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.

Official South Africa Fuel Price List & Price Breakdown

Quick Answer: What Are the Current Fuel Prices in South Africa?

As of September 2026, official regulated fuel prices in South Africa stand at R26.92 per litre for 95 Unleaded Petrol inland (Gauteng) and R26.05 per litre at the coast. 93 Unleaded Petrol is R26.76 per litre inland and R25.97 per litre coastal. Wholesale diesel prices are R29.56 per litre for 50ppm inland (R28.68 coastal) and R26.16 per litre for 500ppm inland (R25.29 coastal). Fuel prices are regulated by the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR) and adjust on the first Wednesday of every month.

Current South Africa Fuel Price Table

Fuel prices in South Africa are divided into two main pricing zones: Inland (covering Gauteng, Free State, Mpumalanga, North West, and parts of Limpopo and Northern Cape) and Coastal (covering Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, and coastal regions).

The table below outlines current pump and wholesale benchmark rates:

Fuel Type	Inland (Gauteng / Reef)	Coastal (CT / DBN / PE)	Price Difference	Month-on-Month Change
95 Unleaded Petrol (ULP)	R26.92 / L	R26.05 / L	+87c Inland	Down 52c / L
93 Unleaded Petrol (ULP)	R26.76 / L	R25.97 / L	+79c Inland	Down 52c / L
Diesel 50ppm (0.005% S)	R29.56 / L	R28.68 / L	+87c Inland	Up R1.23 / L
Diesel 500ppm (0.05% S)	R26.16 / L	R26.29 / L	+87c Inland	Up R1.38 / L
Illuminating Paraffin	R20.37 / L	R19.35 / L	+102c Inland	Up R1.52 / L

Note: Petrol prices are maximum regulated retail prices. Diesel figures represent benchmark wholesale prices; retail pump prices for diesel vary by service station.

How South Africa’s Fuel Prices Are Calculated

Fuel prices in South Africa are governed by a combination of international market factors and local government taxes and levies. The Central Energy Fund (CEF) calculates daily basic fuel prices on behalf of the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources.

The final price at the pump consists of three primary building blocks:

1. Basic Fuel Price (BFP)

The BFP accounts for roughly 45% to 50% of the total price per litre. It represents what it costs to buy refined petroleum products on international markets and ship them to South African ports. BFP fluctuates based on:

• International Crude Oil Prices: Benchmark Brent Crude oil pricing in US Dollars per barrel.
• Rand/USD Exchange Rate: The strength or weakness of the South African Rand against the US Dollar.

2. Domestic Levies & Taxes

Local taxes and government duties make up approximately 35% to 40% of every litre of fuel sold:

• General Fuel Levy (GFL): A direct tax collected for the National Revenue Fund.
• Road Accident Fund (RAF) Levy: Dedicated funding used to compensate victims of road accidents.
• Customs & Excise Duties: Import duties applied to fuel products.
• Slate Levy: A mechanism used to absorb cumulative under- or over-recovery balances created by daily market fluctuations.

3. Retail & Transport Margins

The remaining 10% to 15% covers logistical, storage, and retail service station operations:

• Wholesale & Retail Margins: Fixed markups that allow fuel brands and station owner-operators to cover overheads and earn a margin.
• Zone Differential (Transport Cost): The cost of transporting fuel via pipeline, rail, or tanker trucks from coastal ports to inland fuel depots.

Why Is Petrol Cheaper at the Coast Than Inland?

The price gap between coastal and inland areas is caused by transport costs.

All crude oil and refined fuel imported into South Africa enters via ocean ports like Durban, Cape Town, and Gqeberha. To deliver fuel to inland provinces such as Gauteng or Free State, fuel suppliers must pump it through the Transnet pipeline network or transport it via road and rail tankers.

This added transport fee—known as the Zone Differential—adds approximately 79c to 87c per litre to inland pump prices compared to coastal service stations.

5 Ways to Lower Your Monthly Fuel Costs

1. Maintain Correct Tire Pressure: Under-inflated tires increase rolling resistance, forcing your engine to burn up to 3% to 5% more fuel.
2. Drive Smoothly: Avoid harsh acceleration and sudden braking. Driving at a steady, moderate speed improves fuel economy by up to 15%.
3. Use Fuel Rewards Programs: Take advantage of loyalty programs like FNB eBucks (Engine), Discovery Insure (Shell), Standard Bank UCount (Astron/Caltex), and Absa Rewards (Sasol) to earn cash back on every fill-up.
4. Choose the Correct Octane: If your car’s manual recommends 93 octane (common for non-turbocharged engines at high altitudes inland), using 95 octane provides no extra performance or efficiency benefits while costing more per litre.
5. Reduce Vehicle Load & Drag: Remove unnecessary roof racks, luggage carriers, or heavy items from the trunk to decrease aerodynamic drag and total weight.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How often do fuel prices change in South Africa?

Fuel prices change officially once a month, effective on the first Wednesday of each calendar month at midnight. The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources announces the adjustments during the weekend prior to the implementation date.

2. Who sets the fuel price in South Africa?

The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR) regulates and sets the maximum retail price for petrol (both 93 and 95 grades). Daily calculations and monitoring are handled by the Central Energy Fund (CEF).

3. Why do diesel prices differ between service stations?

Unlike petrol, the retail pump price of diesel is not capped or regulated by law in South Africa. The government sets only a wholesale benchmark price for diesel. Individual service stations and fuel retailers are free to set their own retail profit margins, leading to varying prices from garage to garage.

4. What is the difference between 93 and 95 octane petrol?

Octane ratings measure a fuel’s resistance to premature combustion (“engine knock”).

• 93 Octane: Suitable for most naturally aspirated engines operating at high inland altitudes where lower atmospheric pressure reduces knocking risks.
• 95 Octane: Required for modern high-compression engines, turbocharged vehicles, and vehicles driving at coastal sea-level altitudes.

5. What are over-recovery and under-recovery in fuel pricing?

• Over-recovery: Occurs when the official domestic pump price is higher than the actual daily cost of importing fuel. This builds a surplus and leads to fuel price reductions in the next monthly cycle.
• Under-recovery: Occurs when international oil prices or Rand weakness push import costs higher than the current domestic price, creating a deficit that leads to a price increase in the following month.

6. Do fuel levies apply to both petrol and diesel?

Yes. Both petrol and diesel carry the General Fuel Levy and the Road Accident Fund (RAF) Levy. However, commercial industries such as agriculture, mining, and forestry can apply for diesel tax rebates under the South African Revenue Service (SARS) Diesel Refund Scheme.

7. Where can I find daily fuel price movement updates?

Daily basic fuel price trends and recovery snapshots are published on working days by the Central Energy Fund (CEF) on their official platform and through financial automotive portals.