Business activities

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) use Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes to categorise all businesses registering for VAT.

The search allows you to find a description that matches the activities of the business. You can add up to 4 activities but will need to indicate which one is the main business activity.

HMRC will match the main business activity description provided against the SIC 2007 list to identify the correct SIC code for national statistical purposes.

The SIC code description will appear on the VAT certificate. For example, if 'Installation of suspended ceilings' is selected as the description of the main business activity then 'Joinery installation' will appear on the VAT certificate.