What is a CSD number and why was mine rejected?

If you want to do business with government in South Africa, you need to be registered on National Treasury's Central Supplier Database, known as the CSD.

What the CSD is

The CSD is a single database of suppliers that government departments use. Registration is free. Once registered, you receive a supplier number starting with MAAA, which government buyers ask for.

What you need

You need a registered entity, a valid SARS tax compliance status, a bank confirmation and valid IDs for directors. The system checks your details against other official records.

Why profiles get rejected

The most common reason is mismatched details. Your company name, registration number, directors, address and bank account details need to match across CIPC, SARS and your bank. A missing word, a different spelling or an old address can lead to a profile that is rejected or restricted.

Other common causes include a tax compliance status that is not current, a bank letter that does not show the details the system needs, or directors listed differently on CIPC and CSD.

Why it matters after registration

Government invoices are rejected when the details on the invoice do not match the CSD profile. So even after registration, keeping the profile current matters.

How long it takes

Verification can take a few weeks, particularly if a detail needs to be corrected at its source, such as at CIPC or SARS.

What to do now

Check your company details on CIPC, your registered details with SARS and the exact account name on your bank letter. Compare them line by line. Where they differ, correct the source first, then update the CSD.

If you would like us to find the mismatch and fix it properly, we can set up or repair your profile.