Saudi Arabia SSIC Group 161: Wood sawing and grinding

Saudi Standard Industrial Classification (SSIC 2026)
Classification Level: Group | Official Code: 161

Executive Summary & Classification Scope

SSIC code 161 designates Wood sawing and grinding (نشر الخشب وسحجه) under the official Saudi Standard Industrial Classification (January 2025 / 2026 Edition, based on UN ISIC Rev. 4) administered by the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT).

It serves as the mandatory regulatory benchmark for Commercial Registration (CR) with the Ministry of Commerce, MISA foreign investment licensing (allowing up to 100% foreign equity ownership), municipal permits on the Balady portal, and Nitaqat Saudization quota determinations by MHRSD.

Key Classification Facts

Parameter	Official Value
Saudi SSIC Code	`161`
Official Title (EN)	Wood sawing and grinding
Official Title (AR)	نشر الخشب وسحجه
Classification Level	Group
Section Category	Section C — Manufacturing
Parent Entity Code	`16` — Manufacture of woods, wood products and cork except furniture, kinds of straw and curling materials
Supervisory Authority	Ministry of Commerce / Standard Sectoral Regulator
Licensing Entity	Balady / Sector Ministry
Standard Custodian	General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT)
Edition / Version	SSIC 2025 / 2026 Edition

Sub-Classes in Group 161 (1)

Code	Title (EN)	Title (AR)	Details
`1610`	Wood sawing and grinding	نشر الخشب وسحجه	View Code 1610 →

Official 6-Digit Activity Codes in Group 161 (8 Codes)

Below are official economic activity codes registered under Group 161 for Commercial Registration (CR) and municipal licensing in Saudi Arabia:

6-Digit SSIC Code	Official Activity Title (EN)	Official Activity Title (AR)	Details
`161011`	Sawing and cutting raw wood	نشر وتقطيع الخشب الخام	View Activity 161011 →
`161012`	Manufacture of wooden railway sleepers	صناعة العوارض الخشبية للسكك الحديدية	View Activity 161012 →
`161013`	Wood slicing and cutting	تشريح وتقطيع الأخشاب	View Activity 161013 →
`161014`	Manufacture of wood wool and wood flour in form of particles as a primary activity	صناعة صوف ودقيق الخشب في شكل جسيمات كنشاط أولي	View Activity 161014 →
`161015`	Manufacture of firewood and Briquette	صناعة الحطب والفحم الصناعي	View Activity 161015 →
`161020`	Wood impregnation and processing chemically by preservatives	تشريب الخشب أو معالجته كيمائيا بمواد حافظه	View Activity 161020 →
`161030`	Production of kinds of sawdust	انتاج أنواع نشارة الخشب	View Activity 161030 →
`161040`	Manufacture of non-assembled wooden floors	صناعة الأرضيات الخشبية غير المجمعة	View Activity 161040 →

Regulatory & Business Setup Use Cases in Saudi Arabia

Ministry of Commerce (MC): Required on your Saudi Commercial Registration (CR) to legally define the company’s business activities.
Ministry of Investment (MISA): Determines eligibility for 100% foreign-owned investment licenses and capital requirements. See our MISA Licensing Guide.
ZATCA Taxation & Zakat: Activity categorization for Corporate Income Tax (20%), Zakat (2.5%), and 15% VAT filing rules. See our ZATCA Tax Guide.
MHRSD / Qiwa (Nitaqat Quotas): Determines the required percentage of Saudi national employees. Check our Nitaqat Saudization Guide.
Balady Municipal Licensing: Establishes commercial shop, office, and warehouse zoning compliance.

Compliance & Regulatory Risk Assessment

Assessment Factor	Verification Status	Regulatory Source / Evidence
Official GASTAT Registry	✅ Verified	Confirmed in official GASTAT SSIC January 2025 / 2026 release
ISIC Rev. 4 International Crosswalk	✅ Aligned	Standardized UN International Industrial Classification mapping
Commercial Registration (CR) Active	✅ Eligible	Available for immediate filing on Ministry of Commerce portal
MISA Foreign Investment Path	✅ Permitted	100% foreign equity eligible under MISA investment criteria
5-Tier Structural Hierarchy	✅ Complete	Full parent-child relationship verified from Section to Activity
Overall Regulatory Readiness Score	🟢 10 / 10	Low Compliance Risk / Ready for Commercial Setup

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What does Saudi SSIC code 161 cover?

SSIC 161 covers Wood sawing and grinding (نشر الخشب وسحجه) under Saudi Arabia’s official industrial classification system.

2. Which authority regulates activities under SSIC 161?

Activities under this code fall under the supervision of the Ministry of Commerce and respective sectoral regulators.

3. Can international investors establish a business with code 161?

Yes. In most sectors, the Ministry of Investment (MISA) permits 100% foreign equity ownership. Refer to our MISA Guide for full requirements.

4. How does SSIC 161 affect my company’s Nitaqat rating?

MHRSD calculates your Saudization tier based on your primary SSIC activity registered on your Commercial Registration.

Official Source Attribution & Disclaimer

Primary Data Source: General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) — National Classification for Economic Activities.

Commercial Portal: Ministry of Commerce (MC)

This page is an independent reference resource. Cross-verify critical licensing details on official government portals before filing commercial applications.