How do I pay money into my CIPC account?

Managing your Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) account is essential for ensuring your business remains compliant. Whether you’re filing annual returns, making changes to shareholding, or processing other transactions, funding your CIPC account is a necessary step. In this guide, we’ll explain the various payment methods available and offer tips to ensure smooth processing.

1. Debit or Credit Card Payments

CIPC accepts 3D secure-enabled Visa and Mastercard payments. This method is ideal for transactions like:

  • Annual returns
  • Authorized share changes

To pay:

  1. Log in to your CIPC account.
  2. Select the service you want to pay for.
  3. Use your 3D secure-enabled card to complete the transaction.

Funds are allocated instantly, making this a quick and efficient option.

2. Direct Deposit or Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)

If you prefer direct payments, you can use EFT or make a deposit into CIPC’s ABSA bank account.

  • Use your six-character customer code as the payment reference.
  • Funds are usually reflected in your CIPC account within an hour if you bank with ABSA.
  • Transfers from other banks may take 2–3 working days.

On December 5, 2022, CIPC phased out EFT for electronic transactions. However, you can still use EFTs for manual transactions, such as document submissions.

3. APSA Payments (ATM and Online Banking)

APSA allows payments through:

  • ATMs
  • Online banking

To use this method:

  1. Make a payment to CIPC’s ABSA account.
  2. Enter your customer code as the payment reference.

Payments via APSA typically reflect in your CIPC account within 30 minutes.

Best Practices for Payment

  1. Always use the correct reference:
    Ensure your customer code is entered accurately. Incorrect references may result in delays, as the CIPC won’t be able to allocate the funds to your account.
  2. Double-check payment details:
    Before completing the transaction, confirm that all details (such as the account number and amount) are correct.
  3. Allow sufficient processing time:
    If you’re paying close to a deadline, consider using instant payment methods like debit/credit cards to avoid delays.