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.
Looking for the official coastal fuel price today in South Africa? Below are the official regulated retail prices for petrol and wholesale prices for diesel in South Africa’s coastal pricing zones (Zone 1A), updated for the current monthly fuel price cycle.
Effective Date: 2 September 2026
Primary Source: Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR) official price schedule.
Pricing Note: Figures are given in Rand per litre (R/l) and cents per litre (c/l). Petrol prices are strictly regulated at retail level, while diesel figures reflect wholesale benchmark prices before dealer retail markups.
Coastal Fuel Price Today: Current Price
| Fuel Grade | Coastal Pump / Wholesale Price | Change from Previous Month | Unit Breakdown |
| 95 Unleaded Petrol (ULP) | R26.05 / litre | ↑ R1.34 / litre | 2,605.00 c/l |
| 93 Unleaded Petrol (ULP) | R25.97 / litre | ↑ R1.34 / litre | 2,597.00 c/l |
| Diesel 50ppm (0.005% S)(Wholesale) | R28.68 / litre | ↑ R3.15 / litre | 2,868.31 c/l |
| Diesel 500ppm (0.05% S)(Wholesale) | R28.24 / litre | ↑ R2.94 / litre | 2,823.91 c/l |
| Illuminating Paraffin(Wholesale) | R16.19 / litre | ↑ R2.13 / litre | 1,619.00 c/l |
Whether you are filling up in Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha), or East London, these official figures represent the latest coastal fuel price today across South Africa’s coastal magisterial zones. If you are looking for broader regional context or past trends, check our main coastal fuel price South Africa hub page.
Inland, Coastal or Local Zone Context
Understanding the current coastal fuel price today requires knowing how South Africa’s fuel pricing model works geographically. The country is divided into Magisterial District Zones (MDZs), running from Zone 1A (coastal ports) to Zone 9C and beyond (deep interior regions like Gauteng).
Inland/Coastal Zone Differences
- Coastal Zone (1A): Refers to coastal port cities such as Cape Town, Durban, Richards Bay, and Mossel Bay. Fuel is refined locally or landed directly at sea ports via ocean tankers, avoiding pipeline and rail transit tariffs.
- Inland Zone (9C – Gauteng): Refers to interior regions including Gauteng, Free State, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, and North West. Fuel must be transported inland via Transnet’s underground pipeline network or road/rail transport, adding a transport levy to the pump price.
City or Province Context
Official regulated retail petrol prices do not vary from suburb to suburb or between individual service stations within the same coastal zone. Every retail pump in a coastal city—whether in Table View, Umhlanga, or Humewood—is legally obligated to charge the exact same retail rate for petrol.
However, individual filling stations may offer loyalty rewards, cash-back schemes, or competitive diesel discounts because diesel retail prices are unregulated in South Africa.
Compare Petrol, Diesel and Other Fuels
When assessing the coastal fuel price today 2026, it helps to compare how different fuel types and grades are priced and regulated.
Fuel Category Comparison:
├── Petrol (Retail Regulated)
│ ├── 95 ULP (Standard coastal grade for modern engines)
│ └── 93 ULP (Limited availability at coastal ports)
└── Diesel (Wholesale Regulated, Retail Unregulated)
├── 50ppm (Low Sulphur - cleaner, modern diesel engines)
└── 500ppm (Standard Sulphur - older commercial & heavy fleet engines)
Petrol vs Diesel Dynamics
- Petrol 95 ULP vs 93 ULP: At the coast, 95 Unleaded Petrol (ULP) is the primary grade because low atmospheric pressure at sea level requires higher octane to prevent engine knocking. While 93 ULP is published in coastal schedules, it is rarely stocked at coastal filling stations.
- Diesel 50ppm vs 500ppm: Diesel is sold as a wholesale benchmark. Service stations add their own retail margin (typically R1.20 to R2.50 per litre) above wholesale. Modern passenger vehicles require 50ppm (0.005% sulphur) for engine safety and emissions compliance, whereas 500ppm (0.05% sulphur) is primarily used by agricultural equipment and older commercial transport fleets.
