- SSIC code is your company’s 5-digit business activity label used when registering with ACRA
- It affects approvals, licences, taxes, and grant eligibility because ACRA and IRAS rely on it
- Choose the code that reflects your main value-generating activity and add a secondary code if needed
- Choosing the wrong code can cause delays or extra compliance so match it carefully to the official SSIC Singapore categories
Singapore’s business classification system just got its biggest update since 2020. SSIC 2025 took effect on 9 May 2026, bringing over 1,500 revised codes, and if you’re incorporating now, or your company’s code was auto-updated by ACRA, you need to know whether yours is still right.
Because this one five-digit number affects everything from regulatory approvals and grant eligibility to whether your corporate bank account gets approved. Most founders pick it in a rush. This guide helps you get it right.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through:
- What is an SSIC code in Singapore
- What changed with SSIC 2025 and what it means for your business
- How to check the SSIC code of your company
- Why your SSIC code matters more than most founders realise
- How to select the right code
- The complete list of SSIC Singapore codes for 2026
What is an SSIC code?
An SSIC code is a five-digit classification number used in Singapore to describe your business activity when registering with ACRA.
It stands for Singapore Standard Industrial Classification and helps government agencies understand what your company does. SSIC codes are required during incorporation and are used for:
- Company registration and approval
- Determining if your business needs extra licences
- Tax profiling and incentive eligibility with IRAS
- Statistical reporting and regulatory oversight
Each business in Singapore must choose an SSIC code that reflects its principal activity, which is the activity that contributes the most value to the business.
The list of codes is regularly updated by the Department of Statistics to reflect:
- Global classification standards
- Emerging industries like fintech, sustainability, AI, and digital services
- Changes in Singapore’s economic landscape
Looking for the full SSIC Singapore code list?
Jump to the table of common SSIC codes aligned with the official SSIC.
Singapore transitions to SSIC 2025 on 9 May 2026
Singapore’s official classification system has been upgraded from SSIC 2020 to SSIC 2025 (version 2.25), effective 9 May 2026. This is the most significant update since 2020, with over 1,500 revised business activity codes now better aligned with international standards and updated to reflect emerging industries, including AI, renewable energy, digital services, and climate technology.
What this means for your business:
If you are incorporating after 9 May 2026, you must use SSIC 2025 codes for all new registrations via ACRA’s Bizfile portal.
If your company was already incorporated before 9 May 2026, you generally do not need to do anything immediately. ACRA will automatically map your existing SSIC 2020 code to the nearest SSIC 2025 equivalent using official correspondence tables. However, you should review your auto-assigned code after the transition and file an update within 14 days if it no longer accurately reflects your business activities.
All filings, annual returns, and updates submitted after 9 May 2026 must reference SSIC 2025 codes.
How to check the SSIC code of my company?
Need to find your company’s SSIC code Singapore? Just follow these quick steps on the Sleek platform:
- Log in to your Sleek account.
- On the left-hand menu, go to ‘Company Info’, then click ‘Company ID’.
- Your SSIC code will be listed under the ‘Principal Activities’ section, typically at the bottom right of the page.
Want to see it in action? Watch this quick video walkthrough:
Looking for the full SSIC code Singapore list?
Jump to the table of common SSIC codes aligned with the official SSIC list.
Why is your SSIC code important?
Your SSIC code tells the Singapore government what your business does, and that one choice can impact everything from how fast you get approved to what licences you need and what tax benefits you qualify for.
Why it matters:
- ACRA uses it to check if your business needs regulatory approval or licences
- IRAS uses it to determine tax treatments, exemptions, and GST requirements
- It becomes part of your official business profile, used by multiple agencies
You’ll need to declare your principal activity. If you offer other services, you can include a secondary activity too.
Some SSIC codes (such as those related to finance, education, or real estate) may trigger additional referral checks by authorities such as MAS or Enterprise Singapore, resulting in longer processing times. While timelines vary, approvals in regulated sectors typically take 14 to 60 days, depending on the referral authority.
In short: Get your SSIC code wrong, and you risk delays, compliance issues, or missing out on tax perks. Get it right, and you move forward faster, with fewer surprises.
Skip ahead to the List of SSIC Codesif you already know what you’re looking for.
