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.
The General Fuel Levy (GFL) in South Africa is 429.00 c/l (R4.29 per litre) for petrol and 416.00 c/l (R4.16 per litre) for diesel. When combined with the Road Accident Fund (RAF) Levy of 225.00 c/l (R2.25 per litre) and the Carbon Fuel Levy (19.00 c/l for petrol / 23.00 c/l for diesel), direct statutory taxes account for 677.00 c/l (R6.77 per litre) on petrol and 664.00 c/l (R6.64 per litre) on diesel.
These fixed statutory levies are set nationally by the National Treasury in the annual Budget Speech and collected by the South African Revenue Service (SARS). To see how these fixed tax rates fit into international product costs and service station margins, check our complete fuel price breakdown South Africa.
Fuel Levy South Africa: current price
Statutory fuel levies are fixed taxes added to every litre of fuel sold at South African pumps. Unlike market-driven costs such as the Basic Fuel Price (BFP), fuel levies do not change on a daily or monthly basis unless an explicit legislative adjustment or emergency relief intervention is announced by the Minister of Finance.
The table below outlines the current national statutory levy structure effective across South Africa:
| Levy Component | Petrol (93 & 95 ULP) | Diesel (50ppm & 500ppm) | Purpose / Allocation |
| General Fuel Levy (GFL) | 429.00 c/l (R4.29/l) | 416.00 c/l (R4.16/l) | Paid into the National Revenue Fund for general fiscus spending |
| Road Accident Fund (RAF) Levy | 225.00 c/l (R2.25/l) | 225.00 c/l (R2.25/l) | Dedicated fund to compensate victims of road accidents |
| Carbon Fuel Levy | 19.00 c/l (R0.19/l) | 23.00 c/l (R0.23/l) | Environmental tax targeting greenhouse gas emissions |
| Customs & Excise Duty | 4.00 c/l (R0.04/l) | 4.00 c/l (R0.04/l) | Southern African Customs Union (SACU) tariff harmonization |
| Total Statutory Tax Contribution | 677.00 c/l (R6.77/l) | 664.00 c/l (R6.64/l) | Direct state tax collected per litre at the pump |
Official Source Hierarchy: Monthly fuel price schedules are officially published and gazetted by the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR). Statutory tax components are determined by the National Treasury and administered via SARS customs schedules.
Latest petrol and fuel price table
The final retail or wholesale price paid across the country combines the international product cost (Basic Fuel Price), statutory taxes, transport differentials, and service station margins. Below is the current price breakdown structure across inland (Gauteng, Zone 9C) and coastal (Zone 1A) regions:
| Fuel Grade & Zone | Basic Fuel Price (BFP) | Statutory Levies (GFL + RAF + Carbon + Customs) | Slate Levy & Margins | Final Retail / Wholesale Price |
| Petrol 95 ULP (Inland Zone 9C) | 1,307.13 c/l | 677.00 c/l | 625.87 c/l | R26.92 / l(2,692.00 c/l) |
| Petrol 93 ULP (Inland Zone 9C) | 1,291.13 c/l | 677.00 c/l | 625.87 c/l | R26.76 / l(2,676.00 c/l) |
| Petrol 95 ULP (Coastal Zone 1A) | 1,307.13 c/l | 677.00 c/l | 546.87 c/l | R25.31 / l(2,531.00 c/l) |
| Diesel 0.05% S (Inland Wholesale) | 1,470.63 c/l | 664.00 c/l | 344.14 c/l | R29.11 / l(2,911.11 c/l) |
| Diesel 0.005% S (Inland Wholesale) | 1,509.03 c/l | 664.00 c/l | 344.14 c/l | R29.56 / l(2,955.51 c/l) |
To track live daily estimates and over/under-recovery indicators before the next official government announcement, monitor petrol price today.
Price change from the previous month
While statutory levies like the General Fuel Levy are adjusted annually during the February National Budget Speech, overall pump prices change on the first Wednesday of every month due to three fluctuating factors:
- International Crude Oil & Product Prices: Refined petrol and diesel import prices track international benchmark oil prices (such as Brent Crude).
- Rand / US Dollar Exchange Rate: Because petroleum products are traded globally in US Dollars, Rand weakness increases domestic import costs, pushing up the BFP.
- The Slate Levy Mechanism: A self-adjusting mechanism managed by the Central Energy Fund (CEF) to balance cumulative under- or over-recoveries incurred by fuel importers.
