Saudi Arabia SSIC Group 521: storage

Saudi Standard Industrial Classification (SSIC 2026)
Classification Level: Group | Official Code: 521

Executive Summary & Classification Scope

SSIC code 521 designates storage (التخزين) 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	`521`
Official Title (EN)	storage
Official Title (AR)	التخزين
Classification Level	Group
Section Category	Section H — Transportation and storage
Parent Entity Code	`52` — Warehousing and support activities for transportation
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 521 (1)

Code	Title (EN)	Title (AR)	Details
`5210`	storage	التخزين	View Code 5210 →

Official 6-Digit Activity Codes in Group 521 (22 Codes)

Below are official economic activity codes registered under Group 521 for Commercial Registration (CR) and municipal licensing in Saudi Arabia:

6-Digit SSIC Code	Official Activity Title (EN)	Official Activity Title (AR)	Details
`521011`	Operation of storage facilities for all types of goods except food	تشغيل مرافق التخزين لجميع أنواع البضائع باستثناء المواد الغذائية	View Activity 521011 →
`521012`	Loading and unloading of goods	خدمات شحن وتفريق السلع بصفة عامة	View Activity 521012 →
`521014`	Container handling services	خدمات مناولة الحاويات	View Activity 521014 →
`521021`	Refrigerated food stores	مخازن المواد الغذائية المبردة	View Activity 521021 →
`521022`	Animal food and feed stores	مخازن أغذية وأعلاف الحيوانات	View Activity 521022 →
`521023`	Medical Devices warehouse activities	مخازن الأجهزة والمنتجات الطبية	View Activity 521023 →
`521024`	cosmetics warehouse	مخازن مستحضرات التجميل	View Activity 521024 →
`521025`	Pharmaceutical warehouse	مخازن المستحضرات الصيدلانية	View Activity 521025 →
`521031`	Lubricant stores	مخازن زيوت التشحيم	View Activity 521031 →
`521032`	Chemical stores	مخازن المواد الكيميائية	View Activity 521032 →
`521033`	Hygiene stores	مخازن مواد النظافة	View Activity 521033 →
`521034`	Tire stores	مخازن إطارات السيارات	View Activity 521034 →
`521035`	Cardboard and plastic products stores	مخازن المنتجات الكرتونية والبلاستيكية	View Activity 521035 →
`521036`	Battery stores	مخازن البطاريات	View Activity 521036 →
`521091`	Frozen food stores	مخازن المواد الغذائية المجمدة	View Activity 521091 →
`521092`	Storage in warehouses of grain silos, flour and agricultural products	التخزين في مستودعات صوامع الغلال والدقيق والمنتجات الزراعية	View Activity 521092 →
`521093`	Public storages with a variety of goods	المخازن العامة التي تضم مجموعة متنوعة من السلع	View Activity 521093 →
`521094`	Fuel and chemicals warehouses	مخازن الوقود والمواد الكميائية	View Activity 521094 →
`521095`	Furniture and wood warehouses	مخازن الأثاث والأخشاب	View Activity 521095 →
`521096`	Motor vehicles warehouses	مخازن السيارات	View Activity 521096 →
`521097`	Storage of goods in foreign trade zones	التخزين في الموانىء والمناطق الجمركية أوالحرة	View Activity 521097 →
`521098`	Dry food stores	مخازن المواد الغذائية الجافة	View Activity 521098 →

Commercial Business Types Operating in Group 521

Business Type	Arabic Name	Primary Code	Industry Sector	Guide
Cold storage facility	تشغيل مرافق التخزين لجميع أنواع البضائع باستثناء المواد الغذائية	`521011`	Transportation	Setup Guide →
Self storage facility	تشغيل مرافق التخزين لجميع أنواع البضائع باستثناء المواد الغذائية	`521011`	Transportation	Setup Guide →
Storage facility	تشغيل مرافق التخزين لجميع أنواع البضائع باستثناء المواد الغذائية	`521011`	Transportation	Setup Guide →
Warehouse	تشغيل مرافق التخزين لجميع أنواع البضائع باستثناء المواد الغذائية	`521011`	Transportation	Setup Guide →

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 521 cover?

SSIC 521 covers storage (التخزين) under Saudi Arabia’s official industrial classification system.

2. Which authority regulates activities under SSIC 521?

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 521?

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 521 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.