SSIC Codes for E-Commerce & Retail Businesses
Whether you sell on Shopee, run a Shopify store, or operate a physical retail outlet, Singapore's SSIC framework classifies your business by what you sell and how you sell it.
How Singapore Classifies Online vs Physical Retail
All retail trade in Singapore sits under Section G — Wholesale and Retail Trade. Within Section G, the critical distinction is between Division 46 (Wholesale Trade) and Division 47 (Retail Trade). If you sell to end consumers, you are in Division 47. If you sell to other businesses for resale, you are in Division 46.
ACRA introduced a specific code for online retail — 47919 (Retail Sale via Internet) — which covers businesses whose primary sales channel is an online platform. However, if you sell a specific product category (electronics, fashion, beauty), ACRA may expect you to use the product-specific retail code instead, with online retail as a secondary descriptor.
If you are setting up an e-commerce company in Singapore, Emerhub's company registration guide walks through the full ACRA incorporation process, including SSIC code selection.
Key principle: SSIC classification prioritises what you sell over how you sell it. A business selling electronics online is still an electronics retailer — the online channel is secondary to the product classification.
General E-Commerce & Online Retail
The catch-all code for online retailers selling multiple product categories. Use this if you operate a general e-commerce store on Shopify, Shopee, Lazada, or your own website and do not specialise in a single product category.
This code is appropriate for multi-category online stores. If your store is focused on a single product vertical — say, only fashion or only electronics — consider the product-specific codes listed below. ACRA expects the most specific code that accurately describes your principal activity.
Businesses selling digital products (software, digital art, online courses) may not belong under retail trade at all. Digital content businesses may be better classified under Section J (Information & Communications) or Division 62 for software. See our tech startup SSIC guide for details.
Physical Retail Store Codes by Product Type
Brick-and-mortar retail stores in Singapore are classified by their primary product category. Below are the most commonly used codes for physical retail operations:
Retail sale predominantly of food, beverages, and household goods. Covers everything from neighbourhood minimarts to large supermarket chains.
Retail sale of computers, peripherals, software, and consumer electronics. Covers IT shops at Sim Lim Square to Apple resellers.
Retail sale via stalls in markets, bazaars, or flea markets. Common for fashion, accessories, and artisanal products sold at weekend markets or pop-up events.
Wholesale vs Retail: A Critical Distinction
One of the most frequent classification errors for Singapore businesses is conflating wholesale and retail trade. The SSIC framework treats these as fundamentally different activities:
Selling goods to other businesses, institutions, or professional users. Includes import/export traders, B2B distributors, and supply chain intermediaries. See Division 46.
Selling goods directly to end consumers for personal or household use. Includes brick-and-mortar shops, online stores, and market stalls. See Division 47.
If your business does both, declare the larger revenue stream as your primary code. Many Singapore trading companies register a wholesale code as primary and a retail code as secondary. For detailed guidance on import/export trading, see our import/export SSIC guide. As your revenue grows, you will also need to understand GST registration obligations — Emerhub's GST guide covers the thresholds and requirements.
Dropshipping & Marketplace Sellers
Dropshipping businesses — where you take orders and a third-party supplier ships directly to your customer — are classified as retail trade, not logistics or tech. You are the retailer; the fact that you never handle inventory does not change the classification.
For most dropshippers selling a variety of products, 47919 (Retail Sale via Internet) is the appropriate code. If you exclusively dropship electronics, use the electronics retail code. The product category takes precedence.
Marketplace sellers on platforms like Shopee, Lazada, Amazon SG, or Carousell follow the same logic. You are the retailer, and your SSIC code should reflect what you sell, not the platform you sell on.
Omnichannel Businesses: Choosing Your Primary Code
Many Singapore retailers now operate both physical stores and online channels. When choosing your primary SSIC code, consider where the majority of your revenue comes from:
Majority online sales: Use 47919 as primary, with the product-specific physical retail code as secondary.
Majority in-store sales: Use the product-specific retail code (e.g., 47410 for electronics) as primary. Online retail becomes secondary.
Even split: Choose the code that best represents your brand identity and long-term direction. You can amend your SSIC later through BizFile+ if the balance shifts.
Popular Retail & E-Commerce SSIC Codes
| Code | Description | Common Use |
|---|---|---|
| 47919 | Retail Sale via Internet | General e-commerce stores |
| 47111 | Supermarkets & Grocery | Food retail, minimarts |
| 47410 | Computers & Electronics | IT retail, gadget shops |
| 47810 | Stalls & Markets | Pop-ups, bazaar sellers |
| 46xxx | Wholesale Trade | B2B, import/export |
Browse the complete Section G (Wholesale and Retail Trade) hierarchy for all available codes, or view all SSIC classifications.
Ready to Launch Your E-Commerce Business?
Emerhub handles company incorporation for online businesses in Singapore — from ACRA registration and SSIC code selection to corporate bank account opening. Get your e-commerce company set up properly from day one.