Singapore has officially transitioned to SSIC 2025.
As of 9 May 2026, businesses registering or updating their business activities with ACRA must use the updated Singapore Standard Industrial Classification (SSIC) 2025 framework. The revision reflects major shifts in Singapore’s economy, including artificial intelligence (AI), ecommerce, sustainability, digital platforms, fintech, and modern professional services.
Whether you are:
- incorporating a new company,
- reviewing your company’s business activities,
- applying for licences,
- opening a corporate bank account,
- or checking grant eligibility,
your SSIC code matters more than many founders realise.
SSIC stands for Singapore Standard Industrial Classification.
It is Singapore’s official framework for categorising business activities. All businesses registered with ACRA must select at least one 5-digit SSIC code that reflects their principal activity. (ACRA)
When incorporating a company in Singapore, businesses may select:
Your SSIC code becomes part of your company’s official ACRA Business Profile and is used by agencies including: ACRA, IRAS, Enterprise Singapore, MAS, licensing authorities, banks and financial institutions.
Many founders assume SSIC codes are just administrative details during company incorporation. In reality, your SSIC code can affect:
Certain industries may trigger referral checks by government authorities. For example: financial services, education, travel, real estate, healthcare, and regulated investment activities may require approval from relevant authorities before incorporation is completed.
Banks frequently use SSIC classifications during AML/KYC reviews. If your selected code appears high-risk, does not match your website, or does not reflect your actual operations, your corporate bank account opening may face delays or additional reviews.
Some Enterprise Singapore grants and support schemes rely on SSIC classifications to determine eligibility. Choosing an inaccurate or overly generic SSIC code may affect: grant approvals, innovation support schemes, startup incentives, and sector-specific programmes.
IRAS may use your SSIC classification to understand: the nature of your supplies, GST applicability, industry risk profiles, and tax treatment expectations. Certain sectors may also have different GST implications or compliance obligations.
Some business activities require licences before operations can begin. Examples include: food businesses, payment services, travel agencies, educational institutions, employment agencies, and financial activities. Your SSIC code helps ACRA determine whether your application should be referred to another authority.
Singapore updates the SSIC framework approximately every five years to reflect changes in the economy.
SSIC 2025 introduces revised classifications for: AI and machine learning, digital platforms, ecommerce, sustainability and ESG activities, fintech services, remote-first professional services, creator economy businesses, and modern software activities.
According to official guidance, some SSIC 2020 codes were merged, split into multiple categories, renamed, or mapped to entirely new classifications. This means businesses should review whether their current SSIC code still accurately reflects what they do today.
More Specific Technology Categories: Under SSIC 2020, many businesses used broad software or IT consultancy classifications. SSIC 2025 introduces more specialised classifications for: AI development, cybersecurity software, digital platforms, data science activities, and cloud-related services.
Better Ecommerce Classification: Singapore’s updated framework now better distinguishes between: ecommerce retailers, online marketplaces, dropshipping businesses, subscription commerce, and digital platform operators.
Sustainability & Green Economy Categories: New classifications now reflect: carbon-related activities, ESG consulting, renewable energy management, sustainability advisory, and circular economy activities.
Creator Economy & Digital Media: The revised framework better captures: influencer management, digital media production, online content creation, and creator-focused services.
In many cases, yes. ACRA and the Department of Statistics have automatically mapped existing SSIC 2020 classifications to corresponding SSIC 2025 codes.
However, businesses should still review their updated classifications carefully. Automatic mapping may use broader classifications, assign generic categories, or fail to fully reflect evolving business models. This is especially important for: startups, AI businesses, SaaS companies, fintech firms, ecommerce businesses, and investment-related entities.
You can find your current SSIC code in your ACRA Business Profile via BizFile+. Your SSIC classifications are typically listed under: “Principal Activities”. If your business activities have evolved significantly since incorporation, it may be worth reviewing whether your classifications remain accurate.
Below are some commonly used SSIC codes based on popular business activities in Singapore.
| SSIC Code | SSIC 2025 Description |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| SSIC Code | SSIC 2025 Description |
|---|---|
| 63201 | Online marketplaces operating on a fee or commission basis for goods and food sold by third-party |
| 63203 | Online marketplaces for education services |
| 63209 | Online marketplaces operating on a fee or commission basis for other services provided by third-party providers |
| SSIC Code | SSIC 2025 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 |
| SSIC Code | SSIC 2025 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. |
| SSIC Code | SSIC 2025 Description |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| SSIC Code | SSIC 2025 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. |
| SSIC Code | SSIC 2025 Description |
|---|---|
| 68101 | Real estate developers |
| 68201 | Real estate agencies and valuation services |
| 68209 | Real estate activities on a fee or commission basis n.e.c. (excluding online marketplaces) |
View more commonly used SSIC codes in Singapore →
Choosing the right SSIC code is important for both compliance and operational reasons.
Your primary SSIC code should reflect: the activity generating the most economic value, not necessarily your future plans. Government agencies generally assess the activity contributing the most operational value to the business.
“n.e.c.” stands for: Not Elsewhere Classified. While sometimes necessary, businesses should avoid generic classifications when more precise codes exist. Specific classifications often create: clearer compliance positioning, smoother banking reviews, and stronger grant alignment.
Your: website, invoices, marketing, and business model should align with your declared SSIC classification. Mismatch between: declared activities and actual operations can create issues during: bank onboarding, grant applications, or regulatory reviews.
If your business activities have changed, you can update your SSIC classification through BizFile+.
Typical steps include:
In some cases, regulated activities may trigger additional approvals from referral authorities. (ACRA)
Yes. Singapore companies may generally register: one primary SSIC code, and one secondary SSIC code. Your primary classification should represent your main activity.
An inaccurate SSIC classification can potentially lead to: licensing delays, incorporation reviews, banking issues, incorrect industry profiling, grant ineligibility, or compliance complications. Businesses that pivot into new industries should periodically review whether their SSIC classifications remain accurate.
Is an SSIC code mandatory in Singapore?
Yes. All ACRA-registered entities must declare at least one SSIC code. (ACRA)
Can I change my SSIC code later?
Yes. Businesses may update their classifications through BizFile+ if their activities evolve. (excellencesg.com)
Does my SSIC code affect licences?
Potentially. Certain business activities may require approval from government authorities depending on the classification selected. (ACRA)
Can my company have two SSIC codes?
Yes. Businesses may generally register both a primary and secondary business activity. (Sleek)
What if I cannot find an exact match?
Businesses should select the classification that most closely reflects their core operational activity.
Choosing the right SSIC code is an important part of setting up your business correctly in Singapore. An inaccurate classification can lead to licensing delays, banking issues, or unnecessary compliance complications later on. At Counto, we help founders navigate the business registration process with practical guidance on: selecting suitable SSIC codes, understanding regulatory requirements, and ensuring your company structure aligns with your business activities and future plans. Whether you are: launching a startup, building an ecommerce business, operating an AI or software company, or expanding into Singapore from overseas, our local team can help you incorporate confidently and stay compliant from day one.
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