You cannot submit a government tender without CSD registration

The Central Supplier Database (CSD) is South Africa's centralised register of government suppliers, administered by National Treasury. If your business is not registered on the CSD, you are automatically disqualified from any government tender or RFQ — regardless of price, B-BBEE score, or CIDB grading.

Registration is free, but many contractors get it wrong and wonder why their tenders are rejected. This guide covers exactly what to do.

What the CSD checks

Before awarding you a MAAA number (your unique supplier identification), the CSD system verifies:

SARS tax compliance (links directly to SARS systems)
CIPC company registration status
Directors/members identity verification (Department of Home Affairs)
CIDB registration (for construction categories)
Debarment status (whether the entity or its directors are barred from government procurement)

Documents you need before starting

Company registration documents (CK1/CM29, CoR14.3, or CIPRO documents)
ID numbers for all directors/members
Your SARS income tax reference number and VAT number (if registered)
Company bank account details and a stamped bank statement (not older than 3 months)
CIDB registration number and grading certificate (if applicable)
B-BBEE certificate or affidavit

Step-by-step CSD registration process

Visit csd.gov.za — use Chrome or Firefox, avoid Internet Explorer
Click "Register as Supplier" and select your entity type (Company, Close Corporation, Sole Proprietor, NGO, etc.)
Create a login with your email and password
Complete the supplier profile: Business details, contact information, bank details, directors/members details
Upload supporting documents — size limits apply (max 1MB per file), PDF format preferred
Link your SARS profile — the system auto-verifies tax compliance
Submit and await verification — typically 5–10 business days
Receive your MAAA number — keep this safe, it's required on every tender submission

What is a MAAA number?

Your MAAA number (Supplier Unique Reference Number) is a unique identifier issued by the CSD once verification is complete. Format: MAAA followed by digits (e.g., MAAA00001234567). You must include this on every SBD form you submit in a government tender. Evaluators use it to verify your supplier status and tax compliance in real time.

Common CSD registration errors

"Tax non-compliant" status

The most common blocker. The CSD pulls live data from SARS. If there are outstanding returns, disputed assessments, or provisional tax arrears, your profile will show as non-compliant. Resolve the issue with SARS first — there's no workaround on the CSD portal.

Director ID mismatch

The name and ID number on your CIPC registration must exactly match your Home Affairs ID. Even a nickname or father's name discrepancy causes verification to fail. Use your full ID name as registered at Home Affairs.

Bank account verification failure

The bank details you provide must match your company name — not a personal account, not a third party's account. Submit a recent official bank statement confirming the account belongs to your registered business entity.

Outdated profile = disqualification

CSD profiles expire if not updated. If your tax compliance, CIDB registration, or B-BBEE certificate has been renewed, update your CSD profile immediately. Evaluators checking an outdated profile during evaluation can disqualify your bid.

Maintaining your CSD profile

Log in and verify compliance status at least once per quarter
Update immediately when any compliance document (Tax PIN, CIDB certificate, B-BBEE certificate) is renewed
Verify bank details if you change banking institutions
Check that all directors' details remain current after any changes in company structure

CSD and TenderProSA

TenderProSA's Compliance Pack generator includes a CSD verification checklist and generates pre-filled SBD forms that include your MAAA number and CSD data points automatically. Submit with confidence knowing your compliance documentation is complete and current.

Start free — 100 credits, no credit card required. Run your first full tender compliance check in under 10 minutes.