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A Shelf Company is a PTY or CC that has already been registered at the CIPC. It’s a blank slate because it’s a registered company that hasn’t been used before.

Here is a quick guide on how to buy a Shelf Company in South Africa.

• Get a Company Registration Number within 24 hours to apply for Tenders, Contracts, RFQs or Financing right away.

The speed is the biggest advantage. You can get a brand-new Company and a Company Registration number within one day when you buy a Instant Company. CIPC Company Registration usually takes about one workweek. You can save even more time if you buy a Instant Company that’s also registered at other authorities like SARS or the Workman’s Compensation Fund. These registrations usually add more waiting time.

• Get an older company registration number.
• It’s the fastest and the simplest way to get the new Company to trade immediately.

A Instant Company is a legally registered CIPC Company, that may be registered for other things like VAT or COID. This means it cuts out a lot of energy and time-consuming administration work you need to do if you start from scratch, with a normal Company Registration.

Check out this Shelf Company infographic on the 6 Reasons it’s better to have an older company registration number.

You might also want to learn more about the growth opportunities Shelf Corporations provide to South Africans. 

We break down how our Shelf Companies for Sale can assist with your business tax.

Keep in mind that we have limited stock on every type of Instant Company.

For all our services, you can either sign up online or you can call our Toll-Free number, 0800 007 269. A dedicated expert will talk you through the online sign-up process, your different Shelf Company options, and the costs of each.

Everything is 100% online. All you need is an internet connection, a laptop or a phone, a South African address, an ID / Passport and you need to be 18 or older.

Need a Specialized Shelf Company? See our packages above, pick your perfect package.

You can also visit our Pretoria or our Cape Town offices when you make an appointment, but it’s not necessary. We have a sophisticated online system that helps us support you 100% online. 

You can buy a Instant Company from anyone who sells registered Shelf Companies, however, it’s important to trust the organisation you buy from. We have hundreds of reviews and we’ve been supporting South African entrepreneurs for over 14 years with more than 120 business services. Learn more.

Instant Companies with Registrations such as VAT, Import and Export, Tax Clearance and more.

Need a VAT or Import and Export Registration, etc. as soon as possible? Here are some options that’ll offer you this from the get-go.

Sign up: click here or call 0800 007 269 toll-free.

Here are some basic to advanced questions about Shelf Corporations in SA. Simply scroll to the question you’d like an answer to and open up the tab.

1. What are Shelf Corporations in SA (a more in-depth definition)?
2. What are Shelf Companies for?
3. Why are Instant Companies better
4. How are Shelf Corporations and normal Companies different?
5. Are Shelf Companies different than normal companies
6. Why is an older Company Company better?
7. Where is the best place to buy Shelf Companies in SA
8. What are the requirements of Shelf Companies in SA?

Remember that we have a team of over 50+ experts who can answer your questions regarding Shelf Companies on the phone.

If it’s within our office hours, you can call this toll-free number 0800 007 269. If it’s not, book a free consultation call or send us an email.

The best way to describe is a Shelf Company in South Africa, is a CIPC-registered company (usually a Pty Company) that you can buy “off the shelf”. “Off the shelf” means an organization has already registered a Pty at the CIPC, keeping it “on the shelf” until an entrepreneur needs it.

Businessmen and women usually buy Shelf Companies when they need a company registration number ASAP.

We break down in 4 steps how to purchase a Shelf Company in South Africa including some expert tips.

There’s no structural difference in Instant and normal business. The only difference is that a Shelf Corporation is a normal PTY or CC that has already been registered. That means it already has a CIPC registration number and a registered name. It’s usually a very generic name, like for example SA Industries or ABC Construction. That’s because the organisation who sells the shelf company wants it to be a name that’s easy to use.

Yes. It’s very easy and fast to change a company’s name. It’s a quick administrative process you need to do at the CIPC. We include a free name change in all our Shelf Corporation services. The PTY / CC registration number always stays the same.

Legally a Pty Shelf Corporation is just like a normal Pty Company. So structurally it’s not better or worse in any way. However, an older company registration number may be beneficial in certain cases. Furthermore, you can start trading immediately without waiting for registration.

The basic requirements of a Shelf Corporation are the same as the basic requirements of a Pty Company:

You need:

• To be 18 or older;
• A South African address;
• And have a South African ID or a Passport of the country you’re a resident in.

If you’re considering a Shelf Corporation in SA that have other particular registrations, like COID or VAT, there might be additional requirements.

No, shelf companies typically do not come with pre-established bank accounts. However, most reputable companies selling shelf companies offer referral services to connect you with partner banks and streamline the account opening process. This saves you valuable time and effort compared to setting up a bank account entirely on your own. Company Partners offer the aforesaid through its long standing relationships with several of the prominent South African banks.

No, shelf companies are dormant entities that have never traded and therefore have no existing financial history. This provides a clean slate for you to start your business without inheriting any past financial obligations or liabilities

Updating a shelf company with your desired changes (change of Directors, company name, address etc) typically takes 5-7 working days. However, the exact timeframe can vary depending on the workload at the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) and the timeliness of your document submission.

Yes, absolutely! While shelf companies initially have generic names or the registration number, you can choose and register your own unique company name upon purchase. This allows for greater branding control and personalization of your business identity.

Shelf companies are generally registered with a “not restricted” industry classification. This means you have the flexibility to adapt the company to your specific business sector without needing to request additional changes or approvals.

Notwithstanding, Company Partners can assist with Shelf Companies which have preregistered industry specific compliance (subject to availability).

Yes, it’s crucial to declare any changes in ownership and beneficial ownership to the CIPC within 10 days of acquiring the company. This includes providing information about all individuals who hold more than 5% of the company’s shares or have significant control over its operations. Failing to comply with this regulation can result in penalties and legal repercussions.

No, a South African address is mandatory for foreigners to be appointed as directors of a South African company. This requirement exists for additional registrations and identification purposes. Additionally, a South African address is a prerequisite for opening a bank account for your company within the country.