Official figures — October 2026. These are the confirmed prices published by the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR), effective Wednesday, 7 October 2026. Petrol 93 rose 312 c/l, petrol 95 rose 333 c/l, diesel 500ppm rose 284 c/l, diesel 50ppm rose 324 c/l and illuminating paraffin rose 358 c/l. The previous official prices took effect on 2 September 2026.
Fuel prices in South Africa follow a published formula. This guide explains the parts of that formula in plain language and points to a detailed page on each.
Fuel Price Education: direct answer
The price you pay is the cost of importing refined fuel, plus taxes and levies, plus regulated margins, plus transport to your area. It is recalculated once a month and changes on the first Wednesday.
How it works in South Africa
- The Central Energy Fund measures the import cost of fuel every day.
- At the end of each review period the average difference from the current price is passed on as an increase or decrease.
- The Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources announces the new prices a few days before they take effect.
- Petrol has a fixed pump price per zone. Diesel is regulated only at wholesale level.
Key fuel-price components
| Component (cents per litre) | Petrol 95 | Diesel 500ppm |
| Basic fuel price | 1743.51 | 2213.63 |
| General fuel levy | 429 | 416 |
| Road Accident Fund levy | 225 | 225 |
| Retail margin | 320 | 0 |
| Wholesale margin | 66.5 | 99.17 |
| Zone differential (transport to Gauteng) | 91.1 | 91.1 |
| Slate levy | 87.66 | 87.66 |
| Secondary storage | 39 | 39 |
| Secondary distribution | 19.1 | 19.1 |
| Customs and excise duty | 4 | 4 |
| IP tracer levy | 0 | 0.5 |
| Petroleum products levy | 0.33 | 0.33 |
| Pump rounding | -0.2 | 0 |
| Price (c/l) | 3,025.00 | 3,195.49 |
Source: composition of the price in Gauteng for 7 October to 3 November 2026, from the media statement released by the Central Energy Fund on behalf of the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources on 2 October 2026.
Practical example for motorists
A 50-litre tank of Petrol 95 in Gauteng costs R1,512.50 in October 2026. About 58% of that is the basic fuel price, about 22% is the fuel levy and Road Accident Fund levy, and about 11% is the retailer’s margin.
Common mistakes and misconceptions
- Service stations do not choose the petrol price.
- The daily oil price does not change the pump price until the next monthly adjustment.
- Inland and coastal prices differ because of transport costs, not tax.
- A mid-month forecast is not an official price.
Guides on each topic
- Basic fuel price
- What is the basic fuel price
- Fuel price breakdown
- Why fuel prices change every month
- Inland vs coastal fuel prices
- Rand dollar fuel price
- Oil price and petrol price
- Petrol grades South Africa
Related prices, forecasts and tools
- Petrol price today
- Fuel price breakdown
- Basic fuel price
- Why fuel prices change every month
- Petrol price prediction
- Fuel cost calculator
Frequently asked questions
Who sets the fuel price?
The Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, using calculations by the Central Energy Fund.
Why does the price change every month?
Because the cost of imported fuel and the exchange rate change, and the difference is passed on monthly.
When does the price change?
On the first Wednesday of every month. The current prices took effect on 7 October 2026 and the next adjustment is due on Wednesday, 4 November 2026.