Penalties for wrong or outdated SSIC codes
Under the Companies Act, all registered entities must notify ACRA of any change in business activities within 14 days, via Bizfile. Getting this wrong carries real consequences:
Directors can face fines of S$500 to S$2,000 for late updates, and up to S$5,000 in some circumstances. Beyond fines, an incorrect or outdated SSIC code can cause your corporate bank account application to be rejected. Singapore banks use your SSIC code as part of their KYC review, and a mismatch between your declared code, your website, and your actual business is one of the most common reasons for account rejection or delay. It can also mean automatic disqualification from sector-specific government grants, which are often credited directly to companies carrying the right SSIC code.
How do authorities decide your main activity?
They use a top-down method, starting from your overall business operations. The focus is on the activity that adds the most value. That means the one that contributes most to your business's operations, output, and long-term growth. It is not always the activity you spend the most time on, but the one that makes the biggest impact.
How to find the right SSIC code for your business
Once you’ve identified your business’s principal activity, the next step is matching it to the right SSIC code. This part can feel frustrating because the list is long, the categories are vague, and some codes seem almost interchangeable. Here’s how to navigate it with clarity.
1. Start with relevant keywords
Use clear, commonly understood terms that describe what your business actually does. Think about how someone outside your industry might describe your work. For example:
- Instead of UX design, try web design or creative services
- Instead of fintech SaaS, try financial software or IT services
Keep it simple and aligned with your main offering.
2. Explore similar or broader terms
The SSIC list doesn’t always reflect modern or hybrid business models. If your exact activity isn’t listed, look for:
- Broader categories (e.g., training instead of leadership coaching)
- Upstream or downstream services (e.g., wholesale if you manufacture, consulting if you advise)
Don’t aim for perfection, aim for the best functional fit that reflects your core operations.
3. Cross-check with the full SSIC list
Conduct a manual search on the latest Singapore Standard Industrial Classification. It groups codes by industry, which helps if you’re browsing manually. Take your time reviewing sections that align with your sector, such as tech, retail, logistics, education, etc. This can help you spot codes that aren’t obvious in a keyword search.
4. Write a custom business activity description
During company registration, ACRA allows you to add a short custom description to clarify your business activity. But this must closely match the selected SSIC code. Mismatches may result in referral checks or approval delays.
5. Check for licensing or referral implications
As mentioned earlier, some SSIC codes can trigger reviews by referral authorities like MAS or Enterprise Singapore. This may result in longer processing times, often several weeks, depending on the referral authority. If you’re in a regulated industry, be extra careful when selecting your code and ensure you’re prepared for additional steps.
List of SSIC codes for 2026
Choosing the right SSIC code is critical when registering your business in Singapore. The codes below reflect the SSIC 2025 framework (effective 9 May 2026), which replaced SSIC 2020. Always verify your chosen code on ACRA’s Bizfile portal before registering, as some descriptions and codes were updated in the transition.
Accommodation and Food Service Activities
|
SSIC Code |
Description |
|
47102 |
Mini-marts, convenience stores and provision shops |
|
47219 |
Retail sale of food n.e.c. |
|
56111 |
Restaurants |
|
56112 |
Cafes |
|
56122 |
Food courts, coffee shops and canteens (with mainly food and beverage income) |
|
56140 |
Stalls selling cooked food and prepared drinks (including stalls at food courts and mobile food hawkers) |
|
56200 |
Food caterers |
Administrative and Support Service Activities
|
SSIC Code |
Description |
|
77101 |
Renting and leasing of private cars without a driver |
|
78104 |
Employment agencies (except domestic worker employment placement agencies) |
|
79102 |
Travel agencies and tour operators (mainly outbound) |
|
81211 |
General cleaning services (except household cleaning) |
|
82303 |
Event organisers (except concerts, sports/fitness event organisers and wedding planners) |
|
82999 |
Other business support service activities n.e.c. |
Arts, Sports and Recreation
|
SSIC Code |
Description |
|
93203 |
