CIPC Business Statuses – South Africa

Active / Compliant Status

• In Business

The company is registered and has submitted all required annual returns.

Deregistration-Related Statuses

These relate to non-compliance with annual return (AR) submissions:

• AR Deregistration Process

• The company failed to submit annual returns for 2 consecutive years. CIPC has sent warnings but the company is not yet fully deregistered.

• AR Final Deregistration
  • The final step in the AR non-compliance process. The company is now officially deregistered by CIPC.
• AR Restoration / Business Restoration
  • A previously deregistered company applies to be restored to the register. This involves penalties and compliance updates.

Structural Change Statuses

Reflect conversion or legal structure changes:

• Conversion

The company has changed from one entity type to another (e.g., from CC to Pty Ltd). A new registration number is typically issued.

Voluntary Deregistration

• Deregistration

The company voluntarily requested to be deregistered (e.g., ceased operations or resolved internally by the directors).

 Liquidation Statuses

Indicate financial distress or court action:

• Liquidation – Voluntary
  • Initiated by the company itself due to insolvency or internal agreement to wind down.
• Liquidation – Court / Compulsory / Provisional
  • Initiated by a creditor or legal process due to non-payment or judgement.
• Liquidation Application
  • A legal request has been submitted, but liquidation is not yet final. Appears in records like Trade Shield/Inoxico until resolved.

Business Rescue

• Business Rescue

The company is in financial distress and has entered into a legally supervised rehabilitation process. May include restructuring or operational changes.