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.
Staying informed about the latest petrol price South Africa is critical for budgeting your monthly travel costs, managing fleet logistics, or simply planning your next trip to the fuel station. South Africa’s fuel prices are regulated by the government and adjusted on the first Wednesday of every month based on global oil markets and the local exchange rate.
This page serves as your central informational hub for the current official fuel prices, coastal versus inland variances, historical changes, and interactive tools designed to help you calculate your fuel spend.
Latest Petrol Price South Africa: Current Price
The latest official fuel prices in South Africa went into effect on Wednesday, 2 September 2026, as announced by the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR). Motorists across the country received massive financial relief at the pumps due to sharp declines in international product prices and a stable domestic currency, which entirely neutralized the planned return of the General Fuel Levy.
- 93 Unleaded Petrol (Inland): R26.76 per litre
- 95 Unleaded Petrol (Inland): R26.92 per litre
- 93 Unleaded Petrol (Coastal): R25.97 per litre
- 95 Unleaded Petrol (Coastal): R26.05 per litre
Important Note: While petrol pump prices are strictly regulated per zone, diesel prices listed below are wholesale guidelines. Retail prices at individual service stations will vary based on localized dealer margins.
Latest Petrol and Fuel Price Table
The table below provides a comprehensive breakdown of the official fuel prices for September 2026 across both inland and coastal regions. All figures are displayed in Rands per litre (R/l) for clarity.
| Fuel Type | Inland Price (R/l) | Coastal Price (R/l) | Net Monthly Adjustment |
| 93 Unleaded Petrol | R26.76 | R25.97 | Increased by 134.00 c/l |
| 95 Unleaded Petrol | R26.92 | R26.05 | Increased by 134.00 c/l |
| Diesel 0.05% (500 ppm) | R29.11 | R28.24 | Increased by 294.00 c/l |
| Diesel 0.005% (50 ppm) | R29.56 | R28.68 | Increased by 315.00 c/l |
| Illuminating Paraffin | R20.89 | R19.84 | Increased by 213.00 c/l |
| LPGas (per kg) | R37.31 | R34.12 | Increased by 16.00 c/kg |
To view how these figures impact your specific vehicle or commute, check out our calculate fuel cost tool, which updates dynamically with every monthly adjustment.
Price Change from the Previous Month
The September 2026 adjustment brought a substantial net-negative change compared to the high prices seen in August 2026. This drop was driven primarily by a collapse in international Brent Crude oil prices, which slid from an average of $104.59 to $86.53 per barrel during the review cycle. Additionally, the South African Rand maintained a resilient trading baseline against the US Dollar, strengthening slightly from R16.52 to R16.38.
These factors combined to create a massive over-recovery, heavily outweighing the formal reintroduction of the remaining 50% of the General Fuel Levy (GFL) by the National Treasury, which added R1.50/L back to petrol and R1.07/L back to diesel.
Key Macroeconomic Drivers:
- Brent Crude Oil: Decreased significantly due to an improved global supply outlook following a memorandum of understanding between the US and Iran.
- Rand/USD Exchange Rate: Appreciated on average, providing support to lower the Basic Fuel Price (BFP) calculation.
- Slate Levy Balance: Reduced from 157.74 c/l to 113.94 c/l, putting an additional 43.80 c/l back into consumer pockets.
Inland vs. Coastal Prices
If you’ve ever driven from Johannesburg to Durban, you will notice that the current latest petrol price South Africadrops as you get closer to the ocean. South Africa utilizes a zone-pricing system consisting of dozens of local magisterial district zones.
The main differentiator between Inland (e.g., Gauteng, Free State) and Coastal (e.g., Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal) prices is the cost of transporting refined fuel from coastal ports via pipelines and rail networks to the interior of the country.
- Inland Pricing: Reflects the base fuel price plus local taxes, retail margins, and the transport costs associated with moving fuel inland.
- Coastal Pricing: Avoids the bulk of the domestic pipeline transport tariffs, keeping the retail pump price lower by roughly 75c to 81c per litre depending on the specific octane grade.
Petrol Grades, Diesel, and Related Fuels
Understanding the differences between fuel types ensures you choose the correct grade for your vehicle and application.
Petrol Grades: 93 vs. 95 Octane
- 93 Unleaded Petrol (ULP): Typically recommended for vehicles operating at higher altitudes (Inland). The lower atmospheric pressure inland reduces the octane requirement for many naturally aspirated engines.
- 95 Unleaded Petrol (ULP): Required for most modern turbocharged engines and mandatory for vehicles operating at sea level (Coastal) to prevent engine knocking.
Diesel: 50ppm vs. 500ppm
Unlike petrol, retail diesel prices are deregulated in South Africa, meaning individual fuel stations set their own retail margins. The figures provided by the DMPR are wholesale benchmarks.
- Diesel 50ppm (0.005% Sulphur): A highly refined, cleaner fuel preferred by modern passenger vehicles and advanced commercial fleets to protect sensitive exhaust systems.
- Diesel 500ppm (0.05% Sulphur): A higher sulphur option generally used by older industrial machinery, agricultural equipment, or heavy-duty commercial trucks where engine specifications permit.
How to Use This Price Information
Having access to the latest petrol price South Africa today allows you to make informed operational decisions:
- Logistics & Fleet Planning: Commercial operators use the official monthly change parameters to adjust fuel surcharges and freight rates seamlessly.
- Commuter Budgeting: Individual motorists can accurately forecast their monthly transport line items using current c/l metrics.
- Refuelling Strategy: Because price changes take effect precisely at midnight on the first Wednesday of each month, keeping an eye on upcoming adjustments helps you decide whether to fill up late Tuesday night or wait until Wednesday morning.
Related Tools and Updates
As a central hub, this page connects you to specialized modules to help track and analyze fuel market dynamics further:
- Petrol Price Today: Our primary real-time dashboard tracking daily performance metrics.
- Calculate Fuel Cost: An interactive calculator that translates fuel price data into actual Rands spent per kilometer based on your vehicle’s consumption.
- Fuel Forecasts: Tracks daily over- and under-recovery data supplied by the Central Energy Fund (CEF). This tells us ahead of time whether the next month is leaning toward a price cut or a price hike.
Market Watch: Following the massive July cuts, mid-month daily recovery data from mid-July indicates shifting pressures. Rising international oil prices due to renewed Middle East tensions have introduced under-recoveries for diesel, signaling a potential diesel price hike on the horizon for August, while petrol tracks a smaller potential cut. We separate these ongoing market indicators from confirmed official government updates until the DMPR issues its formal directive.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the petrol price change in South Africa?
South Africa’s fuel prices change at midnight on the first Wednesday of every calendar month. The official changes are published a few days prior by the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources.
Why is diesel cheaper at some service stations?
The retail price of diesel is not government-regulated in South Africa, unlike petrol. The government sets a wholesale reference price, allowing individual fuel retailers to compete by setting their own profit margins at the pump.
What is the difference between inland and coastal petrol prices?
The price difference is caused by transport costs. Fuel imported or refined at the coast must be pumped through pipelines or transported via rail and road to inland provinces, adding a transport tariff to the inland pump price.
Where can I calculate my exact trip costs?
You can navigate directly to our Calculate Fuel Cost tool. Enter your vehicle’s fuel efficiency rating and total trip distance to see your exact expenses instantly mapped against the current regulated rates.