CIPC re-instatement · restore a deregistered company
Company reinstatement in South Africa
Has CIPC deregistered your company? We check whether it can be reinstated, then manage the re-instatement application and the outstanding compliance needed to bring it back to “in business” — for eligible companies, subject to CIPC's requirements.
- Compliance Focused
- Clear Process
- POPIA Conscious
- Professional Support
Company Reinstatement Assessment
Afri-Cafe service fee
R395
Once-off · credited if you proceed within 30 days
Company Reinstatement
R1,495
Once-off · + R295 per additional outstanding year · CIPC fees separate
Government fee
- R200 · CIPC
- Per year, by turnover · CIPC
Has your company been deregistered?
CIPC starts deregistering a company or close corporation when two or more successive annual returns are outstanding. It notifies the company by email only, using the contact details on CIPC's records — so many owners only find out when a bank, SARS, a client or the Central Supplier Database refuses to deal with the business.
Reinstatement (sometimes called restoration) is CIPC's process for putting an eligible deregistered company back on the register with its original registration number. It is a two-step process: CIPC first processes the re-instatement application, and the company is only fully reinstated once all outstanding annual returns, the latest beneficial ownership declaration and financial statements (AFS or FAS) have been filed.
Who needs it
- Owners whose company was deregistered by CIPC for outstanding annual returns
- Businesses refused service by a bank, SARS, CSD or a client because of the company's status
- Companies with contracts, assets or a trading history that make keeping the original registration worthwhile
Which situation is your company in?
The right route depends on your company's CIPC status. We confirm the status before recommending anything.
| CIPC status / situation | What it means | What happens next |
|---|---|---|
| In business | The company is active on CIPC's register. | No reinstatement needed. Keep annual returns and beneficial ownership up to date to stay that way. |
| AR Deregistration (in process) | CIPC has started deregistering the company for outstanding annual returns, but it is not yet finally deregistered. | Act quickly. We assess what is outstanding and how to bring the company up to date before final deregistration. |
| AR Final Deregistered | CIPC finally deregistered the company because annual returns remained outstanding. | Reinstatement may be possible if the company was in business or had economic value when it was deregistered. Eligibility is assessed first. |
| Deregistration / Final Deregistered (voluntary) | The company was deregistered following its own voluntary deregistration application. | Treated differently from annual-return deregistration. We assess the circumstances and advise on the options, which may include a court process. |
| Status or reason unclear | You're not sure of the status or why the company was deregistered. | Start with an assessment. We check the company's CIPC record and explain what applies. |
Requirements and documents
When reinstatement is possible
- CIPC only reinstates a company by application (Form CoR40.5) if it was in business or had other economic value when it was finally deregistered
- Evidence of that must be kept — CIPC may ask for it at any time, and may withdraw the reinstatement if it can't be provided
- If a creditor or another party needs the company reinstated, CIPC requires a court order instead
- If the company was not in business at deregistration, CIPC's guidance is to register a new company
Documents and information we'll need
- The company's registration number and current CIPC status
- Details of the directors or members (they confirm the reinstatement on CIPC's system)
- Certified ID copies where CIPC requires them (certification not older than three months)
- Your mandate for us to file on the company's behalf
- Turnover for each outstanding annual-return year
- Beneficial ownership information and financial statements (AFS) or a financial accountability supplement (FAS) for the outstanding years
- Evidence that the company was in business at deregistration — kept on file in case CIPC asks for it
What we handle — and what the authority handles
Afri-Cafe is an independent administration partner. We are not CIPC and cannot make decisions on its behalf.
Afri-Cafe handles
- Checking the company's CIPC status and the reason for deregistration
- Assessing whether reinstatement is the right route — or whether a new company makes more sense
- Identifying every outstanding annual return and the CIPC fees involved
- Preparing and filing the CoR40.5 re-instatement application online
- Filing the outstanding annual returns and beneficial ownership declaration within CIPC's deadline
- Coordinating financial statements (AFS/FAS) with an accountant where needed
- Tracking the company until its status is back to “in business”
CIPC handles
- Processing the re-instatement application
- Calculating the annual-return fees and penalties owed
- Changing the company's status to “in business” once all outstanding filings are complete
- Requesting evidence of economic activity at any time
Fees
Our service fee and the government fee are shown separately, so you always know what goes to the authority.
