Singapore SSIC Code 2026: Find, Check & Change Your ACRA Business Activity
Not sure which SSIC code to use in Singapore? Learn how to find, check and update your SSIC code under ACRA’s 2026 rules. Get professional assistance.
Starting a company in Singapore or expanding your existing business? Choosing the correct SSIC code is an important part of keeping your ACRA business records accurate.
Many entrepreneurs only discover SSIC codes when registering a company. However, an outdated or inaccurate business activity classification can also create complications when dealing with banks, licensing authorities, government schemes and other business counterparties.
With Singapore’s latest SSIC classification implemented in 2026, this is a good time for business owners to review their registered activities.
In this guide, Accretion Consulting Pte Ltd explains how to choose the right SSIC code, check your existing code, update your ACRA records and avoid common mistakes.
1. What Is an SSIC Code in Singapore?
SSIC stands for Singapore Standard Industrial Classification.
It is a five-digit classification system used to identify the economic activities carried out by businesses in Singapore.
For example, a business may operate as:
A restaurant or café
An online retailer
A construction contractor
A management consultancy
A software development company
A wholesale trading company
Each activity has a corresponding classification under the official SSIC system.
When registering a company with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA), you must select a primary business activity and may select a secondary business activity.
Important: Your SSIC code describes your business activities. It is not, by itself, a business licence or permission to conduct regulated activities.
2. Important SSIC Update for Singapore Companies in 2026
Singapore introduced the SSIC 2025 classification, which was implemented in ACRA’s Bizfile system on 9 May 2026.
Existing entities’ codes were updated from SSIC 2020 to SSIC 2025, and entities affected by changes were notified.
What should existing business owners do?
If your company was incorporated before May 2026, consider reviewing your current ACRA Business Profile.
Ask yourself:
Does the registered SSIC code still describe our actual business?
Have we started providing new services or selling new products?
Have we expanded into import/export, online retail or consultancy?
Is our primary business activity still the main activity generating value?
Does our registered activity match the business we explain to banks and commercial partners?
If the classification is no longer accurate, you should consider updating it.
Need help reviewing your existing SSIC code?
Accretion Consulting can assist with reviewing your business activities, identifying suitable classifications and preparing the relevant ACRA updates.
3. Why Choosing the Correct SSIC Code Matters
A. Company incorporation
When establishing a Singapore private limited company, the proposed business activities must be declared during the registration process.
Selecting an accurate classification helps ensure your company profile reflects your intended operations.
B. Business bank account opening
Banks may review a company’s ACRA Business Profile as part of their know-your-customer and due diligence procedures.
If your declared business activities differ significantly from your actual operations, the bank may request additional explanations or supporting documents.
A clear and accurate business profile can make it easier to explain your company’s business model.
C. Business licences and regulatory requirements
Some industries require licences or approvals before commencing operations.
Examples include food establishments, certain financial services, employment agencies and regulated trading activities.
Your actual business activities determine the applicable licensing obligations. Choosing an SSIC code does not replace a required licence.
D. Government grants and industry schemes
Certain support schemes may use industry classifications as part of their eligibility assessment.
An appropriate SSIC classification can help ensure that your company is correctly represented when applying for relevant programmes.However, eligibility depends on each scheme’s specific requirements, not merely the SSIC code.
E. Corporate tax and IRAS records
Your principal business activity is also relevant to IRAS’s company records.
Importantly, if your company changes its principal activity, updating ACRA alone does not automatically update IRAS. You must inform IRAS separately.
This is one reason why companies should coordinate SSIC changes with their corporate secretarial and tax compliance work.
4. How to Find the Right SSIC Code for Your Business
Step 1: Identify what your company actually does.
Describe the products you sell or services you provide in plain language.
For example, “We import packaged food from Malaysia and distribute it to restaurants in Singapore” is more useful than simply describing the business as “trading”.
Step 2: Search the official SSIC classification.
Use the Singapore Department of Statistics SSIC search or the ACRA Bizfile search function.
Official resource: https://www.singstat.gov.sg/standard-classifications/national-classifications/singapore-standard-industrial-classification-ssic
Step 3: Compare the relevant descriptions.
Similar-sounding classifications may cover different economic activities.
For example, operating an online marketplace may be different from selling your own products online.
Step 4: Select your primary activity.
The primary activity should generally be the one contributing the greatest value added to the business. Where this cannot be determined, revenue and other indicators may be considered.
