ACRA Business Registration for Ecommerce in Singapore: Complete Guide

Your Shopee store is doing well. You have steady orders, repeat customers, and growing revenue. Now the question: is your business actually legal?

In Singapore, the answer depends on whether you have registered with ACRA (Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority). Under the Business Names Registration Act 2014, anyone carrying on business in Singapore must register, whether you sell from a marketplace, a website, or social media. ACRA registration through BizFile+ takes as little as 15 minutes and costs SGD 115 for a sole proprietorship.

This guide covers everything you need to register your ecommerce business with ACRA, from choosing the right business structure to setting up CorpPass for government e-services.

What Is ACRA Registration?

ACRA is the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority of Singapore. It is the national regulator of business entities, including sole proprietorships, partnerships, and companies. Every business operating in Singapore must be registered with ACRA.

For ecommerce sellers, ACRA registration is the gateway to legitimate business operations. Without it, you cannot open a business bank account with DBS, OCBC, or UOB, claim business expenses against your income, apply for government grants like the Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG), or enter into formal business contracts.

For a complete overview of registration options in Singapore, see our online business registration hub.

Registration is fast, but the structure you choose shapes your tax obligations, liability exposure, and growth potential for years to come.

What You Will Need

Before starting, gather these documents and details:

For sole proprietorship registration:

• SingPass account (with 2FA enabled)
• Proposed business name (or your own legal name)
• Business address — can be a residential address with HDB’s home office scheme approval if applicable
• Description of business activities — using SSIC codes
• Debit or credit card for payment

For Pte Ltd incorporation (additional requirements):

• At least one shareholder (can be the same person as the director)
• At least one Singapore-resident director (citizen, PR, or Employment Pass holder)
• Company secretary — must be appointed within 6 months of incorporation
• Registered office address — must be a physical address in Singapore (not a PO Box)
• Minimum paid-up capital — SGD 1 (no minimum capital requirement in practice)
• Company constitution (formerly Memorandum and Articles of Association)

Sole Proprietorship vs Pte Ltd: Which One Do You Need?

Choose sole proprietorship if: You are a Singapore citizen or PR, starting small, earning under SGD 100,000/year, and want minimal compliance overhead.

Choose Pte Ltd if: You plan to scale significantly, want liability protection, need government grant eligibility, have foreign co-founders, or expect annual revenue above SGD 200,000.

Singapore’s startup ecosystem heavily favours Pte Ltd companies. Government grants, bank credit facilities, and B2B partnerships typically require Pte Ltd status. If you see growth in your near future, starting as a Pte Ltd avoids the cost and paperwork of converting later.

How to Register with ACRA via BizFile+: Step by Step

Step 1: Log In to BizFile+

Go to bizfile.gov.sg and log in using your SingPass. If you do not have a SingPass account, register at singpass.gov.sg first. You will need to set up 2FA (two-factor authentication) before you can use BizFile+.

Once logged in, you will see the BizFile+ dashboard with options for different types of business registration.

Step 2: Apply for Business Name Approval

Navigate to “Apply for Business Name” under the sole proprietorship section (or “Incorporate a Company” for Pte Ltd).

Enter your proposed business name. ACRA will automatically check it against existing registered names and restricted words. The name application costs SGD 15 (included in the total registration fee).

Names will be rejected if they are:

• Identical to an existing registered entity
• Considered undesirable or offensive
• Contain restricted words (“bank,” “finance,” “insurance,” “law”) without relevant agency approval

Name approval is usually instant for straightforward names. Names requiring referral to other agencies (e.g., those containing “medical,” “education”) can take 14-60 days.

Have 2-3 backup names ready. Once approved, the name is reserved for 120 days.

Step 3: Complete the Registration Application

After name approval, complete the registration form:

• Business name — your approved name
• Business address — your operating address. If using a residential address, note that HDB flats require approval under the Home Office Scheme if you will have walk-in customers or employees. For pure online businesses operating from home, this is generally not an issue.
• SSIC code — select the most accurate Singapore Standard Industrial Classification code. For online retail, use 47912 (“Retail sale via internet”). Search the SSIC database for the best match.
• Commencement date — when the business started or will start operations
• Owner details — your personal information as it appears on your SingPass/NRIC

For Pte Ltd, you will also need to enter director details, shareholder information, share allocation, company constitution selection (model or customised), and company secretary details (can be appointed within 6 months, but it is easier to include at incorporation).

Step 4: Pay the Registration Fee

Review your application and proceed to payment:

• Sole proprietorship: SGD 115 (includes SGD 15 name application + SGD 100 registration)
• Pte Ltd incorporation: SGD 315 (includes SGD 15 name application + SGD 300 incorporation)

Pay by debit card, credit card, or PayNow. Save your payment confirmation.

