Good Standing certificates in Namibia
The three certificates tenders and banks ask for, what each one proves, how to get them, and what to fix when one is refused.
"Good Standing" in Namibia means three separate certificates: one from BIPA, one from NamRA and one from the Social Security Commission. Each confirms you owe that body nothing.
Tenders, banks, licence renewals and some permit applications ask for them, and they want them recent.
A certificate can only be issued if the account behind it is clean, so the real work is keeping annual duty, tax returns and contributions up to date.
The three certificates, side by side
| Certificate | Issued by | Confirms | Blocked by |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIPA Good Standing | Business and Intellectual Property Authority | The CC or company is active and its annual duty is paid | Unpaid annual duty, outstanding annual filings, deregistration proceedings |
| NamRA Good Standing (often called tax good standing or tax clearance) | Namibia Revenue Agency | You are registered for tax and your returns and payments are up to date | Missing returns, unpaid tax, penalties or interest, unfiled VAT or PAYE declarations |
| Social Security Good Standing | Social Security Commission | You are registered as an employer and contributions are paid | Unregistered employees, missed monthly contributions |
Who asks for Good Standing certificates
- Tenders. Almost every public tender in Namibia asks for all three, current at the closing date. Missing or lapsed certificates are the most common reason a bid is disqualified. See how to tender in Namibia.
- Banks, when opening a business account or reviewing an existing one.
- Licence renewals and regulators, such as tourism and financial services registrations.
- Large clients doing supplier vetting before they put you on their books.
How long are they valid?
Each certificate shows your status on the day it was issued. How recent it must be is set by whoever is asking, not by the certificate: many tenders want certificates issued within the last few months, and some state an exact window. Always check the date against the closing date of the tender, not against today.
How to get each one
BIPA Good Standing
Make sure your BIPA annual duty is paid for the current year and your details are up to date, then request the certificate from BIPA. If annual duty has been missed, it must be paid first, with any penalties. If a business has been deregistered for non-payment, it has to be restored before a certificate can be issued.
NamRA Good Standing
Your business must be registered for tax and every return that is due must be filed and paid, including VAT and PAYE if you are registered for them. NamRA checks the account and issues the certificate when it is clean. If there are gaps, the fastest route is to file what is missing first.
Social Security Good Standing
You must be registered with the Social Security Commission as an employer, with your employees registered and monthly contributions paid. Missed months must be brought up to date before the certificate is issued.
"They will not issue my certificate": common causes
- An old year of annual duty was never paid, sometimes from before the current owners took over.
- A dormant business never filed nil returns. No income does not mean no returns.
- The business was never registered with Social Security because it had no staff at first, and then hired.
- Details differ between BIPA, NamRA and Social Security, such as an old address or a former member still listed.
We see these every week. Tell us what was refused and we will tell you what has to be fixed first.
What it costs with us
We request and collect the certificates for you, so you never queue.
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| BIPA, NamRA or Social Security Good Standing (each) | N$300 |
| Tender Readiness Pack: all three Good Standings plus your SME certificate | N$750 |
| Annual compliance plan: annual duty filed and Good Standings kept current all year | From N$9,600 a year |
Frequently asked questions
What is a Good Standing certificate in Namibia?
It is a certificate confirming that your business has met its obligations to the body that issues it. In practice there are three: BIPA (annual duty paid, entity active), NamRA (tax returns and payments up to date) and the Social Security Commission (employer registration and contributions paid).
How long is a Good Standing certificate valid in Namibia?
A certificate shows your status on the day it was issued. How recent it must be is set by whoever asks for it; many tenders want certificates issued within the last few months. Always check the date against the tender's closing date.
How do I get a NamRA Good Standing certificate?
Your business must be registered for tax with every due return filed and paid, including VAT and PAYE where you are registered for them. NamRA issues the certificate once the account is clean. If there are gaps, file what is missing first.
How do I get a BIPA Good Standing certificate?
Pay your BIPA annual duty for the current year, with any arrears and penalties, and make sure your details are up to date, then request the certificate. A deregistered business must be restored first.
Why will NamRA or BIPA not issue my Good Standing certificate?
The usual causes are an old year of unpaid annual duty, missing nil returns from a dormant period, staff who were never registered with Social Security, or details that differ between BIPA, NamRA and Social Security.
How much does a Good Standing certificate cost with Chrimson?
Each Good Standing certificate is N$300. The Tender Readiness Pack, with all three Good Standings plus an SME certificate, is N$750.
Need help registering your business in Namibia?
Chrimson Consultants handles company registration, BIPA compliance, NAMRA tax registration, and tender-readiness for Namibian businesses. Contact us today.