What is SSIC Code?
The Singapore Standard Industrial Classification (SSIC) Code is a number assigned to specify a Singaporean company’s business activities. These codes are often used for statistical and administrative purposes, such as:
- Regulation and governance of a company
- Data for reports, surveys, censuses, and other documents to properly represent the Singaporean economy.
- Determining license requirements of the company
- Qualification for certain tax benefits and support programs
The SSIC is regularly updated by Singapore’s Department of Statistics to keep up with the nation-state’s economy, rising business activities, and changes in international standards.
Why is it Important to Have the Right SSIC Code?
Here are a few reasons why it’s important to find the right SSIC code for your company:
- Licenses: Companies that fall under certain SSIC codes will be required to obtain further licenses to operate their businesses legally.
- Grant Eligibility: The SSIC code of your company, specifically the primary code, can decide whether you qualify for any financial support or grants.
- Status of Business Operations: The government can implement certain orders that can affect companies that fall under specific SSIC codes. An example of this is how certain companies were forced into remote or off-site work during the lockdown.
Choosing an SSIC Code for a Singapore Company
When choosing the right SSIC code for your company, it’s best to choose the code that reflects the principal activities of your company—the activity that brings the most revenue to your company and the activity that you want to seek a license for—but keep in mind that a company is allowed to have a maximum of two codes.
In case you’re still unsure as to which code is most applicable to your business, you may also visit the BizFile+ site and type in the primary keywords that best describe your company’s activities.
Applying for an SSIC Code
The application usually happens during your company’s incorporation and name reservation stage. In this process, you must submit at least one SSIC code to represent your company, but you may also add an optional code. Should your business activity not match any SSIC code, you can write a customized description that will be reflected in your company’s BizFile application.
In case you realize that your chosen SSIC code doesn’t fit your business activities, you can have your business secretary send the application form to ACRA. However, this doesn’t mean that you are allowed to register for the wrong code, as this will not only prevent you from getting the appropriate licenses to operate, but also disqualifies you from any benefits and incentives such as grants, tax incentives, and other support programs.
Some SSIC codes may need to be reviewed and processed by other authorities, and this may delay the incorporation of your company. The processing can take anywhere from 14 to 60 working days. Some codes might also require you to apply for more than one license depending, on the industry you’re in.
How to Check My Company SSIC Code?
You can check your company’s SSIC code by visiting ACRA’s SSIC search website. On the website, you can type in relevant keywords that represent your company’s business activities and browse through a list of relevant SSIC codes that you can consider. ACRA provides a step-by-step guide, but here are also some tips to keep in mind when using the website:
- Search for keywords that best represent your company’s business operations.
- Try different variations of keywords for more comprehensive results.
- If you’re given several SSIC code results, choose one that corresponds to the description that most closely matches your business activities.
- Before searching, make sure that you double check your keywords for any errors.
- If you can’t find a suitable SSIC code for your company, feel free to check the SSIC 202 report, which has a categorized list of SSIC codes.
List of Most Common SSIC Codes
Here’s a list of some of the most common SSIC codes from the latest edition of SSIC codes released last March 2020. Keep in mind that some codes may come with additional conditions and requirements.
B2B and Finance
SSIC Codes |
Business Activities Covered |
82999 |
Other Business Support Service Activities |
73100 |
Advertising Activities |
63209 |
Online Marketplaces for Services |
78104 |
Employment Agencies (excluding domestic worker employment placement agencies) |
69202 |
Bookkeeping Services (excluding online marketplaces) |
66192 |
Corporate Finance Advisory Services |
66301 |
Portfolio Management |
66307 |
Private Debt Funds |
66309 |
Fund Management Activities |
Construction and Real Estate
SSIC Codes |
Business Activities Covered |
41001 |
General Contractors (Building Construction Including Major Upgrading Works) |
41009 |
Building Construction |
68101 |
Real Estate Developers |
43301 |
Renovation Contractors |
68209 |
Real Estate Activities On A Fee Or Commission Basis (Excluding Online Marketplaces) |
42101 |
General Contractors (Non-Building Construction) |
43220 |
