How to Find Your SIC Code in South Africa - Complete 2020-2026 Guide

Every business operating in South Africa needs a Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code. Whether you are registering a new company with CIPC, filing your annual tax return with SARS, or claiming the Employment Tax Incentive (ETI), the correct SIC code is essential. This guide walks you through the entire process.

What Is a SIC Code?

A SIC code is a 5-digit number that classifies your business according to its primary economic activity. South Africa uses the SIC 7th Edition, which was introduced by Statistics South Africa in 2012 and is based on the United Nations' International Standard Industrial Classification (ISIC) Revision 4. The system organises all economic activities into 21 sections (labelled A through U), 88 divisions, and over 500 individual subclasses.

For example, if you run a restaurant, your SIC code would be 56101 (Food service activities of take away counters) or 56109 (Other restaurant and mobile food service activities). A construction company building houses would use 41001 (Construction of residential buildings).

Why Your SIC Code Matters

Your SIC code is not just an administrative formality. It determines several important outcomes for your business:

CIPC Registration: When you register a company, close corporation, or co-operative with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission, you must select a SIC code that describes your main business activity. This code appears on your company registration documents and is used by government agencies to classify your business.

SARS Tax Filing: The South African Revenue Service uses your SIC code on the ITR14 (company income tax return) to classify your business. The code you enter on your tax return should match your CIPC registration. SARS also uses SIC codes to determine sector-specific tax obligations and benchmarks.

SETA Allocation: Your SIC code determines which Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) your business falls under. This affects your Skills Development Levy (SDL) payments and the training grants you can claim. The SETA allocation was published in Government Gazette No. 42589 on 22 July 2019.

ETI Eligibility: The Employment Tax Incentive is a wage subsidy for employers who hire young workers (aged 18-29). However, businesses in certain SIC codes - primarily in the public administration sector (Section O) - are excluded from claiming ETI. Knowing your SIC code tells you instantly whether you qualify.

Step 1: Identify Your Main Business Activity

Before searching for a code, clearly define what your business does as its primary activity. This means the activity that generates the most revenue. If your business has multiple activities, choose the one that contributes the largest share of turnover.

For example, a company that manufactures furniture and also sells it retail should classify under manufacturing (SIC 31000) if manufacturing generates more revenue, or under retail (SIC 47591) if retail sales dominate.

Step 2: Search the SIC Code Database

Use the ZA Codes SIC Code Index to browse all 21 sections and find your code. You can also use the search function on our homepage to type keywords related to your business activity.

Alternatively, you can browse by industry sector on our Industry Pages, which group SIC codes by common business categories like construction, mining, retail, IT, healthcare, and more.

Step 3: Choose the Most Specific Code

Always select the most specific (5-digit) code available. For instance, do not use a generic code like 47110 (Retail sale in non-specialised stores) if your store specialises in clothing - use 47610 (Retail sale of clothing, footwear and leather articles) instead.

If you cannot find an exact match, look for codes ending in 0 or 9, which typically represent "other" or "not elsewhere classified" categories within a group.

Step 4: Verify Your Code

Once you have selected a code, verify it by checking:

| The code description matches your business activity
| The section and division make sense for your industry
| The ETI eligibility status is correct for your needs
| The SETA allocation matches your expectations

Step 5: Use Your Code

Enter your chosen 5-digit SIC code on your CIPC registration form, your SARS ITR14 return, and any other government forms that require it. Keep the code consistent across all documents. If your business activity changes significantly, you may need to update your SIC code with both CIPC and SARS.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using an outdated SIC 5 code: South Africa transitioned from SIC Edition 5 to SIC Edition 7 in 2012/2013. If you are using a code from the old system, you need to convert it. Use our SIC 5 to SIC 7 Crosswalk to find the equivalent.

Choosing a code based on your job title: SIC codes classify business activities, not occupations. For occupation classification, use the Organising Framework for Occupations (OFO) instead.

Using a parent company's SIC code: Each business entity should have its own SIC code based on its own primary activity, even if it is a subsidiary.

Quick Reference: Popular SIC Codes

Here are some of the most commonly used SIC codes in South Africa: