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

For all our services, you can sign up online or email us at [email protected]. A dedicated expert will walk 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 phone, an ID / Passport, and you must be 18 or older.

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 company 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 South Africa or BIPA Namibia. 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.

Shelf companies usually do not come with pre-established bank accounts. However, many reputable companies that sell shelf companies provide referral services to connect you with partner banks, making the account opening process more straightforward. This can save you significant time and effort compared to setting up a bank account on your own. GFI facilitates this through its long-standing relationships with several prominent banks in South Africa and Namibia.