Installation Of Plumbing, Heating (Non-Electric) And Air-Conditioning Systems |
68101 |
Real Estate Developers |
68201 |
Real Estate Agencies And Valuation Services |
Consultancy
SSIC Codes |
Business Activities Covered |
62021 |
Information Technology Consultancy (not including cybersecurity) |
62022 |
Information Technology Cyber Security Consultancy |
69101 |
Legal Activities (Excluding Online Marketplaces) |
69201 |
Accounting and Auditing Services (Excluding Online Marketplaces) |
69202 |
Bookkeeping Services (Except Online Marketplaces) |
70201 |
Management Consultancy Services |
70206 |
Port, Shipping, and Maritime-Related Consultancy Services |
70209 |
Business and Management Consultancy Services |
71111 |
Architectural Services |
71121 |
General Building Engineering Design and Consultancy |
71122 |
Process and Industrial Plant engineering Design and Consultancy |
71126 |
Engineering Design and Consultancy Services (related to mining, oil and gas extraction and other offshore exploration) |
71129 |
Engineering Design and Consultancy Activities |
73100 |
Advertising Activities |
74902 |
Brokerage and Consultancy Services of Intellectual Property Assets
|
74909 |
Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Activities |
78101 |
IT Manpower Contracting services |
78102 |
Manpower Contracting Services (Excluding IT Manpower) |
78104 |
Employment Agencies (Excluding Domestic Worker Employment, Placement Agencies, and Online Marketplaces) |
79102 |
Travel Agencies and Tour Operators (Mainly Outbound) |
88911 |
Childcare Services for Pre-School Children (Including Infant Care Services) |
82110 |
Office Administrative Services on a Fee or Contract Basis |
82199 |
Other Specialized Office Support Activities |
Food and Beverage Services
SSIC Codes |
Business Activities Covered |
56111 |
Restaurants |
56122 |
Food Courts, Coffee Shops, And Canteens (With Mainly Food And Beverage Income) |
56112 |
Cafés |
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 |
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) |
General Services
SSIC Codes |
Business Activities Covered |
74191 |
Interior Design Services |
82303 |
Event/Concert Organisers |
43210 |
Electrical Works |
96099 |
Other Personal Service Activities (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 |
93203 |
Night Clubs, Discotheques, Dance Clubs And Karaoke Lounges |
77101 |
Renting And Leasing Of Private Cars Without Driver (Excluding Online Marketplaces) |
59111 |
Movie Production |
Technology
SSIC Codes |
Business Activities Covered |
62011 |
Development of Software and Applications (excluding games and cybersecurity) |
62012 |
Development of Computer Games
|
62013 |
Development of Software for Cybersecurity
|
62021 |
Information Technology Consultancy (Except Cybersecurity) |
62022 |
Information Technology Cybersecurity Consultance |
62023 |
Computer Facilities Management Activities |
62090 |
Other Information Technology and Computer Service Activities |
61091 |
Telecommunications Resellers and Third Party Telecommunications Providers |
61099 |
Other Telecommunications Activities |
63120 |
Internet Search Engines |
63119 |
Data Analytics, Processing and Other Related Activities |
Transportation and Storage
SSIC Codes |
Business Activities Covered |
50011 |
International Cruise Services |
50021 |
Shipping Companies (Including Chartering of Ships and Boats with Crew)
|
50022 |
Operators and Charterers of Barges, Tugboats, and Bumboats
|
52101 |
General Warehousing |
52222 |
Shipping Agencies |
52225 |
Salvaging of Distressed Vessels and Cargos |
52226 |
Ship Management Services |
52227 |
Ship Brokering Services |
52241 |
Container Depot Services |
52291 |
Cargo Surveying Services |
52252 |
Freight Transport Arrangement |
Retail
SSIC Codes |
Business Activities Covered |
47102 |
Mini-Marts, Convenience Stores, and Provision Shops |
47219 |
Retail Sale of Food |
47311 |
Retail Sale of Motor Vehicles (excluding motorcycles and scooters) |
47412 |
Retail of Computer Hardware, Peripheral Equipment, and Computer Software (excluding games and cybersecurity hardware and software) |
47531 |
Retail Sale of Furniture (Including Mattresses and Cushions) |
47630 |
Retail of Sports Apparel and Equipment (Including Bicycles, Boats, and Healthcare Equipment) |
47721 |
Retail Sale of Cosmetics and Toiletries (excluding skincare products) |
47719 |
Retail Sale of Clothes, Footwear and Leather Articles |
47711 |
Retail Sale of Clothing for Adults |
47729 |
Retail Sale of Pharmaceutical and Medical Goods |
Shipping and Logistics
SSIC Codes |
Business Activities Covered |
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 |
Can You Change Your Company’s SSIC Code?
If your company changes its business activities after incorporation, then you can change its SSIC code on ACRA’s BizFile+ online portal. You can either change your primary SSIC code, secondary SSIC code, or both. However, if you plan on changing your company’s SSIC code during the registration process, then keep in mind that this may delay your application and require you to submit additional documents.
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