How to Register a Pty Ltd in South Africa (2026 Step-by-Step)

The honest version

Registering a Pty Ltd in South Africa is cheaper and easier than the registration-service ads suggest. If you have a SA ID, one director, and a registered address, BizPortal will get you there for R175 (with a name) or R125 (without a name) in 1 to 3 working days. That's the official path.

The registration-service brands rank for these queries because they sell convenience and post-registration help (SARS, UIF, BEE, banking). They are not lying about being faster on the post-CIPC chain. They are misleading when the marketing implies CIPC itself is hard.

Decide first: are you actually a Pty?

A Pty Ltd is the right choice if you want limited liability, plan to take on partners or investors, or expect to grow above the sole-prop tax break-even (around R500-700k taxable). It is overkill for a freelancer billing R150k a year - a sole proprietorship is simpler and cheaper.

• Sole proprietor: cheaper, simpler, but unlimited personal liability and you pay tax at personal rates (18-45%).
• Pty Ltd: limited liability, flat 27% company tax, more admin, can issue shares.
• NPC (Section 21): non-profit, longer MOI required (R475), separate director rules.
• Use our break-even calculator to see which is cheaper at your profit level: /tools/company-registration/sole-prop-vs-pty

Step 1: pick a name (or skip)

BizPortal lets you register without a name. CIPC issues a registration number like K2026/123456/07 and you trade as that number with '(South Africa)' as your suffix. Many founders do this to ship faster and add a name later (R50 reservation + R30-R50 name change).

If you are picking a name now, check it on BizPortal's free name-availability tool first - it runs against CIPC's live database and saves the R50 reservation fee on a name that won't pass.

Step 2: register on BizPortal

Go to https://www.bizportal.gov.za, create an account with your SA ID, click 'Register a New Company', choose a Pty (Profit Company), enter your director details, accept the standard short-form MOI (CoR15.1A), and pay R175. BizPortal also handles your SARS company tax registration automatically.

If you have foreign directors, complex shareholding, or want a long-form MOI from day one, use CIPC eServices instead. Long-form MOI is R475.

Step 3: what most guides skip - the post-CIPC chain

A CIPC certificate by itself doesn't let you trade. After registration you typically need:

1. Open a business bank account (FNB, Capitec, Standard Bank, Nedbank, Tyme - each has different docs and fees).
2. Register for UIF and PAYE if you employ anyone (BizPortal can do this in the same flow).
3. Register for VAT if turnover crosses R1m (or voluntarily above R50k).
4. Register for COIDA if you have employees - mandatory.
5. Get a BEE affidavit if you'll sell to corporates or tender (free if turnover under R10m).
6. Get a Tax Compliance Status (TCS) PIN if you'll bid on tenders, do CSD, or apply for foreign-exchange clearance.
7. Sector regulator (PSIRA for security, CIDB for construction, NHBRC for home-building, etc.) - check your industry.

Step 4: don't forget annual returns

Every Pty must file a CIPC Annual Return on its registration anniversary. Fees scale with turnover (R100 if under R1m). Miss two years and CIPC starts deregistration. Miss enough and your company is gone, with reinstatement at R200 plus catch-up fees.

We have a free Annual Return + Penalty Calculator if you're not sure how much you owe.

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