- Illuminating Paraffin & LPGas: Illuminating Paraffin is regulated at both wholesale and Single National Maximum Retail Price (SNMRP) levels. LPGas maximum retail prices vary slightly based on local marine terminal import costs (e.g., Port of Saldanha).
If you need nationwide comparison tables beyond coastal zones, view the latest petrol price today page for full inland figures.
Why This Area Differs from Other Regions
Why is the coastal fuel price today consistently cheaper than the inland fuel price?
The entire price gap comes down to zone logistics and pipeline transport costs.
- Basic Fuel Price (BFP): Calculated daily based on international refined petroleum product prices (in US dollars) and the USD/ZAR exchange rate. The BFP is identical for both coastal and inland regions.
- Fuel Taxes & Levies: Taxes such as the General Fuel Levy (GFL), Road Accident Fund (RAF) levy, Customs & Excise duties, and the Slate Levy apply equally across all South African provinces.
- Zone Transport Tariff: This is where the price diverges. Delivering fuel from coastal refineries and ocean terminals up to Johannesburg or Pretoria requires significant pumping energy and pipeline infrastructure.
Currently, the transport tariff adds approximately 87 cents per litre to inland petrol and diesel compared to coastal pump prices. To explore the detailed structural breakdown between coastal and interior regions, see our comprehensive guide on inland vs coastal fuel prices.
Travel and Fill-Up Decision Guidance
Whether you are planning a long-distance road trip between coastal and inland provinces or managing a business transport fleet, keeping track of the coastal fuel price today South Africa can yield real savings.
Travel Decision Notes
- Coastal to Inland Trips: If you are driving from a coastal city (e.g., Durban or Port Elizabeth) to an inland destination (e.g., Gauteng or Bloemfontein), fill your tank completely before leaving the coast. A full 60-litre tank of 95 ULP filled at coastal rates saves roughly R52.20 compared to filling up inland.
- Inland to Coastal Trips: If you are travelling toward the coast, top up only with enough fuel to arrive safely, then fill up after reaching coastal zones to take advantage of lower pricing.
- Commercial Diesel Drivers: Because diesel retail margins are not fixed by law, coastal truck stops and highway filling stations along freight corridors (like the N3 or N1) often compete aggressively on price. Comparing station prices before refueling large tanks can save fleet operators hundreds of Rands per stop.
Related City, Province and Calculator Pages
To calculate exact fuel costs for your vehicle or upcoming journey, use our interactive tools and regional price pages.
To calculate your exact fuel spend, you will need:
- Distance: Total trip distance in kilometers (km).
- Fuel Consumption: Vehicle consumption rate in Litres per 100km (L/100km).
- Fuel Grade: Selected grade (e.g., 95 ULP Coastal or Diesel 50ppm Coastal).
- Fuel Price: Current rate per litre (e.g., R26.05/l).
Ready to figure out your exact trip costs or monthly budget? Head over to calculate fuel cost to run your custom numbers.
Related Local & Regional Pages
- Coastal Fuel Price South Africa Hub
- Inland vs Coastal Fuel Prices Breakdown
- National Petrol Price Today Overview
- Western Cape Fuel Prices
- KwaZulu-Natal Fuel Prices
- Eastern Cape Fuel Prices
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the coastal fuel price today in South Africa?
As of 2 September 2026, the official coastal price for 95 Unleaded Petrol (ULP) is R26.05 per litre, 93 ULP is R25.97 per litre, wholesale Diesel 50ppm is R28.68 per litre, and wholesale Diesel 500ppm is R28.24 per litre.
Why is fuel cheaper at the coast than inland?
Coastal areas are situated right at the ports where crude oil and refined petroleum products land. Inland regions must pay additional pipeline, rail, and road transport levies to move fuel from coastal ports to interior depots, making inland fuel roughly 87c/l more expensive.
How often does the coastal fuel price change?
Fuel prices in South Africa are adjusted on the first Wednesday of every month by the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR), based on international oil prices and the USD/ZAR exchange rate.
Is diesel the same price at every coastal filling station?
No. While petrol pump prices are strictly regulated by the government, diesel prices are only regulated at the wholesale level. Retail filling stations add their own markup, meaning diesel prices can vary between stations.