If you’re thinking of starting a business in Singapore, you’ve probably heard of ACRA, which is the national registry for companies. But there’s something else you’ll need to select during registration that sounds a little technical: the SSIC code.

Don’t worry — it’s not as complicated as it sounds. Here’s a simple way to think about it.

What’s an SSIC Code?

SSIC stands for Singapore Standard Industrial Classification. It’s just a fancy way of saying:

“What type of business are you running?”

When you register your company with ACRA, you’ll need to tell them what your business actually does. That’s where the SSIC code comes in — it’s a 5-digit number that represents your company’s primary business activity.

Every type of business — from selling cakes, to running events, to software development — has a code.

Why Is It Important?

The SSIC code helps government agencies:

• Understand what industries are growing or changing,

• Decide which businesses qualify for specific grants or support,

• Figure out if your business needs special licenses or approvals (like F&B permits or import/export licenses),

• And keep track of statistics on businesses in Singapore.

It also helps potential partners, collaborators, or even banks and investors understand your company at a glance.

️What If My Business Does More Than One Thing?

No worries — you’re allowed to choose one primary activity and an optional secondary activity.

Let’s say:

• You run a cafe that also sells bottled drinks online.

  • Your primary activity might be “Food and Beverage Services”,

  • And your secondary could be “Online Retail of Beverages”.

Just think about where most of your income or time goes, and pick that as the main one.

How Do I Know Which Code to Pick?

You can use the ACRA SSIC Search Tool to look up keywords like:

• “bakery”

• “design”

• “training”

• “retail”

• “consulting”

Each keyword will show you a list of possible codes and short descriptions, so you can choose the one that best fits your business.

✅ Real Example – For a Marketing Business

Let’s say someone is starting a small marketing company.

Here are some examples of SSIC codes they might choose:

But again — this applies to any industry, not just marketing!

What Happens If I Pick the Wrong Code?

It’s not a disaster — but it may create issues later if:

• You need a license but didn’t register under the correct category,

• You’re applying for government grants that only apply to certain industries,

• Or you’re asked by authorities to clarify your business activity.

If your business evolves over time, you can also update your SSIC code later.

️ Summary

Starting a business in Singapore? Here’s what to remember:

• SSIC codes help categorize your business activity.

• They’re important for admin, licensing, and support schemes.

• Choose the one that best represents your main work.

• Use the ACRA SSIC search tool if you’re unsure.

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This blog features articles by guest writers from Lepakcreator.com

(Credits: Pexels)