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.
Understanding the fuel price breakdown South Africa relies on knowing that the figure you pay at the pump is far more than the cost of unrefined crude oil. Every litre of petrol and diesel sold in South Africa is made up of a heavily regulated combination of international commodity costs, government taxes, distribution tariffs, and retail margins.
This comprehensive guide breaks down every cent in a litre of fuel using official data from the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR) and the Central Energy Fund (CEF). As part of our commitment to accessible fuel price education, this page explains exactly where your money goes every time you fill up your tank.
Fuel Price Breakdown South Africa: current price
Effective Date: 2 September 2026
Primary Reference Zone: Gauteng Inland (Zone 9C) vs. Coastal (Zone 1A)
At current official rates, 95 Unleaded Petrol (ULP) in Gauteng retails at R26.92 per litre (2,692.00 c/l), while the coastal retail price stands at R26.05 per litre (2,605.00 c/l).
The price of a single litre of 95 ULP inland breaks down into two core categories: the Basic Fuel Price (BFP) (the international product cost) and domestic costs, levies, and margins.
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| 95 ULP INLAND |
| Total: R26.92 / L (100%) |
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| Basic Fuel Price (BFP) | R13.07 / L (~50.1%) |
| General Fuel Levy | R4.29 / L (~16.4%) |
| Retailer / Dealer Margin | R3.15 / L (~12.1%) |
| Road Accident Fund (RAF) Levy | R2.25 / L (~8.6%) |
| Slate Levy | R1.14 / L (~4.4%) |
| Wholesale Margin | R0.67 / L (~2.5%) |
| Secondary Storage & Distribution | R0.58 / L (~2.2%) |
| Zone Differential & Inland Transport | R0.04 / L (~0.2%) |
| Customs & Excise / Other Statutory Levies | R0.91 / L (~3.5%) |
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The Primary Cost Components Explained
- Basic Fuel Price (BFP) — 1,307.13 c/l (R13.07/L): Represents the realistic cost of importing refined petroleum products from major international refining hubs. It is driven directly by international product prices and the Rand/US Dollar exchange rate.
- General Fuel Levy — 429.00 c/l (R4.29/L): A direct tax collected by National Treasury to fund general government expenditure. For deeper detail on tax structures, view our full guide on the fuel levy South Africa.
- Road Accident Fund (RAF) Levy — 225.00 c/l (R2.25/L): A dedicated statutory levy used to compensate third-party victims of motor vehicle accidents on South African roads. Learn more on our dedicated RAF levy fuel price page.
- Retailer / Dealer Margin — 315.10 c/l (R3.15/L): The fixed, regulated profit and cost-recovery margin granted to service station owners to cover overheads, forecourt staff salaries, and land rentals. See the full mechanics on our petrol retail margin South Africa explainer.
- Slate Levy — 113.94 c/l (R1.14/L): A self-adjusting mechanism used to balance the Central Energy Fund’s cumulative under- or over-recovery account when daily BFP fluctuations create shortfalls. Explore how this buffer works at slate levy fuel price.
- Wholesale Margin & Distribution Costs — 163.70 c/l (R1.64/L): Covers wholesale marketing returns (66.50 c/l), secondary storage (39.00 c/l), and secondary distribution (19.10 c/l).
- Transport Tariffs & Zone Differential — 3.90 c/l (R0.04/L): The cost of moving fuel from coastal import hubs to inland magisterial districts via pipeline, rail, and road transport. Read the complete geographic breakdown on fuel transport cost South Africa.
- Environmental & Other Taxes: Includes the statutory carbon fuel levy South Africa (5.00 c/l for petrol, 6.00 c/l for diesel) and Customs & Excise duties (4.00 c/l).
Latest petrol and fuel price table
The table below outlines the official, published monthly fuel prices across major fuel grades in South Africa. Note that while petrol pump prices are strictly capped by government regulation, diesel figures represent wholesale reference benchmarks; actual forecourt diesel prices vary between service stations.
| Fuel Grade / Type | Inland Price (c/l) | Inland Price (R/L) | Coastal Price (c/l) | Coastal Price (R/L) | Price Structure Type |
| 93 ULP & LRP Petrol | 2,676.00 c/l | R26.76 / L | 2,519.00 c/l | R25.97 / L | Regulated Retail Cap |
| 95 ULP Petrol | 2,692.00 c/l | R26.92 / L | 2,605.00 c/l | R26.05 / L | Regulated Retail Cap |
| Diesel 0.05% (500 ppm) | 2,911.11 c/l | R29.11 / L | 2,823.91 c/l | R28.24 / L | Wholesale Reference |
| Diesel 0.005% (50 ppm) | 2,955.51 c/l | R29.56 / L | 2,868.31 c/l | R28.68 / L | Wholesale Reference |
| Illuminating Paraffin | 2,089.10 c/l | R20.89 / L | 1,983.70 c/l | R19.84 / L | Wholesale Reference |
All figures reflect official DMPR schedules effective from midnight on the first Wednesday of the month.
Price change from the previous month
Fuel prices in South Africa are adjusted on the first Wednesday of every calendar month. Adjustments are driven primarily by two external variables that dictate daily over- or under-recoveries:
- International Product Prices: Global benchmark refined petrol and diesel prices (influenced by Brent crude prices, international refinery demand, and geopolitical developments).
