RAF Levy Fuel Price: current price
The current RAF levy fuel price in South Africa is 225.0 c/l (or R2.25 per litre).
This rate became effective on 1 April 2026, following the official National Budget announcement by the Minister of Finance and implementation by the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR) alongside the South African Revenue Service (SARS).
Current RAF Levy: R2.25 / litre (225.0 cents / litre)
Effective Date: 1 April 2026
Applicability: National (Inland & Coastal)
Fuels Covered: Petrol (93 & 95 ULP/LRP), Diesel (50ppm & 500ppm)
The Road Accident Fund (RAF) levy is a fixed statutory tax added to every litre of fuel sold at forecourts across South Africa. The proceeds are ring-fenced and paid directly to the Road Accident Fund to provide third-party insurance coverage for all road users, compensating victims injured in motor vehicle accidents within South African borders.
Unlike market-driven fuel price components that fluctuate every month, the latest RAF levy fuel price remains constant throughout the fiscal year unless statutory tax policy changes are enacted by Parliament.
Latest petrol and fuel price table
To understand how the RAF levy fuel price South Africa fits into what you pay at the pump, it is helpful to look at the complete breakdown of taxes, margins, and import costs.
The total retail price of petrol and diesel consists of two primary parts: the Basic Fuel Price (BFP) (the international cost of purchasing refined fuel) and Domestic Taxes & Margins (fixed statutory levies, wholesale/retail margins, and distribution costs).
The table below illustrates where the RAF levy sits within the standard fuel price structure across South Africa:
| Fuel Price Component | Rate (Cents per Litre) | Rate (Rand per Litre) | Type / Determinant |
| Basic Fuel Price (BFP) | Variable (Monthly) | Variable (Monthly) | Crude Oil Price & USD/ZAR Rate |
| General Fuel Levy (GFL) | 410.0 c/l (Petrol) / 393.0 c/l (Diesel) | R4.10 / R3.93 | Fixed National Tax (National Treasury) |
| Road Accident Fund (RAF) Levy | 225.0 c/l | R2.25 | Fixed Ring-Fenced Statutory Levy |
| Customs & Excise Duty | 4.0 c/l | R0.04 | Fixed National Import Duty |
| Carbon Fuel Levy | 19.0 c/l (Petrol) / 23.0 c/l (Diesel) | R0.19 / R0.23 | Environmental Statutory Tax |
| Petroleum Products Levy | ~0.33 c/l | ~R0.0033 | Regulatory Oversight Fee |
| Wholesale & Retail Margins | ~280.0 c/l – 310.0 c/l | ~R2.80 – R3.10 | Regulated Industry Operating Margins |
| Zone Differential (Transport) | Variable by Zone | Variable by Zone | Distance from Coastal Ports (Inland) |
Key Takeaway: Combined statutory taxes—comprising the General Fuel Levy, the RAF Levy, the Carbon Fuel Levy, and Customs Duty—account for roughly R6.58 per litre on petrol and R6.45 per litre on diesel. Of this total tax burden, the RAF levy alone represents approximately 34% to 35% of all taxes paid per litre at the pump.
For a complete breakdown of every statutory tax, logistics fee, and retail margin component, explore our detailed guide on the fuel price breakdown South Africa.
Price change from the previous month
When checking the RAF levy fuel price today, motorists often wonder why fuel pump prices change on the first Wednesday of every month while the RAF levy component stays the same.
Annual Budget Adjustments vs. Monthly Price Changes
- Monthly BFP Adjustments: The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR) adjusts retail petrol and wholesale diesel prices on a monthly basis. These monthly changes are driven almost entirely by international Brent crude oil prices and the Rand/US Dollar (USD/ZAR) exchange rate.
- Annual RAF Levy Adjustments: The RAF levy fuel price 2026 rate changes only through National Treasury announcements in the annual February Budget Speech, taking effect on April 1st of each year.
April 2021 – March 2026: 218.0 c/l (R2.18 / litre) [5-Year Freeze]
Effective 1 April 2026: 225.0 c/l (R2.25 / litre) [+7.0 c/l Increase]
Prior to the April 2026 adjustment, the RAF levy was kept frozen at 218.0 c/l (R2.18 per litre) for five consecutive fiscal years (2021 to 2026) to cushion South African consumers from rising inflation and global market shocks.
