CSD Registration — How to Register on the Central Supplier Database
To do business with any South African government department or organ of state, your business must be registered on the Central Supplier Database (CSD) at csd.gov.za. Registration is free, done entirely online, and gives you a unique supplier number (starting with MAAA) that every government buyer uses to verify you. You cannot be awarded a government tender without it.
What is the CSD?
The Central Supplier Database is National Treasury's single, national database of all suppliers that want to do business with the state. It replaced the old system where every department kept its own supplier list — now you register once and every organ of state can find and verify you. The CSD automatically checks your tax status with SARS, your company registration with the CIPC, and your bank account with your bank.
What you need before you start
- Your South African ID number (and those of all directors/members)
- Your CIPC company registration number (if you're a company, CC or co-op)
- Your SARS tax reference number (the CSD verifies your tax compliance automatically)
- Your business bank account details (verified with your bank)
- A valid email address and cellphone number
How to register on the CSD — step by step
- Go to secure.csd.gov.za and create a user account with your email and cellphone.
- Capture your supplier identification — ID or CIPC number. The CSD pulls your legal name and directors automatically.
- Add your tax, bank, address, contact and industry (commodity) details.
- Submit. The CSD runs automated verification against SARS, CIPC and your bank.
- Once verified, you receive your MAAA supplier number and a registration summary — you're ready to bid.
Knowing the rules isn't the same as winning
Understanding the paperwork is step one. Winning the bid is step two — and it's where most businesses lose. The Tender Ready SA toolkit hands you the exact system: the returnable-documents checklist that stops you being disqualified, how to price to win, and the dreaded SBD forms decoded in plain English. For R399, once.
Get the R399 toolkit → learn to winFrequently asked questions
Is CSD registration free?
Yes. Registering on the Central Supplier Database is completely free — there is no charge from National Treasury. Be wary of third parties who charge to 'register' you for something you can do yourself in under an hour.
How long does CSD registration take?
Capturing your details takes about 30–60 minutes. The automated verification (tax, bank, CIPC) is usually completed within a few minutes to a few days, depending on whether your SARS and bank details match cleanly.
Do I need CSD registration to bid on a tender?
Yes. You must be registered and verified on the CSD to be awarded any government tender. Many tenders ask for your MAAA supplier number in the bid documents.
What is a MAAA number?
It's the unique supplier number the CSD issues you after registration (it starts with the letters MAAA). Government buyers use it to look up and verify your business.
Ready to bid?
Browse live tenders now, or get the toolkit to put this into practice.
Browse live tenders →