The Central Supplier Database is the single register of suppliers to the South African government. Registration on it is a precondition of doing business with organs of state, and it is free.
This page covers what registration requires, what it verifies automatically, and why registrations most often show as non-compliant.
Business Requirements at a Glance
What CSD registration generally requires.
- A registered entity, or a registered sole proprietorship or individual supplier
- CIPC registration details, which are verified automatically against the CIPC
- A SARS tax reference number, with tax compliance verified automatically
- A bank account in the supplier’s name, verified automatically against the bank
- Identity details for every director, member or owner, verified against Home Affairs
- B-BBEE status information, with a certificate or sworn affidavit
- Contact and address details for the supplier
- The commodities the supplier can provide, selected from the database’s classification
- Registration completed on the National Treasury CSD portal
Registration and Legal Requirements
Registration is free and is done by the supplier. Anyone charging to register you on the CSD is charging for something you can do yourself on the portal in an hour. Report anyone claiming registration requires a fee or an intermediary.
The database verifies automatically. It checks your details against the CIPC, SARS, Home Affairs and the banks, which means your registration is only as good as the underlying records. That is why registrations fail.
The most common problem is a mismatch. A company name, director identity number or bank account name that differs between the CSD entry and the source record produces a failed verification. Fix it at the source — the CIPC, Home Affairs or the bank — not on the CSD.
The second most common is tax non-compliance. The CSD reflects your SARS tax compliance status in real time, so an unfiled return or an unpaid assessment shows immediately. Resolve it with SARS or arrange payment.
The third is banking. The account must be in the supplier’s own name and correct. A third-party account or a wrong digit fails verification and blocks payment.
Keep CIPC filings current. An unfiled annual return leading to deregistration fails the CIPC verification and removes you from the database.
Documents and Ownership Information Required
What is needed to register.
- CIPC registration documents, company profile and memorandum of incorporation
- Certified ID copies for every director, member or partner
- Beneficial ownership information as filed with the CIPC
- Proof of the business physical address
- A SARS tax compliance status PIN
- A business bank account in the entity’s name
- Annual financial statements or management accounts
- A valid B-BBEE certificate or sworn affidavit
- Sector licences and permits, where applicable
Tax, Licence and Compliance Requirements
Registration is the beginning, not the end. Being on the CSD makes you eligible to be paid by an organ of state; it does not find you work. Tenders and quotations are still advertised and competed for separately.
Keep the registration current. Details must be updated when anything changes — directors, banking, address, contact person — and a registration with stale details fails at the point a department tries to pay you.
Check your status before quoting. A supplier whose CSD status shows non-compliant at the moment of award loses the award, and it is checked at that moment rather than at registration.
Public procurement operates under the Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act 5 of 2000 and its regulations, together with the Public Finance Management Act 1 of 1999 or the Municipal Finance Management Act 56 of 2003 depending on the organ of state. Read the specific tender documents for how goals and evaluation are applied.
Watch the tender portals — the eTender portal, departmental websites, municipal notices and the Government Tender Bulletin. Registration on the CSD does not subscribe you to opportunities.
Nobody can sell you a tender. Any person offering to secure an award, to provide inside information or to influence an evaluation is proposing corruption, which is a criminal offence under the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act 12 of 2004 for both parties. Report it.
Free support is available. The Small Enterprise Development Agency assists small businesses with CSD registration and tendering at no cost.
Process, Deadlines and Ongoing Obligations
Register on the National Treasury CSD portal yourself, with the entity, tax, banking and identity details matching the source records exactly.
Fix mismatches at the source. A name or identity discrepancy is corrected at the CIPC, Home Affairs or the bank, and the CSD then verifies successfully. Trying to correct it on the CSD alone does not work.
Resolve tax compliance first if your status is not clear. File outstanding returns, then arrange any debt with SARS — an entity with an approved arrangement can be compliant.
Check and update the registration quarterly, and always before submitting a quotation or bid.
- Register yourself on the CSD portal — it is free
- Never pay anyone to register you on the CSD
- Make sure entity, director, banking and tax details match the source records
- Fix mismatches at the CIPC, Home Affairs or the bank, not on the CSD
- Resolve SARS compliance — the status shows in real time
- Use a bank account in the supplier’s own name
- Keep CIPC annual returns filed to avoid deregistration
- Update details whenever anything changes
- Check your status before quoting on anything
- Report anyone offering to secure or influence a tender award
Frequently Asked Questions
Does CSD registration cost anything?
No. It is free and done by the supplier on the National Treasury portal. Anyone charging to register you is charging for something you can do yourself.
Why does my registration show non-compliant?
Usually a mismatch against the CIPC, Home Affairs or your bank, or a SARS tax compliance issue. The database verifies automatically and reflects the source records.
Does registration get me work?
No. It makes you eligible to be paid by an organ of state. Tenders and quotations are still advertised and competed for separately — watch the tender portals.
What if someone offers to secure a tender?
That is corruption, a criminal offence for both parties. Report it. Nobody can lawfully sell an award or influence an evaluation.
Registration requirements, verification processes and procurement rules are set by National Treasury, the CIPC, SARS and the procurement legislation, and are revised. Confirm current requirements on the CSD portal and with the organ of state concerned.