |
| 47711 | RETAIL SALE OF CLOTHING FOR ADULTS |
Wholesale
| 46900 | WHOLESALE TRADE OF A VARIETY OF GOODS WITHOUT A DOMINANT PRODUCT |
| 46541 | WHOLESALE OF INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT (E.G. INDUSTRIAL CRANE) |
| 46522 | WHOLESALE OF ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS |
| 46592 | WHOLESALE OF MEDICAL, PROFESSIONAL, SCIENTIFIC AND PRECISION EQUIPMENT |
| 46639 | WHOLESALE OF CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS, HARDWARE, PLUMBING, AND HEATING EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES N.E.C. (EG CEMENT, SAND) |
| 46309 | WHOLESALE OF FOOD, BEVERAGES AND TOBACCO N.E.C. (INCLUDING DRIED OR CANNED) |
| 46599 | WHOLESALE OF OTHER MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT N.E.C. |
| 46511 | WHOLESALE OF COMPUTER HARDWARE AND PERIPHERAL EQUIPMENT (EXCEPT CYBERSECURITY RELATED HARDWARE AND PERIPHERAL EQUIPMENT) |
| 46551 | WHOLESALE OF MARINE EQUIPMENT AND ACCESSORIES (INCLUDING MARINE NAVIGATIONAL EQUIPMENT AND RADAR) |
| 46424 | WHOLESALE OF COSMETICS AND TOILETRIES |
General services
| 74191 | INTERIOR DESIGN SERVICES |
| 82303 | EVENT/CONCERT ORGANISERS |
| 43210 | ELECTRICAL WORKS |
| 96099 | OTHER PERSONAL SERVICE ACTIVITIES N.E.C. (EXCLUDING ONLINE MARKETPLACES) |
| 78104 | EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES (EXCLUDING DOMESTIC WORKER EMPLOYMENT PLACEMENT AGENCIES AND ONLINE MARKETPLACES) |
| 46100 | WHOLESALE ON A FEE OR COMMISSION BASIS (EXCLUDING ONLINE MARKETPLACES) |
| 79102 | TRAVEL AGENCIES AND TOUR OPERATORS (MAINLY OUTBOUND) |
| 81211 | GENERAL CLEANING SERVICES (INCLUDING CLEANING OF PUBLIC AREAS, OFFICES AND FACTORIES) EXCEPT HOUSEHOLD CLEANING AND ONLINE MARKETPLACES |
| 49215 | RENTAL AND LEASING OF CARS WITH DRIVER (EXCLUDING STREET-HAIL AND RIDE-HAIL SERVICE PROVIDERS) |
| 95301 | REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE OF MOTOR VEHICLES (INCLUDING INSTALLATION OF PARTS & ACCESSORIES) |
| 88911 | CHILD CARE SERVICES FOR PRE-SCHOOL CHILDREN (INCLUDING INFANT CARE SERVICES) |
| 61099 | OTHER TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACTIVITIES N.E.C. (E.G. PROVISION OF VOIP (VOICE OVER INTERNET PROTOCOL SERVICES)) |
| 93203 | NIGHT CLUBS, DISCOTHEQUES, DANCE CLUBS AND KARAOKE LOUNGES |
| 77101 | RENTING AND LEASING OF PRIVATE CARS WITHOUT DRIVER (EXCLUDING ONLINE MARKETPLACES) |
| 59111 | MOVIE PRODUCTION |
Health and Beauty
| 86201 | CLINICS AND OTHER GENERAL MEDICAL SERVICES (WESTERN) |
| 96022 | BEAUTY SALONS AND SPAS (INCLUDING SLIMMING, SKIN CARE AND HAIR CARE CENTRES) |
| 86203 | SPECIALISED MEDICAL SERVICES (INCLUDING DAY SURGICAL CENTRES) |
| 86204 | DENTAL SERVICES |
| 96021 | HAIRDRESSING SALONS/SHOPS (INCLUDING BARBER SHOPS) |
| 86909 | OTHER HEALTH SERVICES N.E.C. (EXCLUDING ONLINE MARKETPLACES) |
Educational Support Services
| 85509 | EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES N.E.C. (EXCLUDING ONLINE MARKETPLACES) |