It is important to separate fiscal policy changes (increases to the statutory General Fuel Levy) from market movements(daily BFP shifts). To understand how these regulatory mechanisms interact, read our detailed guide on fuel price education.
Inland vs coastal prices
South Africa uses a system of geographical transport pricing zones to set retail fuel prices. Inland locations (such as Zone 9C covering Gauteng) have higher retail prices than coastal locations (Zone 1A):
Transport & Logistics Differentials
Fuel refined or imported at coastal ports must be transported inland via pipeline or rail networks. This adds a zone transport differential (roughly 78.00 c/l to 85.00 c/l) to the final price in inland areas.
Uniform National Taxes
Statutory fuel levies—including the General Fuel Levy (429.00 c/l on petrol) and RAF levy (225.00 c/l)—are strictly national and uniform across every province. A driver in Cape Town pays the exact same statutory tax per litre as a driver in Johannesburg.
Petrol grades, diesel and related fuels
Petrol Grades (93 vs 95 Octane)
Petrol prices are strictly regulated by government at the retail level. Inland consumers can choose between 93 Unleaded (ULP) and 95 ULP. Coastal areas exclusively receive 95 ULP because lower atmospheric pressure at sea level removes the need for 93 octane. Both petrol grades attract identical General Fuel Levy (429.00 c/l) and RAF levy (225.00 c/l) rates.
Diesel Pricing & Commercial Fleets
Unlike petrol, diesel prices are not regulated at retail service stations. The DMPR calculates an official wholesale price indicator, but individual filling stations set their own retail markups.
- Wholesale Application: Commercial transport operators, farming businesses, and logistics fleets purchase diesel on wholesale terms.
- Sulphur Grades: Diesel 0.05% (500ppm) and Diesel 0.005% (50ppm ultra-low sulphur) share the same statutory tax rate: 416.00 c/l General Fuel Levy and 225.00 c/l RAF levy.
- Diesel Refund Scheme: Primary producers in sectors like agriculture, forestry, and mining can claim a partial General Fuel Levy refund from SARS on diesel used strictly for qualifying off-road machinery.
How to use this price information
Knowing exact levy amounts helps individuals and business operators budget effectively and understand where their money goes when filling up.
Practical Example: Standard Vehicle Refuel
Filling a 50-litre petrol tank with 95 ULP in Gauteng (Inland Zone 9C):
$$\text{Total Refuel Cost} = 50\text{ litres} \times \text{R}26.10/\text{l} = \text{R}1,305.00$$
Out of that R1,305.00 total bill:
- General Fuel Levy: $50 \times \text{R}4.29 = \text{R}214.50$
- RAF Levy: $50 \times \text{R}2.25 = \text{R}112.50$
- Carbon Tax & Customs Duty: $50 \times \text{R}0.23 = \text{R}11.50$
- Total Statutory Taxes: R338.50 (approx. 26% of the full fill)
To plan journey expenses or fleet running costs based on current pump prices, try our calculate fuel cost calculator.
Related tools and updates
When following fuel price adjustments, distinguish between confirmed official changes and temporary market indicators:
- Official DMPR Adjustments: Published on the Monday preceding the first Wednesday of each month, detailing confirmed retail and wholesale prices.
- National Budget Speech: Statutory updates to the General Fuel Levy and RAF levy are announced annually by the Minister of Finance.
- Central Energy Fund (CEF) Updates: Daily over- or under-recovery data reflects market trends driven by exchange rates and international product prices. These figures provide early direction, but are not confirmed prices until gazetted by government.
Frequently asked questions
What is the current fuel levy in South Africa?
The standard General Fuel Levy in South Africa is 429.00 c/l (R4.29 per litre) for petrol and 416.00 c/l (R4.16 per litre) for diesel. Motorists also pay a Road Accident Fund (RAF) levy of 225.00 c/l (R2.25 per litre) on both fuels.
Who collects the fuel levy in South Africa?
The General Fuel Levy is collected by the South African Revenue Service (SARS) on behalf of National Treasury. The funds are deposited into the National Revenue Fund to cover general state spending rather than specific road projects.
How often does the fuel levy change?
Statutory taxes (General Fuel Levy and RAF levy) are typically reviewed once a year in the National Budget Speech. Total retail pump prices, however, change monthly on the first Wednesday based on international oil markets and the Rand exchange rate.
Is VAT charged on fuel in South Africa?
Petrol and diesel are zero-rated for Value Added Tax (VAT) in South Africa. Motorists do not pay 15% VAT at the pump; instead, state tax revenue from motor fuel is raised through statutory levies like the General Fuel Levy and RAF levy.