MSIC codes in Malaysia: how to find yours
Written by the Lejar team
An MSIC code is a five-digit number from the Malaysia Standard Industrial Classification (MSIC 2008) that identifies what your business does. You meet it when registering a business with SSM and again in e-invoicing, where every e-invoice carries the supplier’s MSIC code. The codes below were verified against the official MyInvois SDK code table as of 20 August 2026.
What is an MSIC code?
MSIC stands for Malaysia Standard Industrial Classification, a national version of the international industrial classification published by the Department of Statistics Malaysia. Each five-digit code names one economic activity, from growing paddy to computer programming. The list used for e-invoicing, published in the MyInvois SDK code table, runs to more than 1,000 five-digit codes organised into 21 sections lettered A to U.
The code describes your principal business activity, not your company name or legal form. A restaurant company and a software company with the same structure carry different MSIC codes, and a company that changes what it does can end up with a code that no longer fits.
Where is your MSIC code used?
- SSM registration: when you register a business or company, you pick the business codes that describe your activities. SSM’s business codes are drawn from MSIC 2008.
- MyInvois e-invoicing: every e-invoice must carry the supplier’s MSIC code and a business activity description. Only the supplier’s side needs one; a buyer’s e-invoice details do not include an MSIC code.
- Statistics and licensing: government agencies use the same classification when they survey or license businesses by sector.
How do you find your MSIC code?
- Check your SSM registration: the business codes you chose at registration, shown on your SSM profile or annual return, are MSIC-based.
- Check the MyInvois portal: your taxpayer profile carries the MSIC code used for your e-invoices.
- Search the official list: the MyInvois SDK publishes the full MSIC code table at sdk.myinvois.hasil.gov.my, and you can search it by keyword for your activity.
- Ask your accountant or company secretary: they will have filed your codes with SSM and can confirm which one is your principal activity.
Common MSIC codes for Malaysian businesses
| MSIC code | Activity |
|---|---|
| 56101 | Restaurants and restaurant cum night clubs |
| 47912 | Retail sale of any kind of product over the Internet |
| 62010 | Computer programming activities |
| 69200 | Accounting, bookkeeping and auditing activities; tax consultancy |
| 73100 | Advertising |
| 96020 | Hairdressing and other beauty treatment |
| 49230 | Freight transport by road |
| 41009 | Construction of buildings n.e.c. |
The list also includes the code 00000, labelled Not Applicable, which the MyInvois system uses where no business classification applies. If none of the specific codes fits your situation, confirm with LHDN or your accountant before using it rather than guessing.
What if you run more than one business activity?
MSIC classifies by principal activity: the one that contributes the most to your business. A cafe that also sells beans online is still principally a cafe. If your activities have genuinely shifted, update your records with SSM and check that the MSIC code on your MyInvois profile still describes what you actually do, since that is the code your e-invoices will carry.
How does Lejar use your MSIC code?
Lejar stores your MSIC code and business activity description in your organisation’s e-invoice profile and places them on every e-invoice it submits for you, as the MyInvois format requires. E-invoicing in Lejar is live and free on every plan: appoint Iterate Ventures Sdn. Bhd. as your MyInvois intermediary in Settings, e-Invoice, and Lejar submits to LHDN directly.
Frequently asked questions
What is an MSIC code?
A five-digit code from the Malaysia Standard Industrial Classification (MSIC 2008) that identifies your principal business activity. It is used in SSM registration and appears on every e-invoice you issue.
Is an MSIC code required on an e-invoice?
Yes, on the supplier side. Every e-invoice must carry the supplier’s MSIC code and business activity description. The buyer’s details on an e-invoice do not include an MSIC code.
How many digits does an MSIC code have?
Five. The MyInvois system validates the format as a five-digit numeric code from the official list.
Where can I search the full MSIC code list?
The MyInvois SDK publishes the complete table at sdk.myinvois.hasil.gov.my under code tables. It lists more than 1,000 five-digit codes across 21 sections, A to U.
What is MSIC code 00000?
The official list includes 00000, labelled Not Applicable, for cases where no business classification applies. Confirm with LHDN or your accountant before using it, since your e-invoices carry whichever code your profile holds.
Are SSM business codes and MSIC codes the same thing?
SSM’s business codes are drawn from MSIC 2008. MyInvois accepts only the plain five-digit numeric form, so check that the code on your MyInvois profile is five digits and still matches your principal activity before it starts appearing on your e-invoices.