Step 5: Receive Your Registration Confirmation

For sole proprietorships, ACRA typically processes the application within 15 minutes to a few hours. You will receive an email notification with your Unique Entity Number (UEN).

For Pte Ltd, processing takes 1-3 business days. Upon approval, you receive your UEN and can download your business profile from BizFile+.

Your UEN is your business identity in Singapore. You will use it for:

• Opening a business bank account
• Filing taxes with IRAS
• Registering for CorpPass
• Seller verification on Shopee, Lazada, and other marketplaces
• Applying for government grants

Step 6: Set Up CorpPass

After registration, set up CorpPass immediately. CorpPass is Singapore’s digital identity for businesses to access government e-services. You need it to:

• File taxes with IRAS
• Submit CPF contributions (if you hire employees)
• Apply for government grants via GoBusiness
• Access Customs permits for imports/exports

CorpPass registration is free. Log in at corppass.gov.sg using your SingPass and register your business entity using your UEN.

Step 7: Complete Post-Registration Requirements

Within the first 30-90 days after registration:

• Open a business bank account. DBS, OCBC, and UOB all offer business accounts. Sole proprietorships can open business savings accounts; Pte Ltd companies get corporate current accounts. Most banks require your ACRA business profile, UEN, and personal identification.

• Check GST registration obligations. If your taxable turnover exceeds or is expected to exceed SGD 1 million in 12 months, you must register for GST with IRAS. Read our GST registration guide for details.

• Appoint a company secretary (Pte Ltd only). You must appoint a qualified company secretary within 6 months of incorporation. Fees range from SGD 300-800/year for basic packages from corporate service providers like Sleek, Osome, or Aspire.

• Set up accounting. Even sole proprietors must maintain proper business records. Consider cloud accounting software like Xero (from SGD 22/month) or QuickBooks to keep your books organised from day one.

Pro Tips

• Use SSIC code 47912 (“Retail sale via internet”) as your primary business activity code. This is the most widely accepted code for ecommerce businesses and avoids questions from banks or IRAS about mismatched activities.

• Register with the right email. Use a business email ([email protected]) rather than a personal Gmail address. This looks more professional on your ACRA business profile, which is a public document accessible to anyone who searches your UEN.

• Do not skip CorpPass. Many new business owners delay CorpPass setup and then scramble when tax filing deadlines arrive. Set it up within the first week while registration details are fresh.

• Consider the Startup Tax Exemption (SUTE) for Pte Ltd. New companies in Singapore get a 75% tax exemption on the first SGD 100,000 of chargeable income and a 50% exemption on the next SGD 100,000, for the first three consecutive years. This effectively brings your tax rate to 4.25% on the first SGD 100K. Plan your incorporation timing accordingly.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Operating without registration. Under the Business Names Registration Act 2014, carrying on business without registration is an offence punishable by a fine of up to SGD 10,000 or imprisonment of up to 12 months. If ACRA discovers unregistered business activity, they can also prevent you from registering for 5 years.

• Choosing sole proprietorship to save SGD 200. The SGD 200 difference between sole proprietorship (SGD 115) and Pte Ltd (SGD 315) registration fees is negligible compared to the tax benefits, liability protection, and grant eligibility that Pte Ltd provides. If your business has any growth ambition, the Pte Ltd structure almost always pays for itself within the first year.

• Using a residential address without checking HDB rules. If you operate from an HDB flat, certain business activities require Home Office Scheme approval. Pure online businesses (no walk-in customers, no inventory storage exceeding personal use) are generally fine, but check HDB’s guidelines if you are doing anything beyond operating a laptop from your living room.

• Forgetting annual filing deadlines. Sole proprietorships must renew registration annually (SGD 30/year). Pte Ltd companies must file annual returns with ACRA within 30 days of their AGM and submit tax returns to IRAS by November 30 each year. Late filing penalties start from SGD 300 and can lead to striking off your company.

Next Steps

The difference between a hobby seller and a legitimate ecommerce business is about 15 minutes and SGD 115 on BizFile+. Registration gives you a UEN, access to business banking, and the foundation for everything that follows, from tax filing to government grants.

Go to bizfile.gov.sg, log in with SingPass, and start your application. If you are choosing Pte Ltd, factor in the SGD 300-800/year company secretary cost and set up CorpPass on the same day.

Once registered, your next step is understanding your tax obligations. Our guide on GST registration for ecommerce companies in Singapore explains the SGD 1 million threshold and when voluntary registration makes sense. For sellers also operating in Malaysia, our SSM registration guide covers the Malaysian equivalent.

This guide covers general information about ACRA business registration for ecommerce in Singapore. Regulations may change. Verify current requirements at acra.gov.sg or consult a qualified corporate service provider for your specific situation. Last verified: March 2026.