A Full List Of MSIC Codes For F&B Businesses

We’ve written a guide on the key function of Malaysia Standard Industrial Classification codes in registering a business and provided a full list of MSIC codes.

However, it’s a painfully long read – a bit like trying to escape one of Saw’s puzzles.

Since we love helping entrepreneurs, time to go a step further.

As F&B outlets are among the most popular types of small business in Malaysia, we’re listing MSIC codes specific to restaurants, food stalls, and other F&B businesses.

You’re welcome, and let’s begin!

Restaurants and mobile food service activities

Code	Category	Description
56101	Restaurants and Restaurant cum Night Clubs	Establishments serving meals and beverages, including nightclubs with dining options.
56102	Cafeterias/Canteens	Facilities offering self-service food and drink options, often within larger institutions.
56103	Fast-Food Restaurants	Quick-service outlets providing ready-to-eat food items.
56104	Ice Cream Truck Vendors and Parlours	Mobile vendors and parlours specializing in selling ice cream and frozen desserts.
56105	Mobile Food Carts	Portable stands or vehicles serving food items in various locations.
56106	Food Stalls/Hawkers	Small-scale food vendors operating from temporary stands or kiosks.
56107	Food or Beverage Preparation in Market Stalls/Hawkers	Vendors preparing and selling food or beverages in market settings.

Event catering / other food service activities

Code	Category	Description
56210	Event/Food Caterers	Businesses providing food and beverage services for events and gatherings.
56290	Other Food Service Activities	Miscellaneous food service activities not classified elsewhere.

Beverage serving activities

Code	Category	Description
56301	Pubs, Bars, Discotheques, Coffee Houses, Cocktail Lounges, and Karaoke	Venues offering alcoholic beverages, entertainment, and light snacks.
56302	Coffee Shops	Establishments serving coffee, tea, and light refreshments.
56303	Drink Stalls/Hawkers	Small vendors selling beverages from stalls or kiosks.
56304	Mobile Beverage Vendors	Portable stands or vehicles specializing in selling drinks.
56309	Other Drinking Places n.e.c.	Miscellaneous establishments serving drinks, not classified elsewhere.

Retail sale of food products

Code	Category	Description
47216	Retail Sale of Bakery Products and Sugar Confectionery	Stores specializing in selling baked goods such as bread, cakes, pastries, and sweet treats.
47217	Retail Sale of Mee, Kuey Teow, Mee Hoon, Wantan Skins, and Other Food Products Made from Flour or Soya	Outlets offering a variety of flour and soya-based products, including noodles and skins used in traditional dishes.
47219	Retail Sale of Other Food Products n.e.c.	Retailers selling diverse food items not categorised elsewhere.

Retail sale of beverages

Code	Category	Description
47221	Retail Sale of Beer, Wine, and Spirits	Specialised shops offering alcoholic beverages including beer, wine, and spirits.
47222	Retail Sale of Tea, Coffee, Soft Drinks, Mineral Water, and Other Beverages	Stores focused on selling a variety of non-alcoholic beverages.

Retail sale of tobacco

Code	Category	Description
47230	Retail Sale of Tobacco Products in Specialised Stores	Shops dedicated to selling tobacco products, including cigarettes, cigars, and related accessories.
47300	Retail Sale of Automotive Fuel in Specialised Stores	Service stations and stores specializing in the sale of automotive fuels, including gasoline and diesel.

Retail sale via stalls / markets

Code	Category	Description
47810	Retail Sale of Food, Beverages, and Tobacco Products via Stalls or Markets	Vendors selling food, drinks, and tobacco products from stalls or market locations.
47892	Retail Sale of Books via Stalls or Markets	Market vendors offering a range of books, including new and used titles.

Retail sale via mail order and the Internet

Code	Category	Description
47911	Retail Sale of Any Kind of Product by Mail Order	Businesses selling products through mail order catalogs and deliveries.
47912	Retail Sale of Any Kind of Product Over the Internet	Online retailers offering a wide range of products via e-commerce platforms.

Remember: you can pick three MSIC codes!

When incorporating a Sdn Bhd, a section in the Superform will ask for your ‘general nature of business’ – a summary of business activities.

This is done with two things:

1. Up to three MSIC codes, and
2. A long-form business description of up to 200 words

If your F&B outlet conducts a variety of business activities, choose three MSIC codes that best describe it collectively.

Then use the long-form description to fill in gaps the codes can’t adequately describe. 

Examples of MSIC codes + descriptions

We’ve helped incorporate quite a few types of businesses in the food and beverage sector, including those that deal in the retail and wholesale side of things.

Here are eight examples we hope can help you settle on MSIC codes and business description for your business.

Example 1 & 2: A typical restaurant, cafe or bar

Example 3: A bookstore / convenience store with a cafe

Example 4: A franchise / supplier of raw material to F&B outlets

Example 5: A restaurant, stall, or cafe selling cigarettes

Example 6: Retailers / wholesalers of food products / seafood

Example 7: A cafe or restaurant that also hosts events

If you still need help selecting the right combination of MSIC codes or writing a detailed business description, our team would love to help.

How much do restaurant licenses cost?

While each case should be evaluated individually, F&B outlets usually need these licenses:

• Composite License
• MOH Certificate
• Liquor License
• Music License, and
• Food Handling Training

As of 2024, these licenses can be obtained for well under RM10,000 in total.

Foreign owned restaurants will also need a Wholesale, Retail, and Trade (WRT) License which bumps the final cost to just over RM10,000.  

Let MISHU register your Sdn Bhd

Need help with selecting the right combination of MSIC codes or writing a detailed business description? Our team would love to be help – get in touch today!