- USD / ZAR Exchange Rate: Because petroleum products are traded globally in US Dollars, a stronger Rand reduces local import costs, while a weaker Rand increases them.
When daily BFP calculations drop below the BFP built into the monthly price structure, an over-recovery accumulates, signaling a price reduction for the following month. Conversely, when international prices surge or the Rand depreciates, an under-recovery builds up, leading to a monthly price increase.
Inland vs coastal prices
Why is petrol consistently cheaper at the coast than in Gauteng or inland provinces? The difference comes down to primary transportation economics.
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| TRANSPORT ZONE DIFFERENTIAL |
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| Coastal Ports (Zone 1A) ---> Pipeline / Rail / Road ---> Inland (Zone 9C) |
| Baseline Cost Transport Tariff (+75 c/l) Higher Retail Price|
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South Africa imports significant quantities of refined fuel via coastal ports like Durban, Cape Town, and Gqeberha.
- Coastal Areas (Zone 1A): Incur minimal local transport costs because the fuel is discharged directly at coastal terminals.
- Inland Zones (Zone 9C – Gauteng): Must account for the cost of moving fuel hundreds of kilometers inland through Transnet pipelines, rail tankers, and road trucks.
This transport tariff is captured in the Zone Differential. Currently, the inland zone differential adds roughly 75.00 c/l (R0.75 per litre) to the retail price of petrol in Gauteng compared to coastal zones.
Petrol grades, diesel and related fuels
Petrol (93 ULP vs. 95 ULP)
Petrol in South Africa is sold under strict retail price control set by the Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources.
- 93 ULP: Intended for lower-compression engines operating at high altitudes (inland regions like Gauteng) where lower atmospheric pressure reduces the risk of engine knocking.
- 95 ULP: Required for modern turbo-charged engines, high-compression engines, and all vehicles operating at sea level (coastal regions).
Diesel (50 ppm vs. 500 ppm)
Unlike petrol, diesel retail prices are not capped by the government. The DMPR publishes an official wholesale reference price, but individual retailers and commercial distributors set their own retail margins based on local competition.
- 50 ppm (0.005% Sulphur): Premium, cleaner-burning low-sulphur diesel suited for modern diesel passenger vehicles and commercial fleets.
- 500 ppm (0.05% Sulphur): High-sulphur diesel traditionally used in industrial equipment, heavy agriculture, and older fleet engines.
Fleet Management Note: Because diesel retail margins are deregulated, commercial fleet managers can often negotiate bulk wholesale discounts 50 c/l to 120 c/l below the forecourt average.
How to use this price information
Understanding how fuel components are structured allows consumers and businesses to make informed financial decisions.
1.Identify your exact zone and fuel grade:Step 1.
Check whether your vehicle requires 93 ULP, 95 ULP, or 50 ppm diesel, and verify whether you purchase fuel in an inland (Zone 9C) or coastal (Zone 1A) district.
2.Calculate actual fuel cost per kilometer:Step 2.
Multiply your vehicle’s consumption rate (e.g., 7.5 L/100km) by the current pump price to determine your exact cost per kilometer driven.
3.Separate tax levies for business accounting:Step 3.
If claiming operational transport expenses, separate fixed government levies (General Fuel Levy, RAF, Carbon Tax) from VAT where applicable.
4.Track daily over/under-recovery updates:Step 4.
Monitor mid-month Central Energy Fund (CEF) trends to anticipate whether next month’s price will rise or fall, allowing you to time large fleet refills efficiently.
To automate these calculations for your car or business fleet, visit our easy-to-use tool to calculate fuel cost instantly.
Related tools and updates
To stay ahead of upcoming price adjustments, motorists should monitor four key daily economic indicators:
- CEF Daily Over/Under-Recovery Data: Updated every working day, showing the average unit over/under recovery in cents per litre.
- USD / ZAR Exchange Rate: Real-time movements in the local currency against the US Dollar.
- Brent Crude Oil Spot Prices: Global benchmark crude trading figures in USD per barrel.
- Slate Account Balance: Indicates whether a slate levy increase or decrease will be triggered in the next monthly adjustment cycle.
For real-time daily tracking and projected adjustments, check the live data on our petrol price today page.
Frequently asked questions
What is the biggest component of the South African fuel price?
The Basic Fuel Price (BFP) is the single largest component, typically accounting for roughly 45% to 55% of the total retail price. The combined total of all government levies and taxes (General Fuel Levy, RAF Levy, Carbon Tax, Customs Duty) makes up the second-largest portion at approximately 25% to 30%.
Does Value Added Tax (VAT) apply to fuel in South Africa?
Petrol and diesel are zero-rated for Value Added Tax (VAT) in South Africa. Instead of standard 15% VAT, fuel is taxed via the General Fuel Levy and Road Accident Fund Levy.
Why are diesel prices different at every filling station?
While petrol retail prices are strictly fixed by government regulation, diesel retail prices are deregulated. The government sets only a wholesale reference price for diesel, leaving service station owners free to set their own retail markup based on competition and volume.
How often are South African fuel prices updated?
Fuel prices are updated officially once a month, coming into effect at 00:01 on the first Wednesday of every calendar month.