Get tender-ready: the compliance checklist for suppliers
Short answer
To bid for most South African tenders you need four things in this order: a Good Standing tax compliance PIN from SARS, a B-BBEE affidavit or certificate, a CSD supplier number, and your CSD report as proof. Some tenders also ask for a COIDA letter of good standing.
Buyers check your documents against live government records, so the order matters. Each step feeds the next. Written for: small businesses and sole proprietors who want to supply government, municipalities, state entities or large corporates.
Guides in this checklist last checked 3 November 2026. Confirm on each official portal before you submit.
How to get your SARS tax clearance certificate (TCS PIN)
Why this step: CSD checks your tax status with SARS. Without a Good Standing PIN your profile will not verify.
SARS no longer issues a paper tax clearance certificate. It issues a Tax Compliance Status (TCS) PIN instead. Log in to eFiling, open My Compliance Profile, request the Good Standing type and submit. If your tax affairs are in order, SARS issues the PIN immediately. There is no SARS fee.
No SARS fee to request the PINInstant if your tax affairs are in orderLive status buyers see it on the day they check
How to do a B-BBEE affidavit (EME and QSE)
Why this step: Bids score or qualify on your B-BBEE level. Small businesses can usually use a sworn affidavit instead of a paid certificate.
A B-BBEE affidavit is a sworn statement, signed before an independent commissioner of oaths, that proves your level without a paid certificate. EMEs (turnover up to R10 million) and QSEs (R10 million to R50 million, at least 51% black-owned) can use the free dtic template. It is valid for 12 months from the commissioner's date.
Free dtic template, commissioner of oaths should not chargeR10m and R50m turnover limits for EMEs and QSEs12 months from the commissioner's date
How to register on the CSD: requirements and steps
Why this step: Government buyers pay only suppliers on the CSD. You need the PIN and B-BBEE details to hand.
CSD registration is free and done online at csd.gov.za. You need your company or ID number, tax details, a SARS tax compliance PIN, bank details, directors' details and proof of address. After you submit, the system verifies you against SARS and CIPC and issues a supplier number starting with MAAA.
Free to register yourselfMAAA number your CSD supplier number3 to 10 working days verification (estimates differ)
How to download your CSD report (summary report)
Why this step: Most bid packs ask for your CSD summary report. Download it fresh for each bid.
To get your CSD report, log in to the Central Supplier Database, open Reports, choose Registration Summary, and enter your supplier number and registration reference number. Your supplier number starts with MAAA. The report shows only information that was submitted and verified: tax, bank, directors and B-BBEE. Save or print it for tenders.
MAAA how your CSD supplier number startsVerified only the report shows submitted and verified data2 numbers supplier number plus registration reference
How to get and verify a Department of Labour letter of good standing
Only if it applies.
Why this step: Only if the tender asks for it, and only if you have employees. File your return of earnings first.
A COIDA letter of good standing is issued by the Compensation Fund, part of the Department of Employment and Labour. To get one, register with the Fund, file your return of earnings (ROE), then pay the assessment or keep an instalment arrangement up to date. You download the letter from the Fund's online system.
No fee for the letter (you pay your assessment)Days once your payment reflectsYearly renew each ROE season
CSD login problems: how to fix them
Only if it applies.
Why this step: Locked out, no OTP, wrong details? Fix it before the closing date.
noredtape is not the CSD. Log in only at csd.gov.za, using the email address you registered with. To reset a forgotten password, choose Forgot Password, enter that email, open the reset email, set a new password and enter the OTP sent by SMS to your registered cellphone number.
csd.gov.za the only official loginYour email is the login you registered withSMS OTP needed to complete a password reset
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