SSIC Codes for Food & Beverage Businesses
Singapore's F&B industry is one of the most regulated sectors. Your SSIC code determines which SFA licence category applies and affects your NEA and HDB tenancy eligibility.
Singapore's F&B Landscape and SSIC Classification
Food and beverage businesses in Singapore are primarily classified under Section I — Accommodation and Food Service Activities, specifically within Division 56 — Food and Beverage Service Activities. This division covers everything from hawker stalls to fine dining restaurants, bars, catering operations, and canteens.
However, not every food-related business falls under Division 56. If you manufacture food products (think: a central kitchen producing sauces for retail sale), you would be classified under Division 10 — Manufacture of Food Products. If you are a food wholesaler or distributor, your code sits under Section G (Wholesale and Retail Trade).
The distinction matters because SFA licensing categories, permitted premises types, and NEA environmental health requirements all reference your declared SSIC code. For a comprehensive overview of the setup process, see Emerhub's guide to setting up an F&B business in Singapore.
Restaurants, Cafes & Eating Houses
The restaurant category under Group 561 is broken into several sub-codes depending on your format. Getting this right affects your food shop licence type with SFA.
Full-service restaurants with table service. This includes fine dining, casual dining, and family restaurants. Requires an SFA food shop licence (restaurant category).
Establishments primarily serving beverages with light meals. Includes specialty coffee shops, bubble tea outlets, and dessert cafes. Many new F&B entrants in Singapore start here.
Operators of food courts, coffee shops (kopitiam), and eating houses. If you lease out stalls within your premises, this is the correct code for the premises operator.
Hawker Stalls & Food Court Tenants
Individual hawker stall operators and food court tenants have a distinct classification from the premises operator. If you are renting a stall inside a food court or hawker centre, your SSIC code depends on what you serve, but most stall operators register under a code within Division 56.
NEA-managed hawker centres require a separate hawker stall licence from SFA, and your declared business activity must match. The code 56103 is typically used for the individual stall operation within a food court or hawker centre setting.
Practical tip: If you are taking over an existing hawker stall through NEA's tender process, confirm the existing SSIC code on the tenancy agreement matches what you plan to register with ACRA. Mismatches can delay your licence approval.
Catering Services
Provision of food services at events, corporate functions, weddings, and other gatherings. This is separate from daily meal delivery services or institutional catering.
Catering businesses in Singapore need a catering licence from SFA, which is distinct from a standard food shop licence. The catering licence permits you to prepare food in a licensed central kitchen and transport it to event locations. If you also operate a dine-in restaurant, you would declare that as a secondary SSIC code under 56101.
Bars, Pubs & Nightlife
Licensed premises primarily serving alcoholic beverages. Includes craft cocktail bars, wine bars, and traditional pubs.
Entertainment venues with music, dancing, or karaoke. Subject to additional licensing from the Police Licensing and Regulatory Department (PLRD).
Alcohol-serving establishments face layered regulations. Beyond SFA food shop licensing, you need a liquor licence from Singapore Police Force. Premises operating past certain hours require a Public Entertainment Licence. Your SSIC code is a signal to these agencies.
Food Manufacturing & Processing
If your business produces food products for wholesale or retail distribution — rather than serving prepared meals to customers — you fall under Division 10 — Manufacture of Food Products. This includes businesses like:
- Central kitchens producing sauces, pastes, or condiments for retail sale
- Bakery operations producing packaged goods for supermarket distribution
- Meal prep companies manufacturing ready-to-eat meals at scale
- Snack and confectionery manufacturers
Food manufacturers need an SFA food processing establishment licence. If you also retail your products through your own storefront, consider adding a retail trade code (Division 47) as a secondary SSIC.
Food Delivery & Platform Businesses
The rise of food delivery platforms in Singapore has created classification questions. Here is how the SSIC framework handles different models:
A delivery-only kitchen preparing food for platforms like GrabFood or Deliveroo is still an F&B operation under Division 56. You still need an SFA food shop licence.
If you operate the technology platform connecting restaurants to delivery riders, that is a tech or logistics business, not F&B. Consider codes under Section J or transport logistics.
SFA Licensing Requirements by SSIC Code
The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) requires different licence types depending on your declared business activity. Below is a simplified mapping. For a broader overview of licensing requirements across industries, Emerhub's guide to Singapore business licences is a useful reference. Always confirm with SFA directly, as requirements change.
Starting an F&B Business in Singapore?
Emerhub specialises in helping food and beverage entrepreneurs set up in Singapore — from company incorporation and SSIC code selection to navigating SFA licensing requirements. Read their detailed F&B setup guide or search for the right SSIC code for your business.