NAICS Codes 31-33: SBA MARC Eligibility Guide

The SBA MARC program offers up to $5 million in working capital exclusively for U.S. manufacturers—but eligibility starts with one critical requirement: your business must operate under a NAICS code in sectors 31, 32, or 33. This comprehensive guide explains exactly which businesses qualify, how to verify your NAICS code, and what additional requirements you'll need to meet.

What Are NAICS Codes and Why Do They Matter?

NAICS (North American Industry Classification System) codes are 6-digit numbers that classify every business in the United States by industry. The first two digits identify the sector—and for MARC eligibility, those first two digits must be 31, 32, or 33, which encompass all manufacturing industries.

The SBA uses NAICS codes to determine program eligibility and size standards. For MARC loans specifically, your primary business activity must be manufacturing. If manufacturing is secondary to another activity (like retail or distribution), you likely won't qualify.

Complete List of Eligible Manufacturing Sectors

All three manufacturing sectors—31, 32, and 33—qualify for MARC financing. Here's the complete breakdown of eligible subsectors:

Sector 31: Food, Beverage, Apparel & Leather Products

• 311 - Food Manufacturing (bakeries, meat processing, dairy, snack foods, beverages)
• 312 - Beverage and Tobacco Product Manufacturing (breweries, wineries, distilleries)
• 313 - Textile Mills (fiber, yarn, fabric production)
• 314 - Textile Product Mills (carpet, curtain, bag manufacturing)
• 315 - Apparel Manufacturing (clothing, accessories)
• 316 - Leather and Allied Product Manufacturing (footwear, luggage, leather goods)

Sector 32: Paper, Printing, Chemicals, Plastics & Minerals

• 321 - Wood Product Manufacturing (sawmills, millwork, wood containers)
• 322 - Paper Manufacturing (pulp, paper, paperboard products)
• 323 - Printing and Related Support Activities (commercial printing, bookbinding)
• 324 - Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing (refineries, asphalt, lubricants)
• 325 - Chemical Manufacturing (pharmaceuticals, paints, fertilizers, plastics resins)
• 326 - Plastics and Rubber Products Manufacturing (plastic packaging, tires, hoses)
• 327 - Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing (glass, cement, ceramics, concrete)

Sector 33: Metals, Machinery, Electronics & Transportation

• 331 - Primary Metal Manufacturing (steel mills, aluminum production, foundries)
• 332 - Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (metal stamping, machining, coating)
• 333 - Machinery Manufacturing (industrial equipment, HVAC, engines)
• 334 - Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing (semiconductors, communications equipment)
• 335 - Electrical Equipment and Appliance Manufacturing (motors, batteries, lighting)
• 336 - Transportation Equipment Manufacturing (automobiles, aerospace, shipbuilding)
• 337 - Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing (household and office furniture)
• 339 - Miscellaneous Manufacturing (medical devices, jewelry, sporting goods, firearms)

How to Find and Verify Your NAICS Code

Not sure what NAICS code applies to your business? Here are several ways to verify:

• Check your business tax returns - Your NAICS code appears on Schedule C (Form 1040) or your corporate tax return
• Review your SBA registration - If you've applied for SBA programs before, your NAICS code is on file
• Use the Census Bureau's NAICS search tool to look up your industry
• Check SAM.gov - If your business is registered for government contracting, your NAICS code is listed there
• Review industry association resources - Many trade associations provide NAICS code guidance for their members

Important: Your primary NAICS code must be in sectors 31-33. If your business has multiple NAICS codes, the one representing your principal business activity is what counts for MARC eligibility.

Beyond NAICS: Additional MARC Eligibility Requirements

Having the right NAICS code is necessary but not sufficient for MARC eligibility. You must also meet these standard SBA 7(a) requirements:

• For-profit business operating in the United States
• Meet SBA size standards for your specific NAICS code (varies by industry, typically 500-1,500 employees for manufacturing)
• 100% owned by U.S. citizens, nationals, or lawful permanent residents
• Demonstrate creditworthiness and ability to repay
• No delinquent federal debt or government loans
• Owners with 20%+ stake must provide personal guarantees
• Debt service coverage ratio of at least 1:1 (or projected within 2 years for startups)

Common Eligibility Questions

What if I do some manufacturing but it's not my primary business?

MARC requires manufacturing to be your principal line of business. If you primarily operate in retail, distribution, or services with manufacturing as a secondary activity, you likely won't qualify for MARC. However, you may qualify for other SBA programs—we can help assess your options.

Can contract manufacturers or job shops qualify?

Yes. Contract manufacturing, job shops, and custom fabrication operations all fall under NAICS 31-33 and are eligible for MARC financing as long as the primary business activity involves transforming materials into finished products.

What about assembly operations?

Assembly operations generally qualify if they involve substantial transformation of components into finished products. Simple packaging or repackaging typically doesn't qualify as manufacturing under NAICS definitions.

Can startups qualify?

Yes. New manufacturing businesses can qualify for MARC if they meet all other requirements. However, without historical financials, you'll need to provide detailed projections showing debt service coverage of at least 1:1 within two years of first disbursement.

What If You're Not in NAICS 31-33?

If your business doesn't fall under manufacturing NAICS codes, you're not eligible for MARC—but other SBA programs may be available:

• SBA 7(a) Standard Loans - Available to most for-profit businesses for working capital, equipment, and real estate
• SBA 504 Loans - For major fixed asset purchases (real estate, heavy equipment)
• SBA Express Loans - Faster approval for smaller amounts up to $500,000
• CAPLines - Working capital lines for businesses with seasonal or contract-based needs

Ready to Confirm Your Eligibility?

NAICS code eligibility is just the first step. The full qualification process considers your financials, creditworthiness, collateral, and business plan. At Precision Growth Capital, we specialize exclusively in SBA financing for manufacturers. Our free consultation will confirm your eligibility and identify the best financing structure for your operation.

We work with manufacturers across all NAICS 31-33 sectors—from firearms and food production to metal fabrication and electronics. If you manufacture products in the United States, we can help you access the capital you need to grow.