Official figures — September 2026. These are the confirmed prices published by the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR), effective Wednesday, 2 September 2026. Petrol 93 and 95 both rose 134 c/l, diesel 500ppm rose 294 c/l, diesel 50ppm rose 315 c/l and illuminating paraffin rose 213 c/l. The previous official prices took effect on 5 August 2026.
Staying on top of the fluctuating fuel price South Africa is critical for every motorist, fleet operator, and business owner. Fuel costs directly impact monthly household budgets and commercial logistics across the country.
Fuel Price South Africa: Current Price
Direct Answer
The official fuel prices in South Africa are adjusted on the first Wednesday of every month by the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR). For September 2026, South African motorists face an increase at the pumps, with petrol up between R1.34 per litre and diesel rising by close to R3.00 per litre. The movement is driven by a tight global diesel refining market and firmer crude prices, not by any change to the General Fuel Levy, which remains fully reinstated.
Supporting Explanation
South Africa uses a regulated pricing mechanism where retail petrol prices are fixed by law, while diesel prices are determined on a wholesale baseline with retail margins varying between service stations. Prices are split into inland and coastal zones to account for the costs of transporting fuel via pipelines and road networks from major ports to the interior provinces.
Effective Date: 2 September 2026
Primary Source: Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR) & Central Energy Fund (CEF)
Latest Petrol and Fuel Price Table
To help you quickly check the exact figure for your region, the table below outlines the official retail pump prices for petrol and the wholesale baseline prices for diesel, illuminating paraffin, and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG).
| Fuel Type & Grade | Inland Price (Gauteng) | Coastal Price | Units |
| Petrol 95 ULP | R26.92 | R26.05 | Per Litre (R/l) |
| Petrol 93 ULP / LRP | R26.76 | R25.97 | Per Litre (R/l) |
| Diesel 0.005% (50 ppm) | R29.56 | R28.68 | Per Litre (R/l) (Wholesale) |
| Diesel 0.05% (500 ppm) | R29.11 | R28.24 | Per Litre (R/l) (Wholesale) |
| Illuminating Paraffin | R20.89 | R19.84 | Per Litre (R/l) (Wholesale) |
| LPGas | R40.84 | R37.31 | Per Kilogram (R/kg) (Max Retail) |
Need to find out how these figures translate to your next trip? Use our calculate fuel cost tool to instantly determine your trip expenses based on the petrol price today.
Price Change from the Previous Month
June vs September 2026 Movements
The September 2026 adjustment brings an upward shift across every category, with diesel moving far more sharply than petrol. That gap reflects a global squeeze on diesel refining capacity and continuing disruption to refinery output and shipping routes. The General Fuel Levy itself is unchanged and already fully reinstated in the baseline, so there is no fiscal cushion left to offset the international movement.
Detailed Monthly Adjustments
- Petrol 95 ULP: Decreased by R1.07 per litre.
- Petrol 93 ULP / LRP: Decreased by R0.96 per litre.
- Diesel 50 ppm (0.005%): Decreased by R2.92 per litre.
- Diesel 500 ppm (0.05%): Decreased by R2.71 per litre.
- Illuminating Paraffin: Wholesale prices dropped by R1.52 per litre.
- LPGas: Increased slightly by 16 c/l to 19 c/l depending on the region.
For a deep dive into historical data or to see historical trends, explore our comprehensive fuel price list South Africa and the historical fuel price table South Africa.
Inland vs Coastal Prices
Why the Price Differs
The pricing disparity between coastal regions and inland provinces (such as Gauteng) is primarily driven by transport logistics. Fuel imported or refined at the coast must be pumped through the Transnet pipeline infrastructure or transported via road tankers to inland storage depots.
Transport Costs and Zones
The DMPR divides the country into distinct magisterial district pricing zones. Inland zones carry a higher transport tariff-add-on, making an inland litre of fuel more expensive than its coastal counterpart. To view localized regional data, navigate to our dedicated current petrol and diesel prices South Africa breakdown.
Petrol Grades, Diesel and Related Fuels
Understanding Petrol Grades
South African motorists typically choose between 93 and 95 Octane petrol. 95 Octane is the price-marker grade used for international comparisons. Inland drivers can safely use 93 Octane in many naturally aspirated engines due to altitude physics, whereas coastal vehicles generally require 95 Octane to prevent engine knocking.
Diesel Pricing Rules and Commercial Use
Unlike petrol, which has a strictly mandated retail cap, diesel pricing is less rigid. The government sets an official wholesale price structure, but retail stations add their own operational margins.
- 50 ppm (0.005% Sulphur): Highly refined premium diesel designed for modern passenger vehicles and advanced turbo-diesel engines.
- 500 ppm (0.05% Sulphur): Standard grade diesel primarily utilized by heavy commercial fleets, agricultural machinery, and older industrial transport infrastructure.
Related Household Fuels
- LPG: Maximum retail margins apply to secure fair pricing for domestic cooking and heating solutions. Review the LPG price South Africa for seasonal cap updates.
- Illuminating Paraffin: Essential for low-income household lighting and heating. Check the paraffin price South Africa for verified local retail caps.
How to Use This Price Information
Understanding the latest fuel price South Africa is the first step toward optimizing your travel or operating expenditures. With the fuel price today South Africa sitting at these specific baselines, commuters can plan their monthly budgets accurately, logistics firms can adjust fuel surcharges, and everyday drivers can decide exactly when to fill up.
If you want a dedicated look purely at petrol variants, you can monitor the petrol price South Africa page for grade-specific historical anomalies.
Related Tools and Updates
Tracking Macroeconomic Indicators
Fuel adjustments are entirely dictated by macro market drivers. To stay ahead of the next monthly announcement, look at:
- The Rand/US Dollar Exchange Rate: Fuel is purchased internationally in USD; a stronger Rand reduces local costs.
- International Refined Petroleum Prices: Heavily influenced by Brent Crude oil supply metrics.
- Daily CEF Over-/Under-Recovery Metrics: The Central Energy Fund publishes daily tracking data showing whether current daily market cycles favor a future price cut or hike.
Note on Forecast Wording: Daily tracker reports reflect market indicator movements and are subject to extreme volatility. They should not be considered verified figures until the DMPR makes its official public statement.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the fuel price change in South Africa?
The fuel price changes on the first Wednesday of every calendar month. The official pricing adjustments are finalized and publicized a few days prior by the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources.
Why is diesel cheaper at some service stations?
Petrol retail prices are strictly capped by law, whereas diesel retail prices are deregulated. Service stations can adjust their local profit margins on diesel, creating retail price competition across different service networks.
Where can I find more tools and contact info?
For any specific system functionality queries or to learn more about our independent price-tracking goals, read about PetrolPrice.co.za. To monitor the absolute freshest data feeds across all regions, make sure to bookmark the current fuel price South Africa hub page.