SSIC 2025: A Practical Guide for Singapore Businesses

The Singapore Standard Industrial Classification (SSIC) is a five‑digit code assigned to every distinct economic activity in the country. It is curated by the Department of Statistics and refreshed periodically to mirror shifts in the economy:

• Business registration with ACRA
• Statistical and regulatory reporting
• Government surveys and grant assessments
• Tracking sector performance and trends

The SSIC 2025, aligns with the United Nations’ ISIC Rev. 5 framework while adding fresh categories for areas such as climate technology, cybersecurity and digital platforms

The SSIC code is essential in Singapore for business for:

• Company registration: ACRA will not complete incorporation until you declare a primary SSIC code.
• Regulatory & grant eligibility: Some licences, tax incentives and grants are limited to firms tagged with specific codes.
• Economic reporting: Government surveys and industry benchmarks rely on SSIC data to compare apples to apples across sectors.
• International comparability: Because SSIC tracks ISIC, your activity is instantly recognisable in cross‑border datasets.

To assist with your business incorporation in Singapore, we require you to select the appropriate SSIC code for your primary business activity. This information is essential for submission to the BizFile portal. 

*A mis–classified business can face delays in licensing or miss out on targeted assistance schemes, so invest the extra few minutes up‑front.

Here are some tips on choosing the right SSIC code:

• Pin down your principal activity: Identify the activity that — today, not in the distant future — drives the most revenue or value.
• Search the official listings: Use the searchable PDF or alphabetical index on SingStat’s SSIC 2025 page.
• Read the full definition (and exclusions)  Many codes look similar. Always confirm the scope notes to avoid miscoding.
• Choose a secondary code (optional):  If a second activity contributes materially, ACRA allows you to register it as well.
• When the activity is novel, get advice: Corporate service providers or sector regulators can help match emerging models (e.g., Web‑3, carbon trading) to the nearest code.

Here are some other handy resources you can take a look at:

• Detailed Definitions & Alphabetical Index – downloadable from the same SingStat page; ideal for keyword searches – singstat.gov.sg 
• Correspondence tables – map SSIC 2025 to SSIC 2020 or ISIC Rev. 5 for legacy filings or global studies – singstat.gov.sg

Selecting the correct SSIC code is more than a formality— it shapes your compliance obligations, funding prospects and how your firm is benchmarked against the wider economy. Use the step‑by‑step checklist above, verify against SingStat’s detailed definitions, and when in doubt, consult a professional. With the right code locked in, the rest of your incorporation (and future reporting) will flow much more smoothly.

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Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal, regulatory, tax, financial, or professional advice. While Berru.co endeavours to ensure that the information presented is accurate and up to date at the time of publication, laws and regulations — including those applicable in Singapore — may change and may vary depending on jurisdiction and individual circumstances.

Readers should conduct their own independent due diligence and seek appropriate professional advice from qualified advisers before making any business, legal, or financial decisions.