Night clubs, discotheques, dance clubs and karaoke lounges |
Construction
|
SSIC Code |
Description |
|
41001 |
General contractors (building construction, including major upgrading works) |
|
41009 |
Building construction n.e.c. |
|
43210 |
Electrical works |
|
43220 |
Installation of plumbing, heating (non-electric) and air-conditioning systems |
|
43301 |
Renovation contractors |
Education
|
SSIC Code |
Description |
|
85405 |
Training courses for information and communications, finance and professional services |
|
85407 |
Training courses for sports and games |
|
85408 |
Training courses for music, dancing, art, speech and drama |
|
85409 |
Training courses n.e.c. |
|
85509 |
Educational support services n.e.c. (excluding online marketplaces) |
Financial and Insurance Activities
|
SSIC Code |
Description |
|
64201 |
Bank and financial holding companies (including insurance holding companies) |
|
64202 |
Other holding companies |
|
66192 |
Corporate finance advisory services |
|
66301 |
Traditional/long-only asset/portfolio management |
|
66309 |
Fund management activities n.e.c. |
Health and Social Services
|
SSIC Code |
Description |
|
86201 |
Clinics and other general medical services (Western) |
|
86203 |
Specialised medical services (including day surgical centres) |
|
86204 |
Dental services |
|
86901 |
Medical laboratories |
|
87029 |
Other residential care services n.e.c. |
|
88911 |
Infant care services; child minding services for pre-school children |
Manufacturing
|
SSIC Code |
Description |
|
28300 |
Installation of industrial machinery and equipment, mechanical engineering works |
|
30110 |
Building and repairing of ships, tankers and other ocean-going vessels (including conversion of ships into offshore structures) |
|
31001 |
Manufacture of furniture and fixtures of wood |
|
32909 |
Other manufacturing industries n.e.c. |
Mining and Quarrying
|
SSIC Code |
Description |
|
09002 |
Service activities incidental to oil and gas extraction (except surveying and engineering design and consultancy services supporting mining, oil and gas extraction and offshore exploration activities) |
Other Service Activities
|
SSIC Code |
Description |
|
95301 |
Repair and maintenance of motor vehicles |
|
96021 |
Hairdressing salons/shops |
|
96022 |
Beauty salons and spas (including slimming, skin care and hair care centres) |
|
96099 |
Other personal service activities n.e.c. |
Professional, Scientific and Technical Activities
|
SSIC Code |
Description |
|
69201 |
Accounting, auditing and tax consultancy services |
|
69202 |
Book-keeping services |
|
70201 |
Management consultancy services |
|
70209 |
Management consultancy services n.e.c. |
|
71121 |
General building engineering design and consultancy services |
|
71122 |
Process and industrial plant engineering design and consultancy services |
|
71129 |
Engineering design and consultancy activities n.e.c. |
|
73100 |
Advertising activities |
|
74191 |
Interior design services |
|
74192 |
Art and graphic design services |
Publishing, Broadcasting, and Content Production and Distribution Activities
|
SSIC Code |
Description |
|
59111 |
Movie production |
|
59119 |
Movie, video, television and other programme production activities n.e.c. |
|
59120 |
Movie, video, television and other programme post-production activities |
Real Estate Activities
|
SSIC Code |
Description |
|
68101 |
Real estate developers |
|
68103 |
Letting of self-owned or leased real estate property except food courts, coffee shops and canteens (e.g. office/exhibition space, shopping mall, self-storage facilities) |
|
68104 |
Letting and operating self-owned or leased food courts, coffee shops and canteens (with mainly rental income) |
|
68201 |
Real estate agencies and valuation services |
|
68209 |
Real estate activities on a fee or commission basis n.e.c. (excluding online marketplaces) |
Telecommunications, Computer Programming, Consultancy, Computing Infrastructure, and Other Information Service Activities
|
SSIC Code |
Description |
|
61090 |
Other telecommunications services |
|
62011 |
Development of software and applications (except games and cybersecurity) |
|
62013 |
Development of software for cybersecurity |
|
62021 |
Information technology consultancy (except cybersecurity) |
|
62022 |
Information technology cybersecurity consultancy |
|
62090 |
Other information technology and computer service activities |
|
63201 |
Online marketplaces operating on a fee or commission basis for goods and food sold by third-party; online marketplaces for food delivery services |
|
63203 |
Online marketplaces for education services |
|
63209 |
Online marketplaces operating on a fee or commission basis for other services provided by third-party providers |
|
63909 |
