CIPC Company Registration Cost & Timeline in South Africa (2026)
CIPC Company Registration Cost & Timeline in South Africa (2026)
"Just how much does it cost to register a company in South Africa?" is the first question every founder asks — and the answer is usually far lower than they expect. The CIPC government fees are genuinely cheap. It is the extra steps (tax, VAT, B-BBEE, banking) that add up, which is why we have laid out the full picture here.
These figures are for 2026 and were checked against current CIPC and SARS schedules. CIPC does adjust fees periodically, so treat them as accurate guidance rather than a quote.
CIPC government fees (2026)
| Item | Fee (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Name reservation | R50 per name (up to 4 options) |
| Company registration (Pty Ltd) | R125 |
| Per additional director | R50 |
| Certified copy of registration | R0 (included in registration) |
| CoR 14.3 registration certificate | Free once registered |
| Annual return (once in operation) | R100–R140 per year |
So a standard Pty Ltd with two directors, DIY, costs roughly R325–R375 in government fees — that is everything CIPC will charge you.
What a professional service costs
Most founders do not want to wrestle with the CIPC eServices portal, and that is where registration agents add value. Typical South African pricing:
- Company registration only (DIY guidance): R300–R800.
- Done-for-you registration incl. MOI + SARS tax number: R1,500–R2,500.
- Full business setup incl. VAT, UIF, COIDA, B-BBEE and systems: R4,500+.
At CrazyClicks our Company Registration package is R1,500 and includes the CIPC registration, name reservation, MOI preparation and your SARS tax number. Our Business Setup package at R4,500 adds VAT registration, UIF and COIDA, a B-BBEE certificate and accounting setup.
The real timeline (and what causes delays)
| Step | Typical time |
|---|---|
| Name availability check | Same day |
| Name reservation approval | 1–3 working days |
| Company registration processing | 1–5 working days |
| SARS tax number | 3–5 working days |
| VAT registration | 3–5 working days |
| UIF / COIDA | 1–3 working days |
| Business bank account | 3–15 working days |
Realistic end-to-end with a service provider: 1 to 2 weeks. The most common delays are:
- Name rejections because a similar name already exists.
- Incorrect director/shareholder details on the submission.
- SARS identity verification for directors (every director's ID must be registered on the SARS system — if not, the tax number takes longer).
- Bank FICA checks when the registered address does not match proof of residence.
The costs people forget
Beyond CIPC, budget for these:
- SARS tax number — free, but essential before you can bank or invoice properly.
- B-BBEE affidavit — free (EME), but needed for tenders and corporate clients.
- Registered office — if you trade from home you can use your home address; otherwise an office address costs R300–R1,500/month.
- Business bank account — typically R100–R250/month in account fees.
- Accounting and tax compliance — R500–R2,500/month for a bookkeeper or accountant; annual returns and company tax returns are mandatory.
- Trademark registration — optional but recommended at around R1,400 per class through CIPC, which protects your brand name.
- Business insurance — public liability and professional indemnity from about R300/month.
DIY vs done-for-you: which saves you money?
If your time is worth anything, done-for-you almost always wins. The DIY route saves maybe R1,000–R2,000 but costs you a weekend on the CIPC portal, a rejected application or two, and the stress of figuring out SARS registration. A professional does it in days and gets the tax number sorted while you keep building your product.
Founders in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban, Pretoria, Gqeberha and Bloemfontein all ask us the same thing — whether we can handle registration while they focus on their business. We can, and we do it as part of a wider launch: company, website, online store, CRM and payment setup in one go.
FAQ
Is R1,500 a good price for company registration?
Yes, that is a fair mid-market rate. Cheaper services often exclude the SARS tax number or charge extra for the MOI. Make sure the quote includes the name reservation, MOI, CIPC filing, registration certificate and SARS tax number.
Can I register my company myself for free?
You cannot avoid CIPC's government fees, but you can do the process yourself for under R400. Use the CIPC eServices portal, follow the step-by-step company registration guide, and be prepared for a longer process.
Why is the CIPC fee R125 plus R50 per director?
CIPC charges a flat registration fee of around R125 and a small per-director fee (roughly R50 each) to cover the verification of each director's record. The fee is capped at a maximum number of directors.
How long is a CIPC name reservation valid?
Six months, renewable. If your registration is not completed within that window you must re-reserve the name.
Do I need to register for VAT when I register the company?
No. VAT is a separate SARS registration triggered once your taxable turnover exceeds R1 million in 12 months (voluntary from R50,000). It is handled after the company exists and has its tax number.
Ready to register?
Skip the paperwork and the 1–2 week wait where possible — let someone who does this daily handle it. CrazyClicks registers companies across South Africa from our Cape Town base, including the MOI, SARS tax number, VAT, UIF, COIDA and B-BBEE, plus the website, systems and payments you need to actually launch.
Start your company registration today — or chat to us on WhatsApp for a same-day quote.
