SIC Codes
SIC codes explained — UK guide (2026)
Updated 17 May 2026
A Standard Industrial Classification code is the 5-digit number Companies House uses to record what your business does. Every UK Limited Company needs at least one. Here's how to pick yours, with 40+ common codes by industry.
What is a SIC code?
SIC = Standard Industrial Classification. It's a 5-digit code from a fixed list published by the Office for National Statistics, last updated in 2007. Companies House uses it as a shorthand for “what kind of company is this”.
You pick up to four SIC codes on the IN01 form when incorporating, and you can update them through the Confirmation Statement at any time.
How to pick yours
- Open the full list at resources.companieshouse.gov.uk/sic.
- Find the section that best matches your industry.
- Pick the most specific code that fits — Companies House prefers specificity over the “Other” codes.
- Add 1-3 secondary codes if you do more than one thing.
- If genuinely nothing fits, use 96090 (Other service activities n.e.c.) or 82990 (Other business support activities n.e.c.).
Common UK SIC codes by industry
Food & drink — takeaway
- 56103 — Take-away food shops and mobile food stands
- 56102 — Unlicensed restaurants and cafés
- 56101 — Licensed restaurants
Food & drink — production
- 10890 — Manufacture of other food products n.e.c.
- 10710 — Manufacture of bread; fresh pastry goods and cakes
- 11050 — Manufacture of beer
Retail — physical
- 47190 — Other retail sale in non-specialised stores (corner shops)
- 47210 — Retail sale of fruit and vegetables in specialised stores
- 47711 — Retail sale of women's clothing
Retail — online
- 47910 — Retail sale via mail order houses or via Internet
- 47990 — Other retail sale not in stores, stalls or markets
Courier & transport
- 53202 — Unlicensed carriers (couriers, parcel delivery)
- 49410 — Freight transport by road
- 53201 — Licensed carriers (post-office adjacent)
Tradesmen — building
- 43210 — Electrical installation
- 43220 — Plumbing, heat and air-conditioning installation
- 43390 — Other building completion and finishing
- 43999 — Other specialised construction activities
IT & software
- 62012 — Business and domestic software development
- 62020 — Information technology consultancy activities
- 62090 — Other information technology service activities
Marketing & creative
- 73110 — Advertising agencies
- 70229 — Management consultancy activities other than financial management
- 74100 — Specialised design activities (graphic, fashion)
Legal & accountancy
- 69101 — Barristers at law
- 69102 — Solicitors
- 69201 — Accounting and auditing activities
- 69202 — Bookkeeping activities
Personal services
- 96020 — Hairdressing and other beauty treatment
- 96040 — Physical well-being activities (gyms, spas)
- 85510 — Sports and recreation education
Property
- 68100 — Buying and selling of own real estate
- 68209 — Other letting and operating of own or leased real estate
- 68310 — Real estate agencies
Catch-all
- 82990 — Other business support service activities n.e.c.
- 96090 — Other service activities n.e.c.
Changing your SIC code
You update SIC codes through your annual Confirmation Statement (CS01). When you file the CS01 there's a SIC codes section — you can add, remove, or replace freely. No separate form, no extra fee.
If you've mid-year pivoted and want to update without waiting, you can file a CS01 early — it resets the next due date by 12 months from the new filing date.
Why your SIC code actually matters
- Banking: banks risk-assess on SIC. Pick accurately; don't pick a misleading code to avoid scrutiny.
- Insurance: business insurance quotes depend on what your SIC code says you do.
- Statistics: the ONS aggregates SIC codes for the UK Business Population stats — your code contributes to industry-level data.
- Grants & tenders: some government schemes are restricted to companies in specific SIC ranges.
- VAT registration: when you register for VAT, HMRC uses your SIC to default your scheme eligibility (e.g. Flat Rate categories).
Once you've picked your codes, import your company into BahiKhata — we pull your codes from Companies House automatically and use them to tailor your category suggestions for expenses, suppliers, and tax planning.
Frequently asked
- Can I pick more than one SIC code?
- Yes — up to four. Companies House recommends choosing the one that best describes the principal activity first, then up to three secondary ones. Most SMEs use one or two.
- What if no SIC code fits my business?
- Use 96090 (Other service activities not elsewhere classified) or 82990 (Other business support service activities). These are the catch-alls.
- Can I change my SIC code later?
- Yes — you update SIC codes through the next Confirmation Statement (CS01). Free, no form needed beyond the CS01.
- Does my SIC code affect tax?
- No directly. Corporation Tax is based on profit, not industry. SIC codes are used by Companies House, the ONS (statistics), and sometimes lenders/insurers to understand what you do.
- Does my SIC code affect getting a business bank account?
- Yes — banks use them to risk-assess. Certain codes (cryptocurrency, money services, defence) trigger enhanced due diligence. Pick the most accurate code; don't pick a 'safer' one to avoid friction.
- What's the difference between a SIC code and a Companies House nature-of-business?
- They're the same thing — Companies House requires up to four SIC codes when you file IN01 or CS01.
- Can I look up another company's SIC code?
- Yes — every UK Ltd's SIC codes are public on find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk. Useful for comparing your code against competitors.
- Are SIC codes the same in the UK and US?
- No. The UK uses the 2007 SIC standard (5 digits). The US uses NAICS (6 digits). The codes don't map 1:1 between systems.