CSD Registration in South Africa: Step-by-Step Guide for Businesses

What is the Central Supplier Database?

The CSD is an online database run by National Treasury's Office of the Chief Procurement Officer. It holds supplier details and automatically checks key information against other government systems, such as company registration with CIPC, tax status with SARS and banking details with banks.

Who uses the CSD?

• National and provincial government departments
• Municipalities and municipal entities
• Many state-owned entities and public bodies
• Suppliers: companies, close corporations, partnerships, trusts, sole proprietors and individuals

Why register?

Organs of state generally may only buy from suppliers registered on the CSD. Without a supplier number you will usually be excluded from quotations (RFQs) and tenders, even small ones. Registration also saves you resubmitting the same company documents to every department.

Information you normally need

CIPC details

Your company or CC registration number and the exact registered name. The CSD checks these against CIPC records, so they must match.

Tax information

Your income tax reference number, and VAT number if registered. The CSD checks your tax compliance status with SARS, so outstanding returns or debt can show you as non-compliant.

Bank information

A business bank account in the supplier's name. The account holder must match the registered business, and the bank verifies this.

Directors or members

ID numbers and details of all directors, members or owners. Ownership details also feed into government's checks on, for example, employees of the state doing business with government.

Commodities

The goods and services you supply, chosen from the CSD's commodity list. Be accurate and specific: buyers search by commodity.

B-BBEE information

Where applicable, your B-BBEE certificate or sworn affidavit details. Requirements for B-BBEE evidence depend on your turnover and the procurement rules that apply.

Step-by-step registration

1. Go to the official CSD portal at secure.csd.gov.za and create a user profile with a valid email and cellphone number.
2. Add a new supplier and choose the correct supplier type.
3. Enter identification details exactly as they appear at CIPC.
4. Add contact and address details.
5. Add tax information and your bank account details.
6. Add directors or members and ownership percentages.
7. Select your commodities and the areas you supply.
8. Add B-BBEE details if applicable.
9. Accept the terms and submit.
10. Check the verification results on your profile over the next few days and fix anything flagged.

Common registration problems

• Bank verification fails because the account name does not match the registered business name exactly
• Tax status shows non-compliant because of an outstanding return, even a small one
• CIPC details do not match because annual returns are overdue
• Directors' ID numbers entered incorrectly
• The OTP or verification email goes to an old address or number

Keeping your supplier details current

Update your profile when directors, bank details, address or tax status change. Buyers check your CSD status when they evaluate bids and before payment, so an outdated or non-compliant profile can cost you an award or delay payment.

What happens after registration

You get a supplier number and can print a CSD registration report. Quote the number on quotations and include the report where a tender asks for it. Then start watching the eTender Publication Portal, departmental websites and municipal notice boards for opportunities in your commodities.

CSD registration and tenders

CSD is the entry ticket. Each tender then has its own list of returnable documents, often including financial information. See our tender documents checklist and how to prepare your financials for a tender.