SSIC Code Singapore: How to Find, Choose, and Update the Right Code

Last Updated: June 2026

An SSIC code is the 5-digit Singapore Standard Industrial Classification number that tells the government what your business actually does. Every entity registered with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) must declare at least one. To find the right one, you search the official SSIC list on ACRA’s BizFile portal by keyword, then pick the 5-digit activity that best matches how your business earns its revenue.

The short version: choose the code that describes your main money-making activity, not the one that sounds most impressive. The current edition is SSIC 2025, maintained by the Department of Statistics (SingStat), and you can hold up to two codes, a primary and a secondary. Getting this right matters more than founders expect, because licensing, GST eligibility, and your bank’s risk scoring all read from it.

Key Takeaways

• An SSIC code is a 5-digit number classifying your business activity, maintained by the Department of Statistics; the current edition is SSIC 2025, refreshed roughly every five years.
• Every ACRA-registered entity must declare an SSIC code, and you may hold up to two: a primary and a secondary activity.
• You find and choose the code using the ACRA SSIC search on BizFile, searching by a plain keyword for what you do.
• Your code drives licensing, GST and scheme eligibility, and banks factor it into risk and AML scoring, so a vague or high-risk code can slow a corporate account.
• The code reflects your activity but does not by itself limit what your company may legally do.
• You can update your SSIC code at any time through BizFile.

What is an SSIC code?

SSIC stands for Singapore Standard Industrial Classification. It is a 5-digit code that classifies a business’s economic activity, used across government for registration, statistics, and policy. When you register any entity with ACRA, you must declare the SSIC code or codes that describe what the business does.

The classification is maintained by the Department of Statistics (SingStat) and is reviewed roughly every five years to keep pace with new industries. The version in force is SSIC 2025. As a national standard, the same code means the same thing whether you file with ACRA, apply for a licence, or are assessed by a bank.

One point that trips people up: the SSIC code records what you do, but it does not act as a permit or a restriction. Declaring a code does not, on its own, stop your company from carrying out other lawful activities.

How is the 5-digit code structured?

The SSIC is a hierarchy that narrows from broad to specific, with each layer adding detail until you reach a single, precise activity.

• Section: the broadest grouping, such as wholesale and retail trade, or information and communications.
• Division, group, and class: progressively narrower bands that sit beneath the section.
• 5-digit activity: the most specific level, the actual code you declare to ACRA.

You do not need to memorise the hierarchy. You search for your activity and the tool returns the matching 5-digit code with its broader category. The detail matters because two businesses that sound similar in plain English can sit under very different codes, and that changes how a bank or licensing body views you.

How do I find the right SSIC code?

The reliable way is the official ACRA SSIC search built into the BizFile portal. You type a plain keyword that describes your work, for example “software”, “e-commerce”, or “consultancy”, and the tool returns the matching 5-digit codes, each with a short description. You then pick the one that fits your real activity.

A few habits make this faster and more accurate:

• Search the verb or the product, not your brand or marketing tagline.
• Read the full description, not just the code title, since the wording clarifies what is and is not included.
• If several codes look close, choose the one matching where most of your revenue will come from.
• Lean on the official ACRA guidance on finding the right SSIC code when unsure.

If you are still planning, settle your structure first, since the activity often follows from it. Our guides on choosing the right business structure and how to register a company in Singapore both feed into picking your code, and on cost, our piece on registering a company from S$1 separates the marketing from the real numbers.

How many SSIC codes can a company have?

A company can declare up to two SSIC codes: a primary business activity and a secondary business activity. The primary code should describe your main revenue source, and the secondary code covers a meaningful second line of business if you have one.

If your business genuinely only does one thing, a single primary code is fine. There is no benefit to filling the second slot with a code you do not really operate, since a mismatched or overly broad set creates friction rather than flexibility.

Why does your SSIC code matter?

It is easy to treat the code as a tick-box during registration, but it follows your company around and feeds several decisions made about you.

• Licensing: certain activities are regulated, and the authority looks at your declared activity to decide what permits you need. Our overview of business licences and permits covers the common ones.
• GST and scheme eligibility: your classified activity can affect grants, incentives, and how certain tax rules apply. If you are nearing the threshold, see our guide to GST registration in Singapore.
• Bank risk and AML scoring: banks factor your code into their risk and anti-money-laundering assessment. A vague code, or one mapping to a higher-risk sector, can slow or complicate opening a corporate account.

That last point catches founders off guard most often. The bank reads your declared activity as one signal of who you are, so a clear, well-matched code makes you easier to onboard, as our guide on opening a corporate bank account in Singapore explains.

How do you choose the code that fits?

The guiding rule, and the heart of what most founders are really asking when they look up “ssic code singapore”, is to match the code to your real, revenue-generating activity. If most of your income comes from building software, your primary code should reflect software, even if you also sell a little consulting on the side.

Avoid two common mistakes: choosing a code that sounds prestigious but does not describe what you do, which creates awkward questions later, or picking something so broad that a bank or regulator cannot tell what your business really is. Settling the code is one of the early setup steps in our guide to the essential business operations every Singapore SME must set up.

In a layered structure the codes can differ between entities, where the holding company and the operating entity carry different classifications. Foreign founders have an extra layer to weigh, covered in our guide on opening a business in Singapore as a foreigner.

How do you update your SSIC code with ACRA?

You are not locked in. If your business pivots, adds a new line, or you realise the original code was a poor fit, you can update your SSIC code at any time through BizFile: log in, change the declared primary or secondary activity, and submit. ACRA’s guidance on updating your entity’s information sets out the steps.

Revisit your code when something material changes, for example when you start earning most of your money from a new activity, or before a bank or licensing application where it will be scrutinised. This low-effort housekeeping fits alongside the wider accounting and compliance obligations every company carries.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an SSIC code in Singapore?

An SSIC code is a 5-digit Singapore Standard Industrial Classification number that describes a business’s economic activity. Every entity registered with ACRA must declare one, and the current edition is SSIC 2025.

How do I find the right SSIC code for my business?

Use the official ACRA SSIC search on the BizFile portal. Type a plain keyword that describes what you do, then pick the 5-digit code that best matches your main revenue-generating activity rather than your brand name.

How many SSIC codes can a company have?

A company can declare up to two SSIC codes: a primary business activity and a secondary one. If your business only does one thing, a single primary code is enough, and there is no benefit to adding a code you do not actually operate.

Why does my SSIC code matter for opening a bank account?

Banks factor your SSIC code into their risk and anti-money-laundering scoring. A vague code, or one that maps to a higher-risk sector, can slow or complicate opening a corporate account, while a clear, accurate code makes onboarding smoother.

How do I update my SSIC code with ACRA?

Log in to BizFile, change your declared primary or secondary activity, and submit. You can update your SSIC code at any time, with no need to wait for a renewal, and it is worth doing whenever your main activity changes.

Who maintains the SSIC list?

The Singapore Standard Industrial Classification is maintained by the Department of Statistics (SingStat). It is reviewed roughly every five years to reflect new industries, and the version currently in force is SSIC 2025.

Need help picking the right SSIC code?

The right SSIC code is a small detail that quietly shapes your licensing, GST position, and how smoothly a bank can onboard you. If you want to be sure your declared activity reads well to ACRA and to your bank, talk to us and we will help you choose and file the code that fits your business.