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.
South Africa’s petrol price rose by 96 c/l for 93 petrol and 107 c/l for 95 petrol, effective Wednesday, 2 September 2026. Inland motorists pay R26.76 per litre for 93 petrol and R26.92 for 95 petrol, while coastal pump prices move to R25.97 and R26.05 respectively, reversing the relief seen in August as firmer international product prices and a slate levy that rose rather than cushioned push costs higher.
Petrol Price September 2026: Official Update
September petrol-price change at a glance
- Petrol 93: 96 c/l increase
- Petrol 95: 107 c/l increase
- Effective date: Wednesday, 2 September 2026
- Status: Official adjustment confirmed by the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR)
When the September prices take effect
The official fuel price adjustments come into operation on the first Wednesday of the month. Motorists and transport operators should budget for the higher pump rates from the beginning of the business day on Wednesday, 2 September 2026. The DMPR has confirmed these figures and they are now in effect.
September 2026 Petrol Prices in South Africa
The table below sets out the projected pricing schedule for September 2026, comparing it against the confirmed August rates across inland and coastal zones.
| Product | August Price | September Price | Monthly Change |
| Inland Petrol 93 | R25.42 | R26.76 | +134 c/l |
| Inland Petrol 95 | R25.58 | R26.92 | +134 c/l |
| Coastal Petrol 93 | R24.63 | R25.97 | +134 c/l |
| Coastal Petrol 95 | R24.71 | R26.05 | +134 c/l |
What the September Adjustment Means for Motorists
The increase lands on a baseline that already carries the fully reinstated General Fuel Levy, so there is no remaining tax cushion to soften it. Based on the projected movement, filling up would cost the following additional amounts:
- 40-litre fill (93): Approximately R53.60 more
- 50-litre fill (93): Approximately R67.00 more
- 50-litre fill (95): Approximately R67.00 more
- 60-litre fill (95): Approximately R80.40 more
Note: Actual costs depend on the total litres purchased, your specific vehicle fuel grade, and your geographic pricing zone.
Primary CTA: Calculate how the September petrol-price change affects your fuel costs.
Other Fuel-Price Changes in September 2026
Diesel users face a considerably steeper increase than petrol motorists this cycle:
- Diesel 0.05% sulphur (wholesale): 271 c/l increase (Inland wholesale reaches R29.11/l; Coastal reaches R28.24/l)
- Diesel 0.005% sulphur (wholesale): 292 c/l increase (Inland wholesale reaches R29.56/l; Coastal reaches R28.68/l)
- Illuminating paraffin: No September projection has been published; the last confirmed wholesale prices are R20.89/l inland and R19.84/l coastal, effective 5 August 2026
Diesel pump prices may vary by service station since diesel is a deregulated retail product, unlike petrol. For the full breakdown, see our diesel price September 2026 guide.
Why Petrol Prices Increased in September
The projected September increase is shaped by firmer international product costs and the near-exhaustion of the domestic buffer that absorbed pressure in August:
Crude-oil prices
The average international Brent crude oil price firmed during the review period, holding in the upper US$80-per-barrel range after averaging around US$82 in the previous cycle. Renewed geopolitical tension in key shipping corridors kept a risk premium in the market.
International petrol-product prices
Refined petrol-product prices rose over the review cycle, though far less sharply than diesel. A severe squeeze on global diesel refining capacity pulled refinery output toward distillate production, which tightened supply and lifted product cracks across the barrel.
Rand–US dollar exchange rate
The rand was comparatively stable against the US dollar over the review window, so currency movement was not a material driver this cycle. The increase is almost entirely attributable to international product costs rather than to the exchange rate.
Slate levy adjustment
The slate levy was cut from 113.94 c/l to 61.38 c/l in August, and that reduction did much of the work in delivering the August decrease. In September it moved the other way, rising 21.90 c/l to 83.28 c/l, so instead of cushioning the adjustment it added to it.
Inland vs Coastal Petrol Prices
South African fuel pricing accounts for transport logistics and secondary distribution costs:
- Inland prices are higher because fuel must be transported inland from coastal ports (predominantly Durban).
- Coastal prices remain lower due to the absence of long-distance inland transport surcharges.
The zone differential is unchanged: inland 95 petrol sits 87 c/l above the coastal price, and inland 93 petrol sits 79 c/l above it.
August to September 2026 Price Comparison
The table below highlights the projected transition from August to September 2026 and the additional cost per 50-litre tank:
| Fuel Grade & Zone | August Price | September Price | Difference (c/l) | 50-Litre Tank Cost |
| Inland Petrol 93 | R25.42 | R26.76 | +134 c/l | R67.00 |
| Inland Petrol 95 | R25.58 | R26.92 | +134 c/l | R67.00 |
| Coastal Petrol 93 | R24.63 | R25.97 | +134 c/l | R67.00 |
| Coastal Petrol 95 | R24.71 | R26.05 | +134 c/l | R67.00 |
For historical context on previous monthly adjustments, review our comprehensive fuel price updates archive, or compare directly against petrol price August 2026.
Methodology and Source Note
South African fuel prices are adjusted on the first Wednesday of every month by the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources. These adjustments are calculated from international crude oil pricing, refined product market movements, the rand-to-US-dollar exchange rate, and domestic elements such as the slate levy and transport tariffs.
- Official Adjustment: Confirmed increase
- Effective Date: 2 September 2026
- Data Source: Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR) official release
- Previous Cycle: DMPR official prices effective 5 August 2026
- Last Updated: 1 September 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the petrol price increasing or decreasing in September 2026?
Petrol increased. Petrol 93 rises by 96 c/l and petrol 95 by 107 c/l from 2 September 2026, reversing the 52 c/l decrease recorded in August.
When does the September petrol price take effect?
The new prices take effect at midnight, reflecting at pumps from Wednesday, 2 September 2026.
Are these figures official?
Yes. These are the official figures published by the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, effective 2 September 2026.
How much more will a 50-litre tank cost?
A 96 c/l increase adds an estimated R67.00 to a 50-litre tank of 93 petrol, while the 107 c/l increase on 95 petrol adds about R67.00.