CSD registration is a self-registration process on the National Treasury Central Supplier Database portal. You capture your details online in two stages, and they are verified against SARS, CIPC and Home Affairs. You need a cellphone number for a one-time pin (OTP), an email address and your ID, company or trust number.
The CSD is the single database of supplier information for organs of state. Registering on it makes your details available to them; it does not on its own win you work.
Business Requirements at a Glance
What the CSD How to Register page says you need before you start:
- A valid cellphone number to receive the OTP
- A valid email account for the activation link
- Supplier identification information, such as an identification number, company registration number or trust number
- Your industry classification, contact details and address
- Tax information, where relevant, and bank account details
- Name and ID number of each director or member
- The commodities you can supply, and any accreditations such as CIDB, SETA or SANAS
- Your B-BBEE details
SARS itself requires suppliers to be registered on the CSD; see the SARS supplier registration page.
Registration and Legal Requirements
Registration is open only to a prospective supplier or an organ of state. Registering with another person’s details without their authority is prohibited under the CSD terms and conditions.
Your details are checked against SARS, CIPC and Home Affairs, so they must match those records. The primary user on the registration must keep the supplier information complete, up to date and accurate. National Treasury is not liable for losses that result from inaccurate information.
The terms define “key information” to include business registration (including directors and members), tax compliance, tender defaulter or restricted supplier status, B-BBEE and bank information.
The CSD pages do not state a registration fee. Confirm on the portal before paying anyone to register you, because you can self-register.
Documents and Ownership Information Required
The CSD works by online data capture rather than document upload. The official registration page lists information to enter, not documents to attach.
- Identification: ID number, company registration number or trust number
- Ownership: the name and ID number of each director or member
- Address: province, municipality, city, suburb, ward and postal code
- Banking: your bank account details, where relevant
- Tax: your tax information, if relevant
- Capabilities: commodities you can provide and accreditations (CIDB, SETA, SANAS)
Bank details are verified against the banks, which may take up to four days. Capture them early so a later payment is not delayed.
Tax, Licence and Compliance Requirements
Tax compliance is part of the key information on your registration. SARS verifies tax compliance status using an access PIN, and the result reflects your status at the date and time the PIN is used. Red means your tax affairs are not in order and you are not tax compliant; green means you are compliant. See how SARS verifies tax compliance status.
If you are red, resolve it with SARS before you rely on your CSD registration for a bid or quotation.
You can record accreditations such as CIDB, SETA or SANAS on your registration. Check with the relevant body what your sector requires.
Process, Deadlines and Ongoing Obligations
Registration is a two-stage self-registration. There is no application deadline on the official page.
- Stage 1, create a user: register, activate your account through the emailed link, then request an OTP by SMS.
- Stage 2, add the supplier: log in and go to Supplier Details, then Add Supplier. Complete the identification tab.
- Work through industry classification, contacts, address, tax, directors or members, associations, commodities, notifications and B-BBEE.
- Open the Overview tab to check nothing is outstanding, then click Submit.
Registration is complete once your details are assigned a supplier number and a 36-digit Unique Registration Reference Number.
If you prefer help in person, the CSD runs provincial walk-in centres. Keep your information up to date after registering, because you are responsible for its accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I do a CSD registration check?
Your registration is complete when you have a supplier number and a 36-digit Unique Registration Reference Number. You can run a registration report from the Report menu using both numbers, after logging in at the CSD portal. Tax status can be verified separately with a SARS access PIN.
Does CSD registration cost anything?
The official CSD pages do not state a fee, and registration is done by the supplier on the portal. Confirm on the portal before you pay anyone to register you.
Do I need to upload documents?
The official process is online data capture of your identification, director or member, tax, bank, commodity and B-BBEE details. A buyer may ask for other documents separately, so read the bid documents.
Why does my registration show as non-compliant?
Tax compliance is part of the key information on your registration, and it is verified with SARS. A red SARS status means you are not tax compliant, so resolve that with SARS first. Also check that your company, director and bank details match the records held by CIPC, Home Affairs and your bank.
Does registration get me work?
No. It places your details on the database used by organs of state. SARS, for example, publishes its tenders on etenders.gov.za and requires suppliers to be on the CSD; see its supplier registration page.
What if someone asks for my OTP?
The CSD team will never ask you to share your password or OTP. Report suspected fraud to 012 406 9222 or [email protected], as set out in the CSD security notice.
Confirm current requirements with National Treasury on the CSD portal. See business and compliance requirements and browse company registration requirements.