What is My SIC Code? How to Find Your Company SIC Code

Your SIC code — Standard Industrial Classification code — is used to define your company’s economic activity. Consisting of five numbers, a SIC code helps to identify what exactly it is your company sells and provides to consumers.

You will need to locate your SIC code if you want to register a business or change your services.

Why Do You Need to Find Your SIC Code?

When you register with Companies House, you must select a SIC code for your business. This is a requirement of UK incorporation for data management purposes. Companies House and other official UK governing offices use SIC codes as methods of tracking economic and business progression, emerging markets, struggling industries and more.

If you do not use a recognised SIC code in your registration, your application will be rejected.

What Happens if I Don’t Use the Right SIC Code?

Mismatched SIC codes — for example, using an agricultural SIC code for a healthcare business — will likely mean your company is flagged for "inconsistencies" by Companies House. If you fail to resolve any inconsistencies, you are committing a legal offence, which means you and all officers of the business are liable for legal action, including fines and penalties. Your business will also be publicly marked, so others can see you’ve not been conforming to government regulations.

SIC codes are also available for public record. This means they can affect your ability to acquire certain financial support or access certain services, like insurance policies. Service providers can use your SIC code as a way of evaluating your business. So choose the wrong SIC code and you can harm your ability to get insurance or financial investments.

Can I Change My SIC Code If I Found the Wrong One?

If you believe you have found the wrong SIC code, and need to change it, you can update Companies House and inform them of the change. There will be no penalty or action taken against you for changing your SIC code.

How to Search Your Company’s SIC Code

To find your SIC code, you must use the condensed SIC code list compiled by Companies House.

The list contains over 700 potential economic activities for your business, split across 21 industry categories. The best way to find your SIC code is to look at the industries available, find the one that is most appropriate to your business, and then search companies by sic code within the category for the economic activity that best corresponds to your business.

There is a search feature available on the Companies House website. However, beware of searching using this feature and missing better opportunities that could be found through a review of the full list.

If your company is dormant, you must use the 99999 SIC code. If your company is not trading, you must use the non-trading 74990 SIC code.

Expert Tip: To find your ideal SIC code, you should dedicate ample time to reviewing all relevant options. This includes all potentially relevant industries and economic activities until you have the best possible choice. Do not rush the process.

How Many SIC Codes Will You Need to Find?

Most businesses will only need one SIC code. SIC code descriptions are usually broad enough to cover all the products and services you’ll offer. If you are a complex business, however, offering a variety of end products, then you may need to select multiple SIC codes.

Example: A business in healthcare that offers both treatments and conducts products sales will need two SIC codes for both economic activities.

You can use up to four SIC codes.

Note that using multiple SIC codes can change the way you interact with service providers like financial support services.

Need help finding the right SIC Code for your new company? Register your business with Mint Formations today, and we’ll support you every step of the way, including advice on SIC Codes.

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