South African national phase patent applications must be renewed annually from the third anniversary of the PCT filing date.

Tip: Save about 70% on South African patent renewal fees by paying all 17 South African patent renewals upfront. This will also shield you against future increases in official patent renewal fees.

We automatically upload your South African national phase patent to the PayAnnuity patent renewal system.

The PayAnnuity renewal system emails patent renewal reminders 6 months, 3 months and 1 month before each renewal deadline. To pay patent renewals, login to the PayAnnuity renewal system, instruct the renewal online and pay by credit card. Estimated South African patent renewal cost: US$60‐75 pa.

If a South African patent renewal is not paid by the deadline, the renewal may still be paid during a 6‐month grace period. Estimated late payment penalty: US$25‐50.

If a South African patent renewal is not paid by the end of the grace period, the patent will finally lapse. Finally lapsed patents may be "restored". To restore a finally lapsed patent, you need to show:

• that failure to pay the renewal was not intentional (note: lack of funds is not a valid excuse); and
• no undue delay in applying for restoration after becoming aware of the lapse.

The estimated cost of restoration is US$550.

Upon restoration, historical unpaid renewals must be paid.