.za Domain: South Africa ccTLD Guide

Updated October 2026

.za is the country-code top-level domain for South Africa.

Overview

Extension.za

Country or territory

South Africa

RegionAfrica

RegistryZA Central Registry (ZACR)

Who can registerOpen worldwide

TypeNational country code

South African businesses and individuals use it, almost always under .co.za, for local commercial websites.

The .za domain was introduced on 7 November 1990. It is regulated by the .za Domain Name Authority (ZADNA), while the ZA Central Registry (ZACR) runs the registry. Most registered names sit under .co.za.

Names are registered at the third level, beneath second-level labels rather than directly under .za. These include .co.za for general use, .org.za mainly for non-commercial entities, .net.za mainly for network providers and .web.za for general use, alongside restricted labels such as .ac.za, .gov.za, .mil.za and .school.za.

Restrictions vary by label, and .co.za has none. Disputes are handled through the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) process under ZADNA's framework. Some labels are on hold or pending, for example .tm.za is on hold and new .ngo.za registrations await a consultation.

Registration is placed through accredited registrars. Transfers do not need an authorisation code, take five to ten days and must be confirmed by the registrant through a registry email.

Who can register

There is no residency requirement, and .co.za is unrestricted. Other second-level labels such as .org.za, .ac.za and .gov.za have their own eligibility rules.

Second-level endings: Also .co.za, .org.za, .net.za, .web.za.

Rules and prices change. This summary is general information, not legal advice: confirm the current policy with the registry before you buy. The registry's website is registry.net.za. The official record for .za is in the IANA root zone database.

Before you buy a .za name

Check the renewal price as well as the first-year price. Our cost calculator shows what a name really costs over time.
Make sure you meet the eligibility rules yourself, without relying on a trustee if you can avoid it.
Search for trademarks and for the same name in .com.
Say the name out loud: will people type it correctly?

Weighing up a specific .za name? TLD.is gives an AI appraisal that explains a name's strengths and weaknesses.

Frequently asked questions

What country is .za?

.za is the country-code top-level domain for South Africa.

Who runs the .za domain?

The .za registry is managed by ZA Central Registry (ZACR).

Can I register a .za domain from another country?

There is no residency requirement, and .co.za is unrestricted. Other second-level labels such as .org.za, .ac.za and .gov.za have their own eligibility rules.

Does Google treat .za as a country domain?

Yes. Google normally treats .za as a signal that a site targets South Africa.