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.
As of September 2026, the official wholesale price of illuminating paraffin in South Africa is R20.89 per litre inland and R17.70 per litre in coastal regions, following a R1.52 per litre increase implemented by the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR). The official Single Maximum National Retail Price (SMNRP)—the maximum legal price retailers can charge consumers at the pump or counter—is R20.37 per litre inland and R19.35 per litre at the coast. Paraffin prices are regulated at the government level and updated on the first Wednesday of every month based on global energy market trends, transport costs, and foreign exchange rates.
Current Illuminating Paraffin Prices in South Africa
The table below outlines the current official prices for illuminating paraffin (IP) across South Africa:
| Region / Zone | Wholesale Price (per Litre) | Maximum Retail Price / SMNRP (per Litre) | Change vs. Previous Month |
| Inland (Gauteng, FS, NW, MP, LP) | R20.89 | R20.37 | ↑ R2.13 / L (Wholesale) |
| Coastal (WC, KZN, EC, NC Coast) | R17.70 | R19.35 | ↑ R2.13 / L (Wholesale) |
Note: Prices are regulated by the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR) and remain in effect until the next official monthly price adjustment on Wednesday, 2 September 2026.
Understanding the Single Maximum National Retail Price (SMNRP)
Unlike petrol and diesel, which are primarily regulated at the refinery or pump level, illuminating paraffin is subject to a legal price cap known as the Single Maximum National Retail Price (SMNRP).
Because millions of South African households rely on paraffin as an essential source of energy for heating, lighting, and cooking, the government established the SMNRP mechanism in 2003 to protect low-income consumers from unfair markups and price gouging.
How SMNRP is Calculated
The SMNRP is calculated by adding a fixed, regulated retail mark-up (covering dealer operating costs, delivery, and a capped profit margin) to the official wholesale price of illuminating paraffin. Retailers, spaza shops, and service stations are legally permitted to sell paraffin at or below the SMNRP, but charging above this price is illegal.
Key Factors That Influence Paraffin Prices in South Africa
The monthly price of illuminating paraffin in South Africa fluctuates based on several local and international economic variables:
- International Refined Petroleum Prices (Basic Fuel Price)
Illuminating paraffin is a refined petroleum product closely tied to international kerosene and jet fuel benchmarks. Shifts in global crude oil supply, refinery capacities, and international demand directly impact the Basic Fuel Price (BFP) calculated by the Central Energy Fund (CEF). - Rand vs. US Dollar Exchange Rate (ZAR/USD)
Oil and refined products are traded internationally in US Dollars. When the South African Rand weakens against the Dollar, the cost of importing crude oil and refined paraffin increases in local currency terms, pushing retail prices up. - Magisterial Zone Differentials (Transport Tariffs)
Paraffin refined at coastal ports or imported via harbor terminals must be transported inland via pipeline, rail, or road tanker. Transport costs are factored into local fuel zone prices, making paraffin more expensive in inland provinces than in coastal regions. - Seasonal Demand Shifts
Global and domestic demand for heating fuels typically rises during winter months (May through August), which can exert upward pressure on international wholesale product prices.
Why Paraffin Prices Differ Between Inland and Coastal Areas
The price difference between coastal regions and inland provinces (such as Gauteng) is due to zone transport differentials.
When crude oil or refined products land at coastal ports (such as Durban or Cape Town), coastal consumers incur minimal transport tariffs. However, moving paraffin inland to central distribution hubs requires rail, road, or pipeline transport managed by Transnet and private freight networks. This additional freight cost is added directly to the wholesale price in inland zones.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How often are paraffin prices adjusted in South Africa?
Paraffin prices are updated on the first Wednesday of every month by the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR), alongside official adjustments to petrol, diesel, and liquid petroleum gas (LPG) prices.
2. Is illuminating paraffin subject to the General Fuel Levy or RAF Levy?
No. Unlike petrol and diesel, illuminating paraffin is exempt from the General Fuel Levy and the Road Accident Fund (RAF) Levy. It is also exempt from Value-Added Tax (VAT) when sold as an essential heating fuel, keeping costs lower for vulnerable households.
3. What is the difference between wholesale paraffin price and SMNRP?
The wholesale price is the cost at which fuel distributors purchase paraffin from refiners or importers. The Single Maximum National Retail Price (SMNRP) is the maximum price a retailer, service station, or trader is legally allowed to charge end consumers per litre.
4. Can a store charge more than the official paraffin retail price?
No. Charging more than the published SMNRP for illuminating paraffin is a violation of the Petroleum Products Act. Retailers can sell paraffin at a discount below the SMNRP, but exceeding the maximum retail price is strictly illegal.
5. Where can consumers report illegal paraffin price gouging?
Consumers who suspect a retailer or spaza shop is charging above the legal SMNRP can report the store to the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR) or lodge a complaint with the National Consumer Commission (NCC).
6. Why did paraffin prices increase this month?
The latest price increase was primarily driven by higher international refined product prices (kerosene) on international markets, combined with slight movements in the Rand/Dollar exchange rate during the monthly review period.