Other information service activities n.e.c. |
Transportation and Storage
|
SSIC Code |
Description |
|
50021 |
Shipping companies, including chartering of ships and boats with crew (freight) |
|
50022 |
Operators and charterers of barges, tugboats and bumboats (freight) |
|
52222 |
Shipping agencies (freight) |
|
52226 |
Ship management services |
|
52227 |
Ship brokering services |
|
52291 |
Cargo surveying services |
|
52292 |
Freight transport arrangement |
Wholesale and Retail Trade
|
SSIC Code |
Description |
|
46100 |
Wholesale on a fee or commission basis (excluding online marketplaces) |
|
46309 |
Wholesale of food, beverages and tobacco n.e.c. |
|
46424 |
Wholesale of personal care products |
|
46511 |
Wholesale of computer hardware and peripheral equipment (except cybersecurity-related hardware and peripheral equipment) |
|
46512 |
Wholesale of computer software (except games and cybersecurity software) |
|
46522 |
Wholesale of electronic components |
|
46541 |
Wholesale of industrial machinery and equipment |
|
46551 |
Wholesale of marine equipment and accessories |
|
46592 |
Wholesale of medical, professional, scientific and precision equipment |
|
46599 |
Wholesale of other machinery and equipment n.e.c. |
|
46639 |
Wholesale of construction materials, hardware, plumbing and heating equipment and supplies n.e.c. |
|
46900 |
Wholesale trade of a variety of goods without a dominant product |
|
47101 |
Supermarkets and hypermarkets |
|
47311 |
Retail sale of motor vehicles (except motorcycles and scooters) |
|
47412 |
Retail sale of computer hardware and peripheral equipment, and computer software (except games and cybersecurity hardware and software) |
|
47711 |
Retail sale of clothing for adults |
|
47719 |
Retail sale of clothing, footwear and leather articles n.e.c. |
|
47721 |
Retail sale of personal care products |
How Sleek helps you choose the right SSIC code (and get incorporated faster)
SSIC Singapore codes may seem like a small detail, but getting them wrong can lead to big delays, missed tax benefits, or unexpected licence requirements.
At Sleek, we guide you through every step of the incorporation process, including choosing the right SSIC code that fits your business model and growth plans.
Our expert, local team understands how Singapore’s compliance ecosystem works. So, whether you’re a solo founder, a startup with multiple revenue streams, or expanding from overseas, we’ll help you register smoothly, without confusion or costly mistakes.
A smooth incorporation today sets the stage for everything you’ll build tomorrow.
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FAQs on SSIC codes in Singapore
What is the difference between SSIC 2020 and SSIC 2025?
SSIC 2025 replaced SSIC 2020 on 9 May 2026. Over 1,500 codes were revised; some merged, some split into more specific sub-categories. New codes were added for emerging sectors, including climate technology, digital platforms, and AI-related services, while obsolete codes with few registered businesses were removed. The system is now more closely aligned with the United Nations’ ISIC Revision 5 international standard. For existing companies, ACRA automatically matches your old code to the nearest SSIC 2025 equivalent, but you should review the auto-assigned code and update it within 14 days if it is not accurate.
What is the Singapore Standard Industrial Classification (SSIC)?
The SSIC is a government classification code required during company registration to describe your business activity. It helps agencies like ACRA, IRAS, and Enterprise Singapore understand what your business does for licensing, compliance, and statistical tracking. Every company must declare at least one relevant SSIC code.
Is the SSIC code mandatory when registering a company in Singapore?
Yes. Every business registering with ACRA must choose an SSIC code that reflects its principal activity. This is a required part of the incorporation process and helps government agencies apply the right regulations, licensing checks, and tax treatments to your business.
Can freelancers or solo founders choose an SSIC code too?
Yes. Even if you’re a one-person business, like a freelancer or solo consultant, you must still select an SSIC code when registering your company. This ensures your entity is officially classified and eligible for appropriate tax treatments, grants, and regulatory assessments.
Is it possible to choose more than one SSIC code for a Singapore company?
Yes, you can declare a secondary SSIC code in addition to your primary one. This is useful if your business operates in two closely related areas (e.g., software development and consulting). However, your main SSIC code must clearly reflect your principal activity.
