Patent renewal fees in South Africa: costs, due dates and grace period
You pay patent renewals in South Africa to the CIPC, in ZAR, up to year 20. The schedule starts at your third filing anniversary, granted or not. Miss a due date and you get a 6-month grace period, with a surcharge that starts at 90 ZAR and climbs to 340 ZAR.
What are the patent renewal due dates in South Africa?
South Africa counts annuities from the filing date, and the amount depends on which patent year you are entering. A due date can arrive while the application is still pending.
The first renewal falls due at your third filing anniversary, payable to the CIPC.
For example, if the filing date is 2020-02-01, the first renewal will be due by 2023-02-01.
Every later annuity falls due on the anniversary of the filing date, each year, until year 20.
For example, if the filing date was on September 9, then all subsequent annuities will be due on September 9 each year.
Official patent renewal fees by year in South Africa
Official fees payable to the CIPC, by patent year, in ZAR.
| Year | Official fee (ZAR) | ≈ USD | Cumulative (ZAR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | — | — | — |
| 2 | — | — | — |
| 3 | — | — | — |
| 4 | 130 | $8 | 130 |
| 5 | 130 | $8 | 260 |
| 6 | 130 | $8 | 390 |
| 7 | 85 | $5 | 475 |
| 8 | 85 | $5 | 560 |
| 9 | 100 | $6 | 660 |
| 10 | 100 | $6 | 760 |
| 11 | 120 | $7 | 880 |
| 12 | 120 | $7 | 1,000 |
| 13 | 145 | $9 | 1,145 |
| 14 | 145 | $9 | 1,290 |
| 15 | 164 | $10 | 1,454 |
| 16 | 164 | $10 | 1,618 |
| 17 | 181 | $11 | 1,799 |
| 18 | 181 | $11 | 1,980 |
| 19 | 206 | $13 | 2,186 |
| 20 | 206 | $13 | 2,392 |
| Full term · years 4–20 | 2,392 | $149 | 2,392 |
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Missed a patent renewal deadline in South Africa?
A six-month grace period runs from the day after the due date. You can still pay the renewal fee with a surcharge that starts at 90 ZAR and climbs to 340 ZAR, and the patent continues without interruption. Once the grace period closes, the patent lapses.
If you miss a renewal due date of 15 March 2026, the patent enters the grace period on 16 March 2026. Settle the renewal fee and the surcharge by 15 September 2026 to keep the patent in force.
Patent renewal fees in other jurisdictions
The same schedule, deadlines and grace rules, in the jurisdictions we are asked about most.
Looking for a different jurisdiction?
Patents, trademarks and designs in other countries and regions.
Other IP renewals in South Africa
Patents aren't the only rights that lapse without renewal. South Africa also protects trademarks and designs. Each on its own schedule and fee scale.
Trademarks
Designs
Renewal terms and official fees for registered industrial designs in South Africa.
1. What do I pay while the application is pending?
The same annuities you pay after grant. South Africa starts the schedule at your third filing anniversary, and it runs whether or not the office has granted your patent by then.
2. When can I pay the renewal fee?
Whenever you like. In South Africa, you can settle renewal fees at any time and pay several annuities together in one go.
3. Can I renew a patent after missing a due date?
Yes. You get a 6-month grace period, starting the day after you miss the due date. Pay the renewal fee plus a surcharge inside that window and your patent stays in force. It starts at 90 ZAR and climbs to 340 ZAR by the end of the window. Miss the window too and the patent lapses.
4. How long does a patent last?
Up to 20 years from the filing date, as long as you pay every annuity on time. Stop paying and it lapses at the end of the grace period that follows the last due date.
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