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.

New Petrol Price in South Africa: Latest Updates & Complete Breakdown

Quick Answer

Fuel prices in South Africa are regulated by the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR) and adjusted on the first Wednesday of every month at midnight. Official monthly adjustments are driven primarily by two key variables: the US Dollar to South African Rand exchange rate and international crude oil/refined product prices (the Basic Fuel Price).

Currently, inland drivers in Gauteng pay R26.92 per litre for 95 Unleaded Petrol and R26.76 per litre for 93 Unleaded Petrol, while coastal drivers pay R26.05 per litre for 95 Unleaded. Diesel prices stand at R29.56 per litre (50ppm)inland and R28.68 per litre along the coast.

Official South African Fuel Prices Overview

South Africa utilizes a dual pricing system divided into Inland (Zone 9C / Gauteng and surrounding interior provinces) and Coastal (Zone 1A / Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape) regions. The price differential accounts for pipeline, rail, and road transport logistics required to move refined fuel from coastal ports to interior hubs.

Fuel Type	Inland Price (per Litre)	Coastal Price (per Litre)	Regional Difference
95 Unleaded Petrol (ULP)	R26.92	R26.05	+87c Inland
93 Unleaded Petrol (ULP)	R26.76	R25.97	+79c Inland
Diesel 50ppm (0.005% Sulphur)	R29.56	R28.68	+R1.26 Inland
Diesel 500ppm (0.05% Sulphur)	R26.16	R25.30	+86c Inland
Illuminating Paraffin	R20.37	R19.35	+R1.02 Inland

Core Drivers of South African Petrol Price Changes

South Africa imports a significant portion of its crude oil and refined petroleum products. As a result, domestic fuel prices are directly linked to international macroeconomic trends and domestic regulatory structures.

1. The Basic Fuel Price (BFP)

The Basic Fuel Price represents what it would cost a South African importer to buy refined fuel from international refineries and transport it to South Africa. BFP calculations incorporate:

• International refined petroleum benchmark prices (Mediterranean and Persian Gulf spot prices).
• International shipping freight rates.
• Insurance, ocean losses, and wharfage charges.

2. USD/ZAR Exchange Rate

Because international oil transactions are denominated in US Dollars, any depreciation of the South African Rand against the US Dollar increases the cost of importing fuel. Conversely, a stronger Rand acts as a buffer against high global oil prices.

3. International Crude Oil Prices

Fluctuations in global Brent crude oil prices—driven by OPEC+ production decisions, geopolitical tensions, and global demand cycles—feed directly into refined product spot rates, creating under-recovery (price deficit) or over-recovery (price surplus) during the monthly review period.

Government Levies, Taxes, and Margins Breakdown

Approximately 30% to 35% of the total price you pay at the pump goes toward fixed government taxes, statutory levies, and supply-chain margins rather than the actual fuel cost.

Total Retail Pump Price
├── Basic Fuel Price (BFP) [~50-55%]
├── Government Taxes & Statutory Levies [~30-35%]
│   ├── General Fuel Levy (GFL)
│   ├── Road Accident Fund (RAF) Levy
│   ├── Customs & Excise Duty
│   └── Petroleum Products Levy
└── Logistics & Commercial Margins [~15%]
    ├── Wholesale Margin
    ├── Retailer / Dealer Margin
    └── Service Cost Recoveries & Transport Costs

• General Fuel Levy (GFL): A direct tax collected by the National Treasury to fund general government expenditure.
• Road Accident Fund (RAF) Levy: A ring-fenced levy used to compensate third-party victims of motor vehicle accidents on South African roads.
• Retailer Margin: A fixed cents-per-litre amount set by government regulation to ensure service station owners cover operational costs, staffing, and business overheads.
• Slate Levy: A variable mechanism used to compensate fuel importers when accumulated under-recoveries exceed regulatory thresholds.

Inland vs. Coastal Fuel Prices: Why the Difference?

The geographic location of fuel consumption plays a major role in final pump prices:

1. Coastal Rates: Ports in Cape Town, Durban, and Gqeberha receive imported refined fuels directly. Consequently, coastal consumers do not pay additional inland transport levies.
2. Inland Rates: Petroleum distributed to Gauteng, Free State, Mpumalanga, and North West must travel hundreds of kilometers inland via Transnet pipelines, rail tankers, or road transport. The inland transport zone cost is added directly to the BFP to reflect these logistics expenses.
3. Diesel Deregulation: Unlike petrol, which has a strictly mandated retail price ceiling, diesel retail margins are deregulated. This means individual fuel station brands (Shell, BP, Engen, Sasol, TotalEnergies, Caltex/Astron) may offer slight price variations at the pump for diesel.

Smart Fuel-Saving Strategies for South African Drivers

• Maintain Correct Tyre Pressure: Under-inflated tyres increase rolling resistance, reducing fuel efficiency by up to 3%.
• Reduce Vehicle Weight & Drag: Remove roof racks, bike carriers, and heavy boot items when not in use.
• Adopt Smooth Driving Habits: Harsh acceleration and abrupt braking consume up to 20% more fuel compared to progressive throttle input.
• Utilize Rewards & Cash Back Programs: Most major service stations partner with banking and loyalty programs (e.g., eBucks, Discovery Insure, UCount, Clubcard) to offer cash back or rewards per litre filled.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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

Fuel prices are adjusted officially once per month, taking effect at midnight on the first Wednesday of every new calendar month. Adjustments are gazetted by the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR) based on the accumulated under- or over-recovery data provided by the Central Energy Fund (CEF).

2. Why is petrol cheaper in coastal regions than inland?

Coastal regions are closer to sea ports where imported fuel is offloaded. Inland provinces (like Gauteng and the Free State) incur additional transport costs to move fuel inland via pipelines, rail, and road, which are added to the final retail pump price.

3. What is an “under-recovery” or “over-recovery”?

An under-recovery occurs when the daily Basic Fuel Price is higher than the official price set at the beginning of the month, meaning importers are selling fuel at a loss and pump prices must rise the following month. An over-recoveryoccurs when the domestic price is higher than import costs, resulting in a price drop for motorists.

4. How much of the petrol price goes toward taxes and government levies?

Between R6.00 and R7.00 per litre (roughly 30% to 35% of the total cost at the pump) goes directly to government taxes and levies, primarily the General Fuel Levy (GFL) and the Road Accident Fund (RAF) levy.

5. What is the difference between 93 Unleaded and 95 Unleaded petrol?

The number refers to the octane rating, which measures the fuel’s resistance to premature detonation (knocking). modern, turbocharged engines operating at high altitudes benefit from 95 Unleaded, whereas naturally aspirated engines or older vehicles running at high altitudes (inland) can run safely and efficiently on 93 Unleaded.

6. Does the price of diesel work the same way as petrol in South Africa?

No. The government sets a fixed retail price for petrol, making it identical across all filling stations within the same pricing zone. For diesel, the government sets only a wholesale price guide; retail prices are deregulated, allowing individual fuel stations to compete on price.