B-BBEE compliance and invoicing
How B-BBEE status relates to supplying other businesses, and what a supplier usually provides besides the invoice.
Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) is governed by the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act 53 of 2003, as amended, and the Codes of Good Practice. Businesses are grouped by turnover. An Exempt Micro Enterprise (EME) has annual turnover of R10 million or less. A Qualifying Small Enterprise (QSE) has turnover above R10 million up to R50 million. A generic enterprise has turnover above R50 million. An EME can usually confirm its status with a sworn affidavit, while larger enterprises use a verification agency accredited by SANAS. No law requires every business to hold a certificate, but customers such as government bodies and large companies often ask suppliers for one, because their own scorecards count what they buy. Your B-BBEE status is separate from your invoice. 4invoices does not manage B-BBEE certificates or show B-BBEE levels; you provide those documents to your customers yourself.
- EME: turnover R10 million or less. QSE: above R10 million up to R50 million. Generic: above R50 million.
- EMEs can usually use a sworn affidavit; larger enterprises use a SANAS-accredited verification agency.
- Customers often ask suppliers for a certificate or affidavit at onboarding.
- 4invoices does not store B-BBEE certificates or levels.
How it works
Find your category. Compare your annual turnover with the EME, QSE and generic thresholds in the Codes of Good Practice.
Obtain proof of status. An EME prepares a sworn affidavit. A QSE or generic enterprise uses an accredited verification agency to issue a certificate.
Supply it to customers. Customers with supplier portals usually ask you to upload the certificate or affidavit. Certificates carry an expiry date, so renew before it lapses.
Keep invoicing separate. Your invoices follow the VAT Act content rules; the B-BBEE document goes to the customer through their onboarding process.
Check current rules. Thresholds and the Codes can change, so confirm on the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition website.
Legal references
- Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act 53 of 2003, as amended.
- Codes of Good Practice on Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment.
- South African National Accreditation System (SANAS) - accreditation of B-BBEE verification agencies.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a B-BBEE certificate to trade in South Africa?
No law requires every business to have one. In practice, government bodies and large companies often ask suppliers for a certificate or affidavit.
What is the difference between an EME, a QSE and a generic enterprise?
They are grouped by annual turnover: an EME has R10 million or less, a QSE has more than R10 million up to R50 million, and a generic enterprise has more than R50 million. The scorecard and verification requirements differ.
How does an EME prove its status?
Usually with a sworn affidavit setting out its turnover and ownership. Some EMEs prefer a certificate from a verification agency because some customer portals expect one.
Does 4invoices show my B-BBEE level on invoices?
No. 4invoices does not store B-BBEE certificates or levels and has no supplier portal integrations. It creates invoices with the tax rate on each line and a PDF download. Send your B-BBEE documents to customers separately.