“The company’s registered capital is only 100,000. Can we run Takealot?”

“The company was just registered three months ago. Do I have to wait six months before I can apply?”

“I mainly sell on Temu and Shein. I don’t have an Amazon store—can I still apply to join?”

Every day, sellers ask these questions. And the answers often disappoint them.

On July 1, 2026, Takealot’s Hong Kong Business Development Team officially implemented the new merchant onboarding policy—Three mandatory requirements—a registered capital of no less than 350,000 RMB, a company that has been in operation for at least six months, and a link to a cross-border platform store operated by the same entity—have been tightened all at once.

A large number of sellers who had originally planned to test the waters in South Africa were shut out.

Not sure if your qualifications meet the new regulations? Add us on WeChat: qcygscszk, and include “Qualification Assessment” in the message to receive a free analysis. 

Three "Red Lines" in the New Policy: Which One Have You Crossed?

Requirement 1: Registered capital ≥ 350,000 RMB

It's not a suggestion; it'smandatory requirement. Whether a Chinese entity establishes a direct presence or an overseas entity is linked to a Chinese entity, the registered capital of the linked Chinese company must exceed 350,000 RMB.

Profile of Sellers Barred from Entering::

• Light-asset sellers who register their stores using “10,000-yuan companies” (with a registered capital of 100,000 yuan or less)
• Sole proprietorships do not have the concept of registered capital.
• Companies with a subscribed but unpaid registered capital of 0

Red Line 2: The company must have been in existence for at least 6 months

Newly registered companies and studios that have just received their business licenses,Does not meet the eligibility requirements for admission.

This means that all the “quick strategies”—such as “spotting a trend, immediately registering a company, and applying for platform access at the same time”—have become ineffective. The mandatory waiting period of at least six months has fundamentally altered the pace at which sellers enter the market.

Red Line 3: Links to third-party platform stores operated by the same entity

You must provide a link to your store on the cross-border platform that matches the name of the registered entity, and the products listed on the storefront must be in a normal, available-for-sale status.

Accredited platforms include: Amazon, Cdiscount, Walmart, Fruugo, eBay, Mercado Libre, Allegro, and others.

Platforms that are explicitly not recognized: Taobao, Tmall, Temu, Ozon, etc.

The Three Most Common Scenarios in Which Links Are Rejected::

• I mainly sell on Temu and Shein; I don't have a store on traditional cross-border e-commerce platforms.
• The company entity does not match the entity in the store's admin panel
• The company name is not displayed on the store's front page

Three Types of Non-Compliant Sellers: What Are Their Options?

Option 1: Obtain the necessary qualifications and apply to open a cross-border store

Applicable Scenarios: The company has been established for less than six months and has links to cross-border online stores such as Amazon, but its registered capital does not yet meet the required threshold.

Directions: Wait until the company meets the two requirements—“6 months and 350,000 in registered capital”—before applying. In the meantime, prepare the store links, organize the product lineup, and develop pricing strategies to shorten the preparation period for joining the platform.

This path is suitable for: Sellers who have plenty of time and are in no rush to list their items.

Option 2: Change the legal entity and affiliate with a compliant company

Applicable Scenarios: I have several business entities, one of which meets the qualification requirements.

Directions: Replace non-compliant companies with compliant ones as the entities operating the stores. Ensure that the compliant companies have active cross-border platform store links under their names.

Attention: A change in the legal entity involves subsequent procedures such as linking to future payments, tax registration, and brand licensing, and must be planned in advance.

Option 3 (Recommended): Focus on Local South African Stores

Applicable Scenarios: The company's registered capital, date of establishment, and store link do not meet the requirements, but we are willing to make a long-term commitment.

Route: Register a local company in South Africa → Open a local bank account → Apply for a Takealot local store as a local company.

Three Key Advantages:

• No domestic qualification requirements: No requirement for a domestic company to have been in operation for at least 6 months, a registered capital of 350,000, or a link to a third-party cross-border online store
• Platform Traffic Allocation: Local stores rank significantly higher in search results and have access to more promotional resources
• Greater profit margins: Lower collection costs and higher conversion rates

Cross-Border Stores vs. Local Stores: Key Differences

If your qualifications do not meet the requirements for a cross-border store, a domestic store is currently the most reliable way to enter the market.

Not sure which path is right for you? Feel free to contact us anytime:

📱 WeChat: qcygscszk
📞 Phone: 18676749275

When submitting your application, please include the note “Qualification Assessment” to receive one free assessment of your onboarding process.

About

Headquartered in Shenzhen, Qicaiying Group has established branches in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Hong Kong, the United States, South Africa, and Southeast Asia since its founding in 2015. It currently hasA professional team of more than 400 people(math.) genusWe have served more than 500,000+ businesses to dateThe

For Takealot sellers, we offerEnd-to-End, One-Stop Services for the South African Market::

• South African Company Registration: No need to visit in person; certificates issued within 15 business days; genuine business address provided
• Opening a Bank Account with a Local Bank in South Africa: In-depth collaboration with FNB bank managers to open accounts through official channels
• Takealot Opens Its First Local Store: Officially authorized channel; local store-to-store delivery as fast as 1–2 days; approval rate: 95%+
• VAT Registration and Filing: Local South African accounting firm, monthly/annual compliance filings
• bookkeeping and tax preparation: A team of professional accountants handles monthly bookkeeping and annual tax filings
• South Africa Overseas Warehouse Services: A local overseas warehouse in Johannesburg, just a 10-minute drive from the official Takealot warehouse
• 120-Day Hands-On Coaching Program: 2-day in-person boot camp + 120 days of one-on-one operational guidance

Our Core Strengths:

✅ Local Entities in South Africa—We have a physical tax and financial services office in Johannesburg, staffed by a permanent team working on-site.

✅ Official Authorized Channels—Official Takealot Business Partnership Program, 95%+ Approval Rate

✅ financial security—All documents must be signed by the customer in person, and the bank card will be mailed directly to the customer.

✅ A Hands-On Team— Extensive experience managing a multi-store portfolio on Takealot

✅ End-to-End Closed-Loop—A one-stop, all-inclusive package, from company registration to operational support

📱 WeChat: qcygscszk
📞 Phone: 18676749275