Domain Redemption Policy (ZA Central Registry)
On 1 December 2012, the ZA Central Registry (ZACR) implemented a Domain Redemption Phase to manage expired domain names more effectively.
What is Domain Redemption?
Domain Redemption is a final opportunity to recover a domain name after it has expired and gone through the standard deletion process. This phase is designed to give domain owners a last chance to reinstate their domains before they are permanently released for public registration.
⚠️ Important:
It is crucial to renew your domain before it expires to avoid incurring additional recovery fees.
Lifecycle of an Expired Domain
Once a domain name expires, it follows a structured process:
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Domain Expiry: The domain is not renewed by the expiration date.
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Pending Suspension Phase
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Pending Deletion Phase
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Closed Redemption Phase
The domain enters this phase after the deletion cycle. It is no longer active, but it can still be recovered, at a cost.
Closed Redemption Fees
If you wish to reinstate a domain during the Closed Redemption Phase, the following fees apply:
| Domain Type | Redemption Fee |
|---|---|
| .ZA Domains (.co.za, .org.za, etc.) | R 285.00 |
| City TLDs (.joburg, .capetown, .durban) | R 685.00 |
| Generic TLDs (.com, .net, .org, .directory, .farm, etc.) | R 4,750.00 |
Redemption Periods by Domain Type
The duration a domain remains in the Closed Redemption Phase varies:
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.ZA Domains – 30 days
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Generic TLDs (e.g., .COM, .NET) – 45 to 90 days (depending on the registry)
After this period, the domain is permanently deleted and made available for public registration.
Further Information
For full details and terms, please refer to the official ZA Central Registry policies:
