Central Supplier Database registration
No organ of state can pay a supplier who is not on the Central Supplier Database. Registration is free and you can do it yourself. Most people who ask us to do it have already tried, and are stuck on a verification that will not clear.
What actually goes wrong
The form is not the hard part. Registrations stall on verification, and almost always for one of three reasons.
- Bank details that do not matchThe account has to be in the exact registered name of the business. A trading name, a personal account or an old name from before a company change will fail the bank verification and simply sit there.
- Tax status that will not verifyCSD pulls your tax compliance status from SARS automatically. If it comes back non compliant, buyers see that on your profile and filter you out, even though the registration itself goes through.
- Director details that disagree with CIPCIf someone resigned or was appointed and CIPC was never updated, the identity check fails against a company that no longer looks like yours.
What you get for R490
- The registration prepared and submittedYour full supplier profile on csd.gov.za, completed from the details you give us.
- A pre check before we submitWe compare your CIPC record, your bank account name and your director details first, so the verification has a chance of clearing.
- Your MAAA supplier numberConfirmed to you in writing and kept in your client portal.
- A rejection fixIf a verification fails on something we can correct, we correct it and resubmit at no extra charge.
- What to keep currentA short sheet on the annual reverification and what to update when your bank, directors or address change.
How it works
- 1Order and send your detailsCIPC number, tax number, banking details and director IDs, through the short form in your portal.
- 2We check before we submitWe look for the mismatches that cause stalled verifications and tell you about anything that needs fixing first.
- 3Submitted and confirmedWe register you and send your MAAA supplier number once the verification clears.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Central Supplier Database?
National Treasury's single register of everyone who wants to supply goods or services to government. Every organ of state, from a municipality to a national department, checks it before awarding work. If you are not on it with a valid supplier number you cannot be paid.
Is CSD registration free?
Yes. Registering at csd.gov.za costs nothing and you are welcome to do it yourself. Our R490 is for doing it for you and for fixing the things that get suppliers rejected, mainly a tax status that does not verify and bank details that do not match the account holder name.
What do I need before I can register on CSD?
Your CIPC registration number, your income tax number, a bank account in the exact registered name of the business, the ID numbers of the directors or members, and your B-BBEE affidavit or certificate. Missing or mismatched banking details are the most common reason a registration sits unverified.
How long does CSD registration take?
The submission itself is quick. What takes time is the automatic verification against SARS, CIPC and your bank, which usually settles within a few working days when the details match and can stall indefinitely when they do not.
Do I need tax clearance for CSD?
You do not upload a certificate, but CSD checks your tax compliance status with SARS automatically and shows it to every buyer looking at your profile. A non compliant status does not block registration but it does cost you work, because buyers filter on it.
What is a MAAA number?
The unique supplier number CSD issues once you are registered, beginning with the letters MAAA. Quote it on every quote, invoice and tender document you send to an organ of state.
Getting tender ready properly
CSD is one item on a longer list. Most buyers also want a B-BBEE affidavit, a tax compliance status that verifies, and for construction work a CIDB grading. The tender ready pack covers the set in one go at R890, which is cheaper than buying the pieces separately.
The Central Supplier Database is run by National Treasury and registration is free at csd.gov.za. Verification against SARS, CIPC and your bank is automatic and outside our control; we prepare the submission so it has the best chance of clearing. This is administrative assistance, not legal or tax advice.