Company Registration Costs in South Africa (2026): CIPC Fees vs Service Providers
Company Registration Costs in South Africa (2026): CIPC Fees vs Service Providers
What does it really cost to register a (Pty) Ltd in South Africa in 2026? We break down the official CIPC fees, what registration services charge, and the ongoing costs nobody tells you about.
Official CIPC Fees in 2026
The Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) sets the government fees. These are the same whether you register yourself or use a service provider – the provider adds their service fee on top.
| CIPC action | Government fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Company registration (no name) | R125 | Company gets an enterprise number as its name; you can change it later |
| Company registration (with name) | R175 | Includes the name reservation fee |
| Name reservation only | R50 | Up to 4 proposed names, valid for 6 months once approved |
| Beneficial ownership filing | Free | Mandatory for all companies; must be up to date before filing annual returns |
Fees are set by CIPC and change from time to time – confirm the current schedule on cipc.co.za or BizPortal before budgeting.
What Company Registration Services Charge
Service providers handle the paperwork for you. Here is how the market looks in 2026:
| Provider type | Typical once-off price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Budget online services | R449 – R499 | Basic registration; extras like share certificates often cost more |
| Established agencies | R880 – R985 | Registration plus support; some include B-BBEE affidavits |
| Premium / legal firms | R950 – R1,450+ | Registration bundled with legal or accounting services |
| Admin Boss | R275 all-in | Name reservation, (Pty) Ltd registration, COR14.3 certificate and SARS tax number |
Ongoing Costs After Registration
Registration is once-off, but a company has annual compliance costs. Budget for these from day one:
| Ongoing item | Typical cost | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| CIPC annual return | R100 – R4,000 (turnover-based) | Every year, in your registration anniversary month |
| SARS tax returns | Free to file; accountant fees vary | Every year |
| Beneficial ownership update | Free | Whenever ownership changes, and before annual returns |
Missing annual returns leads to penalties and eventually deregistration – read our guide to CIPC annual return deadlines and penalties and keep your beneficial ownership filing current.
Real-life scenario: comparing quotes in Pretoria
When Mandla decided to register his plumbing business, he collected three quotes: R985 from a well-known agency, R499 from a budget website (which excluded the CIPC fee and name reservation), and R275 all-in from Admin Boss. The budget option would have cost R674 once the excluded fees were added. Mandla chose the R275 package, received his COR14.3 certificate and tax number within the week, and spent the saving on his first set of tools branded with the new company name.
How to Choose the Right Option for You
Register yourself if…
You are comfortable with online forms, have time to manage rejections and resubmissions, and want to spend only the R125-R175 government fee. Start at BizPortal or CIPC eServices.
Use Admin Boss if…
You want it done correctly the first time, remotely, for R275 all-in – with your SARS tax number included and a human on WhatsApp if anything needs fixing. Complete the form below to start.
Start Your Registration
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does CIPC charge to register a company in 2026?
CIPC’s government fee is R125 to register a company without a name, or R175 if you include a name reservation. The name reservation on its own costs R50 for up to four proposed names. Always confirm current fees on cipc.co.za, as they can change.
What do company registration services charge in South Africa?
Most registration services charge between R449 and R1,450 once-off, depending on what is included. Admin Boss charges R275 all-in, which covers name reservation, the (Pty) Ltd registration, your COR14.3 certificate and your SARS tax number.
Are there ongoing costs after registering a company?
Yes. CIPC annual returns cost between R100 and R4,000 per year depending on turnover, and most companies budget for accounting or tax filing help. Beneficial ownership filing with CIPC is free.
Is it cheaper to register a company myself through CIPC?
The DIY route through CIPC eServices or BizPortal costs R125-R175 in government fees, but you handle the profile setup, name reservation, forms and any rejections yourself. A service like Admin Boss does everything for you for R275.
What hidden costs should I watch for when registering?
Watch for providers that quote a low headline price but exclude the CIPC fee, name reservation or SARS registration. Ask for the all-in price and confirm exactly which documents you will receive.
Related guides
Why correct registration matters
Mistakes to avoid
Tender-ready checklist
Company registration Johannesburg
Company registration Cape Town
Official Resources
More free tools and services from Admin Boss
Admin Boss is our parent brand for business admin, compliance and free tools for South African entrepreneurs:
Admin Boss – Business Admin Services
Share Certificates South Africa
Free Business Tools
Last reviewed: 22 September 2026 by Andre van Niekerk (Admin Boss). Fees mentioned are guideline figures – always confirm current CIPC and SARS fees on the official websites. This article is general information, not legal or financial advice.
Last reviewed: 2 October 2026 by the Admin Boss compliance team.
Checked against official South African sources – CIPC, SARS and the Companies Act 71 of 2008 – so the fees, deadlines and requirements on this page stay accurate for your business.
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