SIC 46
Wholesalers and distributors of every product range, cash and carry, importers and exporters, and agents who sell on commission: for manufacturers looking for distribution partners, logistics and software providers, and buyers who need UK suppliers.
Our UK dataset holds 2,676,396 records (as at 4 November 2026); they are not yet assigned to industries. The quote states the size available for this industry.
Export of the whole industry: £349 (full price). Selections by nation, postcode area or your own filters are quoted on request.
Official statistics: 100,850 businesses in the UK according to ONS, UK business: activity, size and location 2026 (enterprises in March 2026, published 24 September 2026). Division 46 wholesale trade, except of motor vehicles and motorcycles, including agents involved in the sale of goods (46.1). This is the size of the market, not the size of our dataset.
The industry is division 46 of UK SIC 2007 (wholesale trade, except of motor vehicles and motorcycles), including agents involved in the sale of goods (46.1), who sell for others without owning the goods.
Importers have no code of their own: the ONS index lists them as wholesalers of what they import, clothing importers under 46.42 for example. Motor parts wholesale is in division 45 and therefore in Motor trade and garages.
| UK SIC 2007 | Official title | For your selection |
|---|---|---|
| 46.1 | Wholesale on a fee or contract basis | sales agents, by product range |
| 46.3 | Wholesale of food, beverages and tobacco | food and drink wholesalers, cash and carry (46.39) |
| 46.4 | Wholesale of household goods | textiles, clothing, electricals, pharmaceutical goods (46.46) |
| 46.6 | Wholesale of other machinery, equipment and supplies | machinery, machine tools, office equipment |
| 46.7 | Other specialised wholesale | fuels, metals, building materials (46.73), plumbing and heating (46.74) |
| 46.90 | Non-specialised wholesale trade | wholesalers without a main range |
Companies must disclose who they are, and HMRC lets you check their numbers one at a time.
These 15 columns are included.
The groups of division 46 follow the product range. A building materials manufacturer needs 46.73, a drinks producer 46.34, narrowed to 46.34/2 for wine, beer and spirits. Class 46.90 holds wholesalers without a main range and is of little use for targeted outreach.
Many manufacturers sell straight to retailers and keep their manufacturing code. Agents in 46.1 often represent several manufacturers; which ones shows on their website, not in the code.
Wholesalers trading as limited companies or LLPs are corporate subscribers under PECR reg. 2: a marketing email needs no prior consent if you name yourself and give a valid opt-out address (reg. 23). Sole-trader agents count as individuals. Screen numbers against the TPS and Corporate TPS before calling.
Example request: we make floor coverings and are looking for wholesalers in SIC 46.73 and agents in 46.13 in England and Scotland with a website and a company number, for a postal mailing with a distribution offer. How many records is that?
Use cases
Wholesalers and agents for one range as distribution partners.
Find UK suppliers for a tender.
Wholesalers in a region as storage customers.
Gauge the market per group and nation.
Questions
Where a record carries a UK SIC code (from the Companies House match, which is in progress), yes: group 46.1. Otherwise we select by business category and name on request; the quote states how precise the selection is. Its classes follow the goods sold, from agricultural raw materials (46.11) to a variety of goods (46.19).
Yes, classified as wholesalers of the goods they import; “import” is not a UK SIC code. Whether a firm imports shows on its website.
Companies and LLPs, yes, without prior consent, if you identify yourself and include an opt-out. Sole traders need consent or a soft opt-in, and addresses naming a person fall under UK GDPR. Details: PECR rules for B2B email and calls.
100,850 businesses in the UK according to ONS, UK business: activity, size and location 2026 (enterprises in March 2026, published 24 September 2026). Division 46 wholesale trade, except of motor vehicles and motorcycles, including agents involved in the sale of goods (46.1). This is a figure from official statistics, not the size of our dataset.
Format, sources, price and marketing law (PECR, TPS screening): questions about all industries.