| Fee | Amount | Paid to |
|---|---|---|
| Company Reinstatement Assessment | R395 Once-off · credited if you proceed within 30 days | Afri-Cafe |
| Company ReinstatementReinstatement assistance for eligible companies deregistered by CIPC, including coordinating the outstanding annual returns and beneficial ownership needed to complete it. | R1,495 Once-off · + R295 per additional outstanding year · CIPC fees separate | Afri-Cafe |
| CIPC re-instatement application (Form CoR40.5)Paid to CIPC when the application is filed online. | R200 | CIPC |
| CIPC fee for each outstanding annual returnFor companies: R100–R3,000 per year if filed on time, R150–R4,000 per year when late (for example R150 for turnover under R1 million). CIPC calculates the total during the application. | Per year, by turnover | CIPC |
| Financial statements (AFS/FAS) for outstanding yearsOnly if they haven't already been prepared. Depends on the number of years and the company's records. | Quoted per case | Afri-Cafe / partner accountant |
Government fees are set by the authority and can change. We confirm the applicable amount with you before anything is paid.
How it works
The process, step by step
- STEP 01
Status check
We confirm the company's CIPC status and why it was deregistered.
- STEP 02
Eligibility assessment
We assess whether reinstatement is possible and worthwhile, and estimate the costs.
- STEP 03
Outstanding compliance
We list every outstanding annual return, the beneficial ownership declaration and financial statements needed.
- STEP 04
Application filed
We file the CoR40.5 online once you approve. Directors confirm it on CIPC's system.
- STEP 05
Complete within 30 business days
We file all outstanding annual returns, BO and AFS/FAS within CIPC's deadline until the status is “in business”.
Reinstatement decisions and processing times are CIPC's — Afri-Cafe cannot guarantee that a company will be reinstated or how long CIPC will take. Once the application is processed, CIPC requires all outstanding annual returns, the latest beneficial ownership declaration and financial statements (AFS/FAS) to be filed within 30 business days, or the company returns to its deregistered status. That is why we prepare the outstanding filings before the application goes in.
Common problems we help you avoid
Missing CIPC's 30-day window
If the outstanding filings aren't completed within 30 business days, the company goes back to deregistered.
No proof of activity
Without evidence the company was in business at deregistration, CIPC can withdraw the reinstatement.
Financial statements not ready
Every outstanding year needs AFS or a FAS. Preparing them takes time, so start early.
Outdated contact details
CIPC sends deregistration notices by email. Old details mean the warnings were never seen.
Where to go from here
Related services
- Company registration
If reinstatement isn't possible or worthwhile, start a new company instead.
- Business compliance services
Annual returns, beneficial ownership and SARS registrations to keep the company compliant.
- CSD registration
Update your supplier record once the company is back in business.
- Compare business compliance packages
Compliance packages for companies that are already registered.
Company Reinstatement Assessment: frequently asked questions
Why was my company deregistered?
The most common reason is outstanding annual returns: CIPC starts deregistration when two or more successive annual returns are outstanding. A company can also be deregistered after its own voluntary application. The company's CIPC status shows which applies.
Can every deregistered company be reinstated?
No. CIPC only reinstates a company by application if it was in business or had other economic value when it was finally deregistered. Where a creditor or another party needs it reinstated, a court order is required. We assess eligibility before you pay for an application.
What does CIPC charge?
CIPC charges R200 for the re-instatement application, plus the fee for each outstanding annual return, which depends on turnover and is higher when filed late. CIPC calculates the total during the application. Afri-Cafe's service fee is separate.
What does Afri-Cafe charge?
We start with a R395 assessment of your company's status, eligibility and outstanding filings, credited against the reinstatement service if you proceed within 30 days. The reinstatement service is R1,495, plus R295 for each additional outstanding year. CIPC's fees are separate.
Do the outstanding annual returns really all have to be filed?
Yes. The company is only fully reinstated once all outstanding annual returns, the latest beneficial ownership declaration and financial statements (AFS/FAS) are filed — and CIPC allows 30 business days after processing the application.
Can the company trade while it's deregistered?
CIPC explains that deregistration withdraws the company's legal personality, and that banks, government departments and others may refuse to deal with it. Directors and members active at deregistration may be held liable for debts. Take professional advice on your specific situation.
Should I register a new company instead?
Sometimes. If the company wasn't in business at deregistration, CIPC's guidance is to register a new one. If it has a trading history, contracts or assets, keeping the original registration through reinstatement is usually worth assessing first.
Check if my company can be reinstated
Send us a few details and we'll confirm what's needed, the applicable government fee and the next steps.