Step 5: Select a secondary activity where appropriate.If your company carries out another distinct business activity, you may include a secondary classification.
For more complex businesses, professional advice can help clarify which classification best reflects your operations.
5. Common Singapore Businesses That Should Review Their SSIC Codes
Business type
What to check
The correct five-digit code must be verified against the latest SSIC classification before filing.
6. How to Change Your SSIC Code in Singapore
Has your business expanded into new activities? Or have you discovered that your registered SSIC code is inaccurate?
You can update your business activity through ACRA’s Bizfile portal.
Step-by-step process
Log in to ACRA Bizfile using your authorised Corppass access.
Select the relevant registered entity.
Open the Entity Information section.
Select Business Activities and click Edit.
Search for the appropriate SSIC code.
Enter the effective date of the change.
Add or update the secondary activity if applicable.
Review the information and submit the change.
ACRA states that changes to business activities generally must be notified within 14 days of the change.
How much does it cost to change an SSIC code?
ACRA currently lists the standard update of entity information as free, with immediate processing.
However, a corporate service provider may charge a professional fee for reviewing your business activities, advising on the appropriate classification and handling the filing.
Prefer not to handle the ACRA filing yourself?
Accretion Consulting provides corporate secretarial and business compliance assistance for Singapore companies.
7. Common SSIC Mistakes That Business Owners Should Avoid
Mistake 1: Choosing a code simply because it sounds familiar
A broad industry label may not accurately describe the specific business activity your company performs.
Mistake 2: Forgetting to update ACRA after business expansion
A company originally established for consultancy may later start wholesale trading or operating a separate business line.
The company should review whether its existing registered activities remain appropriate.
Mistake 3: Assuming an SSIC code automatically grants a licence
A company cannot bypass regulatory licensing requirements merely by selecting a particular classification.
Mistake 4: Assuming an ACRA update also updates IRAS
Where the company’s principal activity changes, IRAS must be informed separately.
Mistake 5: Selecting codes based only on perceived grant or tax benefits
The SSIC classification must reflect actual business operations. A particular code does not automatically qualify a company for tax exemptions, grants or financial incentives.
8. Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my SSIC code after incorporating my company?
Yes. You can update your registered primary or secondary business activity through ACRA Bizfile.
Can a Singapore company have two SSIC codes?
Yes. ACRA’s standard registration records allow one primary and one optional secondary SSIC code. Additional business activities can be lodged through the appropriate ACRA eService where necessary.
Do I need to incorporate a new company when changing my business activity?
Not necessarily. An existing company can generally update its registered activities. Whether a new entity or additional regulatory approval is appropriate depends on the business structure and proposed activities.
Does an SSIC code determine how much corporate income tax I pay?
No. Singapore corporate income tax is determined under the applicable tax legislation. SSIC codes classify business activities and may be relevant to IRAS records or specific industry-related requirements.
How do I check my company’s current SSIC code?
Review the business activity information in your ACRA Business Profile or Bizfile entity records.
Is changing an SSIC code compulsory?
If your registered business activity has changed, the relevant information must be updated within the applicable statutory timeframe. An SSIC classification update does not necessarily mean every company needs to submit a separate change.
9. Get Professional Help with Your Singapore SSIC Code and ACRA Filing
Not sure whether your SSIC code is correct? Planning to register a company or expand into a new business activity?
Accretion Consulting Pte Ltd supports entrepreneurs, SMEs and international investors with Singapore company administration and compliance.
Our services include:
Singapore company incorporation
SSIC code review and business activity updates
Corporate secretarial services
ACRA annual return filing
Accounting and financial statement preparation
Corporate income tax compliance
GST registration and compliance support
Business structuring and related advisory
Rather than handling your company incorporation, ACRA updates, accounting and tax compliance through multiple providers, you can coordinate these requirements with one professional team.
Speak to Accretion Consulting
ACCRETION CONSULTING PTE LTD
Your Trusted Corporate Solutions Partner
Email: [email protected]
Contact us for an SSIC code review or company incorporation consultation.
To help us assess your requirements, please provide:
Your company name or UEN, if already incorporated.
A brief description of your current or proposed business activities.
Whether you are incorporating a new company or updating an existing company.
Our team can review the information and advise on the appropriate next steps.
Disclaimer: This article provides general information based on Singapore’s SSIC and ACRA requirements as at October 2026. Business classifications and regulatory requirements should be verified against the latest official guidance.