Malaysia
The SSM number on your invoices: format and the rules
Every Malaysian company and registered business must show its SSM registration number on invoices. The 12-digit format, old numbers, and where it goes.
Last updated · Invoice Native team
Quick answer
Malaysian companies and registered businesses must show their SSM registration number on invoices and business documents. Since October 2019 it has 12 digits: the year of registration, a 2-digit entity type (01 company, 03 business, 04 LLP) and a 6-digit serial number, like 201901012345.
- 12 digits: year (4), entity type (2), serial number (6).
- 01 local company, 02 foreign company, 03 business, 04 LLP.
- Older numbers like 1234567-X are often printed in brackets after the new one.
- Required for companies, partnerships and sole proprietorships alike.
Every company and registered business in Malaysia has a registration number from the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM). It has to be on your invoices.
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Who must show it
- Companies (Sdn. Bhd. and Bhd.): the Companies Act 2016 requires a company's name and registration number on its business letters, invoices, official notices and website.
- Sole proprietorships and partnerships registered under the Registration of Businesses Act: the registration number must appear on their business documents too.
- Limited liability partnerships (PLT): the LLP Act has the same requirement.
The 12-digit format
Since 11 October 2019, SSM numbers have 12 digits:
| Part | Digits | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | 4 | 2019 | Year of registration |
| Entity type | 2 | 01 | 01 local company, 02 foreign company, 03 business, 04 LLP |
| Serial number | 6 | 012345 | Running number |
So 201901012345 is a local company registered in 2019. The SSM number decoder reads one for you.
Old numbers
Businesses registered before 2019 also have an old number, like 1234567-X for a company or 001234567-A for a business. Many print both: 201901012345 (1234567-X). Customers with older records, banks and suppliers recognise either.
SSM number, TIN and SST number
They're three different numbers:
- SSM registration number — identifies the business; on every invoice.
- Tax identification number (TIN) — from LHDN, for income tax and e-invoicing (like C20880050010).
- SST registration number — from Customs, only once registered for Service Tax or Sales Tax (like W10-1808-32000001).
Invoice Native has a field for each: your SSM number and SST number under your business, your customer's TIN under theirs.
A worked example
Bukit Bintang Digital Sdn. Bhd., registered in 2019, prints under its name: "SST No. W10-1808-32000001 · SSM No. 201901012345". A Shah Alam sole proprietorship that isn't registered for SST prints only "SSM No. 202403123456".
Common mistakes
- A personal IC number instead. Use the business's SSM number, never your MyKad number.
- A partly typed number. Check all 12 digits against your SSM information.
- The old number alone. Show the 12-digit one; the old one can go in brackets.
- An expired registration. A sole proprietorship's registration must be renewed; invoicing under an expired one is a problem in itself.
On your website and documents
The Companies Act 2016 also requires a company's name and registration number on its website, business letters, order forms and official notices, not just invoices. SSM has reminded businesses that this includes websites and online shop pages. A footer line like "Bukit Bintang Digital Sdn. Bhd. (201901012345)" covers it.
When your number changes
A sole proprietorship that converts into a Sdn. Bhd. gets a new SSM number for the company, starting with its year of incorporation and entity type 01. From the company's start date, invoice under the company's name and number, and tell your customers. Invoices issued before the change keep the old business's number.
Registering a business
If you trade under a name other than your own, register it with SSM before you invoice. Registration is quick online through EzBiz, and the business registration must be renewed every one to five years. A sole proprietor's registration number shows entity type 03.
Checking a customer or supplier
Before you do business with a new company, search its name or number on SSM's e-Search. It shows whether the company exists, its status and its registered address. For e-invoicing and tax, you may also need your customer's TIN, which you can ask them for or look up through LHDN's MyTax services.
Foreign companies
A foreign company registered in Malaysia to do business here has entity type 02 in its SSM number, like 202002012345. Its Malaysian invoices show that number, and usually its home-country registration too. Invoice Native prints the SSM number; add the home registration in your notes if your customers need it.
Getting it right in Invoice Native
Invoice Native requires an SSM number from every Malaysian business type — enterprise, partnership, PLT and company — checks that it has 12 digits with a valid year and entity type, and prints it on every invoice, quotation, credit note and debit note.
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Frequently asked questions
Where do I find my SSM number?
On your SSM certificate or business information, or by searching your business on SSM's e-Search. Since October 2019 every entity has a 12-digit number.
Is my SSM number my tax number?
No. The SSM number identifies your business; your tax identification number (TIN) comes from LHDN, and your SST registration number from Customs.
Should I still show the old number?
It's common and helpful to show it in brackets after the new one, like 201901012345 (1234567-X), so customers with older records recognise you.
Do freelancers have an SSM number?
Only if they've registered a business with SSM. Freelancers who trade under their own name without registering don't, but most who use a business name must register.
Sources
This guide is general information, not tax or legal advice. LHDN and Customs rules change and depend on your situation, so check hasil.gov.my and mysst.customs.gov.my or ask a licensed tax agent.