| 85408 | TRAINING COURSES FOR MUSIC, DANCING, ART, SPEECH AND DRAMA |
| 85407 | TRAINING COURSES FOR SPORTS AND GAMES |
Food and Beverage
| 56111 | RESTAURANTS |
| 56122 | FOOD COURTS, COFFEE SHOPS, AND CANTEENS (WITH MAINLY FOOD AND BEVERAGE INCOME) |
| 56112 | CAFES |
| 56140 | STALLS SELLING COOKED FOOD AND PREPARED DRINKS (INCLUDING STALLS AT FOOD COURTS AND MOBILE FOOD HAWKERS) |
| 56200 | FOOD CATERERS |
| 47219 | RETAIL SALE OF FOOD N.E.C. |
| 47102 | MINI-MARTS, CONVENIENCE STORES AND PROVISION SHOPS |
| 68104 | LETTING AND OPERATING OF SELF-OWNED OR LEASED FOOD COURTS, COFFEE SHOPS AND CANTEENS (WITH MAINLY RENTAL INCOME) |
Construction/ Real Estate
| 41001 | GENERAL CONTRACTORS (BUILDING CONSTRUCTION INCLUDING MAJOR UPGRADING WORKS) |
| 41009 | BUILDING CONSTRUCTION N.E.C. |
| 68101 | REAL ESTATE DEVELOPERS |
| 43301 | RENOVATION CONTRACTORS |
| 68209 | REAL ESTATE ACTIVITIES ON A FEE OR COMMISSION BASIS N.E.C. (EXCLUDING ONLINE MARKETPLACES) |
| 42101 | GENERAL CONTRACTORS (NON-BUILDING CONSTRUCTION) |
| 43220 | INSTALLATION OF PLUMBING, HEATING (NON-ELECTRIC) AND AIR-CONDITIONING SYSTEMS |
| 68201 | REAL ESTATE AGENCIES AND VALUATION SERVICES |
Shipping and Logistics
| 30110 | BUILDING AND REPAIRING OF SHIPS, TANKERS AND OTHER OCEAN-GOING VESSELS (INCLUDING CONVERSION OF SHIPS INTO OFF-SHORE STRUCTURES) |
| 50021 | SHIPPING COMPANIES, INCLUDING CHARTERING OF SHIPS AND BOATS WITH CREW (FREIGHT) |
| 52292 | FREIGHT TRANSPORT ARRANGEMENTS |
| 50022 | OPERATORS AND CHARTERERS OF BARGES, TUGBOATS AND BUMBOATS (FREIGHT) |
| 52226 | SHIP MANAGEMENT SERVICES |
| 52222 | SHIPPING AGENCIES (FREIGHT) |
| 52227 | SHIP BROKERING SERVICES |
| 52291 | CARGO SURVEYING SERVICES |
Miscellaneous
| 28300 | INSTALLATION OF INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT, MECHANICAL ENGINEERING WORKS |
| 31001 | MANUFACTURE OF FURNITURE AND FIXTURES OF WOOD (INCLUDING UPHOLSTERY) |
| 32909 | OTHER MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES N.E.C. |
| 63909 | OTHER INFORMATION SERVICE ACTIVITIES N.E.C. |
Wrap-up
You can also use ACRA’s keyword search engine to browse the full list of SSIC codes or download the complete list of SSIC codes. Alternatively, you can always reach out to us and our team will be happy to help you.
You might be interested in reading about:
Watch the full video on ‘How to start a company in Singapore
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Download the complete SSIC list for your future reference.
FAQ
An SSIC is a number provided to classify a company’s business activities that are carried out in the country of Singapore. They are used for censuses of population, business surveys and administrative databases.
An SSIC code is important for the Companies to identify their existing customers and potential customers by industry.
While registering a company in Singapore, it’s mandatory to provide an SSIC code that matches your business type.
