CSD Registration in South Africa: Step-by-Step Guide (2026)
How to register on the Central Supplier Database (CSD): documents needed, how long verification takes, common rejection reasons, and keeping your MAAA number active.
The Central Supplier Database is the single registration government uses to verify every supplier. One CSD profile covers national, provincial and municipal buyers. Here is the clean path through it.
What you need before you start
- CIPC company registration documents (or your ID if a sole proprietor)
- SARS tax reference number and an e-Filing profile in good standing
- Business bank account details (verified against the account holder name)
- ID numbers for all directors and members
- Physical and postal addresses
The registration flow
Create an account at csd.gov.za, capture your business details, bank account, tax information, directors and commodities (what you sell). CSD verifies your tax status with SARS, your bank account with the bank, and your registration with CIPC automatically. Verification typically takes 3 to 10 working days; bank verification is the usual bottleneck.
The three most common rejections
- Bank account name does not exactly match the registered business name
- Tax compliance status is red at SARS (outstanding returns, even nil ones)
- Director ID numbers mistyped, which fails Home Affairs verification
After you are registered
Your MAAA number never expires, but your tax status is re-checked live every time a buyer views your profile. Keep SARS green. Re-confirm your details every 12 months, and add commodity codes generously: buyers filter suppliers by commodity, and missing codes mean missed RFQs sent directly through CSD.
Frequently asked questions
How long does CSD registration take?+
Usually 3 to 10 working days. Bank-account verification (matching the account name to your registered business name) is the most common delay.
Does a CSD (MAAA) number expire?+
The number itself does not expire, but your tax-compliance status is re-verified with SARS every time a buyer views your profile, so you must stay tax-compliant.
Why was my CSD registration rejected?+
Most often a bank-account name mismatch, a non-compliant SARS tax status (including outstanding nil returns), or a mistyped director ID number.
What documents do I need to register on the CSD?+
Your CIPC company registration, a valid tax number (SARS verifies it automatically), banking details for verification, and B-BBEE information. Directors' ID numbers must match Home Affairs records.
Is CSD registration free?+
Yes. Registering on the Central Supplier Database at csd.gov.za is free. You never have to pay a third party to register, though many suppliers choose help to avoid rejections.
How long does CSD bank verification take?+
Usually a few working days, and it is the step that most often holds up a registration. It only passes when the account holder name matches your registered business name exactly, so fix any mismatch with your bank first.
What does a CSD number look like?+
CSD supplier numbers are MAAA followed by seven digits, for example MAAA0123456. You receive this number once your registration is approved at secure.csd.gov.za.
How do I log in to the CSD?+
Log in at secure.csd.gov.za using the email address and password you registered with. If you have forgotten your password, use the reset link on the login page.
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