Understanding the 12-Digit Registration Number SSM: Everything You Need to Know

Upon business registration in Malaysia, arguably the most significant identifier that will be issued is the 12-digit registration number by SSM or (Suruhanjaya Syarikat Malaysia). The number itself is not a random sequence, this is a special corporate identity number which is key in business operations, legal compliance, tax, bank, and credibility checks.

In this article, we will be looking at all there is to know about the SSM registration number that is the 12-digit number on the top, how they are used, what their structure is and how to verify and retrieve registration numbers as you must be well informed of this important business identifier within Malaysia.

What is a 12 Digit SSM Registration Number?

The 12-digit SSM registration number is a simple business registration number assigned by the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM) to all businesses, enterprises, and limited liability partnerships registered in accordance with the regulation of the Malaysian law.

As part of the effort to streamline and computerize the tracking of business registrations across agencies, SSM has since 2019 made its registration uniformly structured into a 12-digit number.

The Structure of the SSM 12-Digit Registration Number

The 12-digit number is in a standardized format as shown below:

Where:

• YYYY: The year in which business is registered.
• NNNNNN: A special sequential code to every business.
• XX: Another code representing a business entity as an indication of type of registration.

Some Entity Codes (XX) are:

This structure creates a business structure with no identical number among the businesses and this makes it easy to be knowledgeable to the authorities, partners and the customer to confirm legitimacy.

Finding Your 12-Digit SSM Number

After a business has been registered successfully, the SSM provides the registration certificate, where it will show clearly the twelve digit registration number. This number under consideration can be retrieved also:

• Log In to MySSM Portal.
• Going to SSM e-Info and searching the name of business.
• Verification of any official communication, business profile documents published by SSM.

What Is the Significance of the 12 Digit SSM Registration Number?

A registered business has the SSM number which is the legal backbone of this business. It is mandated to:

• Establishing commercial bank accounts
• Trying through grant or tender application to government
• To sign up e-Invoice with LHDN
• Registering proper receipts and bills
• Songs with the customers or the suppliers
• Signing up with internet extensions, such as Lazada, or Shopee, or Grab
• Third parties objectively determining legal existence

Where this number lacks, no business is able to establish the legitimacy in any official sense.

Confirming a Business with the 12 digit SSM number

To be sure that you are transacting with a registered business, make a quick check on SSM using the 12 digit number in these steps:

• See SSM e-Info
• Key in 12-digit registration number in the search box.
• Verify the name, nature and status of the business.

Banks, procurement officers and prospective business partners mostly utilize this method to find out whether a business is active or not.

Movement of Old SSM Numbers into 12-digits Formats

Prior to the formulation of the 12-digit format, the SSM numbers were shorter and differentiated according to type of entity. For instance:

• A sole-proprietorship may have been: 1234567-X
• A sole proprietorship: 123456-A

These formats have now been replaced officially. Since 2019, new 12-digit numbers were obtained by all active companies and businesses. Nonetheless, the legacy forms will continue to be used at the time of transition in demographic verification.

Important Note:

To maintain consistency in documentation and compliance, all businesses that were registered prior to 2019 is encouraged to download the new 12 digit number through SSM e-Info.

Daily Business Operation via SSM Registration Number

On any business verbal or written communication, the SSM registration number should be clearly indicated:

• Invoices
• Letterheads
• Websites
• Email signatures
• Formal advertising-documents

This does not only increase the credibility relating to the business but also satisfies the need of the regulation especially the SSM Act 2001 and the Companies Act 2016.

What happens when you work without an SSM number?

It is against the law to conduct a business in Malaysia without the registration by SSM. Entrepreneurs can experience:

• Fines up to RM50,000
• Imprisonment of up 2 years
• Holding of business rolled up assets
• Bar to any further registration

These penalties affect local citizens and foreigners doing businesses in Malaysia without proper business registration.

Applying to an SSM Number

Steps to registering 12-digit SSM registration number If you do not already possess a 12-digit SSM registration number, please do the following to get registered:

As in Sole Proprietorship or Partnership (ROBA)

1. Check out ezBiz Online.
2. Register and confirm identity at SSM, office or kiosk.
3. Give name of business and details of the owner and pay registration fee (rm30-rm60).
4. approve in seconds to get 12-digit number.

In the case of Sdn. Bhd. or Berhad (ROC)

1. Log in MyCoID portal.
2. Books a company name.
3. Take preparations of incorporation documents (Form 9, 24, 49).
4. Apply and pay (~RM1,000+).
5. Upon approval, your 12-digit number will be given in the registration certificate.

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