2022 NAICS national industry in sector 54 Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
541870 Advertising Material Distribution Services
NAICS 541870 is the US industry code for advertising material distribution services. It covers establishments primarily engaged in the direct distribution or delivery of advertisements (e.g., circulars, coupons, handbills) or samples.
- Code
- 541870 (2022 NAICS)
- Title
- Advertising Material Distribution Services
- Part of
- Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services
- SBA small business limit
- Average annual receipts up to $28.5 million
- Closest UK SIC
- 73110, 73120 (details)
Changes coming. The NAICS 2027 revision applies to data from 1 January 2027, and SBA proposed new size standards on 20 August 2026. The values on this page are the ones in force today; we update this page when the official files change.
Official definition
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in the direct distribution or delivery of advertisements (e.g., circulars, coupons, handbills) or samples. Establishments in this industry use methods, such as delivering advertisements or samples door-to-door, placing flyers or coupons on car windshields in parking lots, or handing out samples in retail stores.
When to use a different code
Census classifies these close-sounding activities somewhere else. Businesses mainly engaged in:
- Creating and designing advertising campaigns for the purpose of distributing advertising materials or samples through the mail are classified in Industry 541860, Direct Mail Advertising.
- Publishing newspapers or operating television stations or online information services are classified in Sector 51, Information.
- Distributing advertising specialties (e.g., keychains, magnets, or pens with customized messages imprinted) to clients who wish to use such materials for promotional purposes are classified in Industry 541890, Other Services Related to Advertising.
- Creating advertising campaigns and placing such advertising in print and digital media are classified in Industry 541810, Advertising Agencies.
Activities listed under 541870
The Census index assigns these 9 activities to this code. If your business matches one, this is your code.
- Advertising material (e.g., coupons, flyers, samples) direct distribution services
- Circular direct distribution services
- Coupon direct distribution services
- Directory, telephone, distribution on a contract basis
- Door-to-door distribution of advertising materials (e.g., coupons, flyers, samples)
- Flyer direct distribution (except direct mail) services
- Handbill direct distribution services
- Sample direct distribution services
- Telephone directory distribution services, door-to-door
SBA size standard for 541870
To count as a small business for SBA loans and federal contracts under NAICS 541870, your business (including affiliates) must not exceed $28.5 million in average annual receipts. Check your business.
Source: SBA table of size standards, effective March 17, 2023.
Closest UK SIC 2007 codes
There is no official one-to-one link between NAICS and UK SIC. These codes share the same international class (ISIC Rev. 4: 7310), so treat them as a starting point and check the definition.
Built from Census concordances 2022→2017 NAICS and 2017 NAICS→ISIC Rev. 4.
Similar codes to compare
Data last changed November 14, 2026. How this page is built.