What this class covers
ANZSIC class 3735 categorises businesses primarily engaged in the wholesale distribution of printed reading materials in Australia. This includes operations that purchase books, magazines, periodicals, and newspapers from publishers or importers and sell them to retailers, educational institutions, libraries, or other wholesale distributors. These businesses typically operate from warehouses or distribution centres and may provide logistical services such as storage, sorting, and delivery to their customers.
Common examples of businesses in this class include: distributors supplying books to independent bookstores and chain retailers; magazine wholesalers that deliver periodic publications to newsagents and supermarkets; educational suppliers providing textbooks to schools and universities; specialist wholesalers focusing on specific genres like academic journals or children's literature; and newspaper distributors serving retail outlets across metropolitan or regional areas.
Primary activities in plain English
Businesses in this classification typically engage in:
- Buying books in bulk from publishers and selling them to bookstores, schools, or libraries
- Distributing magazines and periodicals to newsagents, supermarkets, and other retail outlets
- Wholesaling newspapers to various retail establishments for resale to the public
- Operating distribution networks for regular delivery of publications to subscribers or retailers
- Managing inventory and logistics for printed reading materials on a wholesale basis
Exclusions and nearby codes
This class specifically excludes retail bookselling, which falls under ANZSIC class 4251 (Newspaper and Book Retailing). Businesses that primarily publish books or magazines rather than distribute them are classified under division J (Information Media and Telecommunications). Printing services are categorised separately in division C (Manufacturing).
Nearby classifications include ANZSIC class 3731 (Furniture Wholesaling) and 3732 (Floor Covering Wholesaling), which share the same group classification but involve different product categories. Businesses that wholesale stationery and office supplies would fall under a different subdivision within wholesale trade.
Practical guidance
Businesses operating in book and magazine wholesaling must register for an ABN and may need to register for GST if their annual turnover exceeds $75,000. The appropriate Business Industry Code (BIC) for this classification is 37350, which should be used on Business Activity Statements and other government documentation.
For workers' compensation insurance, businesses in this class are typically classified under the appropriate wholesale trade category, which varies by state. Risk exposure relates primarily to warehouse operations, manual handling, and transportation activities. When applying for business licenses or industry-specific programs, ensure you use the correct ANZSIC code to avoid misclassification.
Industry reporting to the Australian Bureau of Statistics may occasionally require information based on this classification. Keeping accurate records of your primary business activities will help ensure correct reporting across government agencies.