In the 2026 National Budget, Treasury announced a 7.0 c/l increase in the RAF levy (raising it to 225.0 c/l) alongside a 9.0 c/l increase in the General Fuel Levy for petrol. This 7 c/l increase added R3.50 to the cost of filling a standard 50-litre fuel tank.
Inland vs coastal prices
A frequent point of confusion when searching for the current RAF levy fuel price is whether the rate differs between coastal regions (such as Cape Town, Durban, or Gqeberha) and inland provinces (such as Gauteng, Free State, or Limpopo).
Does the RAF Levy Change by Province or Location?
No. The RAF levy is a uniform national statutory charge administered directly by SARS. It applies at the exact same rate of 225.0 c/l (R2.25/l) regardless of where you refuel in South Africa.
Inland RAF Levy Rate: 225.0 c/l (R2.25 / litre)
Coastal RAF Levy Rate: 225.0 c/l (R2.25 / litre)
Difference: 0.0 c/l (Identical Nationally)
Why Are Inland Pump Prices Higher Than Coastal Prices?
While the RAF levy and General Fuel Levy are identical nationwide, pump prices in inland regions are higher due to the Zone Differential (Gauteng Transport Cost).
Because refined fuel imported or refined at coastal ports must be transported inland via pipelines, rail, or road tankers, a transport tariff is added to inland fuel prices. However, this price difference is strictly tied to logistics costs—not the RAF levy.
Petrol grades, diesel and related fuels
The RAF levy fuel price South Africa framework applies across almost all refined motor fuels, but its practical cost impact varies depending on whether you drive a petrol passenger vehicle or manage a commercial diesel fleet.
Petrol Grades (93 & 95 ULP / LRP)
Whether you fill up with 93 Unleaded in Gauteng or 95 Unleaded at the coast, the RAF levy is charged at 225.0 c/l. It is included in the maximum retail price enforced by law at all filling stations.
Diesel Grades (50ppm & 500ppm)
Diesel fuel carries the exact same 225.0 c/l RAF levy as petrol. However, because diesel prices are wholesale-regulated rather than retail-capped, retail service stations set their own final pump margins.
Commercial Fleets and Diesel Rebates
Many primary industries—such as farming, forestry, and mining—qualify for partial diesel tax rebates under the SARS Diesel Refund Scheme.
Important Refund Rule: The SARS Diesel Refund Scheme allows qualifying commercial operators to claim back a portion of the General Fuel Levy. However, the RAF levy is strictly non-refundable. Every commercial road transport operator and fleet manager must pay the full 225.0 c/l RAF levy on every litre consumed on public roads.
For a commercial truck with a 500-litre fuel tank, the RAF levy alone costs R1,125.00 per fill. For a logistics fleet running 20 long-haul trucks filling weekly, the RAF levy represents an operational tax expenditure of over R90,000 per month.
To learn more about statutory fuel taxes and how they affect different fuel types, read our guide on fuel levy South Africa.
How to use this price information
Understanding how much of your monthly fuel budget goes directly toward the Road Accident Fund allows you to calculate actual vehicle operating expenses, plan corporate travel budgets, and track personal expenditure.
Quick Calculation Formula
To calculate how much money you pay to the Road Accident Fund each month, use this simple formula:
$$\text{Monthly RAF Contribution (Rand)} = \left(\frac{\text{Total Litres Fueled}}{100}\right) \times 225$$
Alternatively, multiply your total litres filled by R2.25.
Practical Example: Monthly Commuter Cost
- Vehicle Tank Capacity: 45 Litres
- Fills per Month: 3 Full Tanks (135 Litres total)
- RAF Levy Rate: R2.25 per litre
- Monthly RAF Contribution: $135 \times \text{R2.25} = \mathbf{\text{R303.75}}$
In this example, out of your total monthly fuel spend, R303.75 goes directly to government tax collection for the Road Accident Fund.
To easily convert litres, distance, and fuel consumption into exact rand figures for your specific car model, use our interactive tool to calculate fuel cost.
Related tools and updates
Staying up to date with South Africa’s fuel pricing ecosystem requires distinguishing between daily speculative indicators and official, legally binding adjustments.
Key Market Indicators to Track
- Central Energy Fund (CEF) Daily Updates: The CEF publishes daily over- and under-recovery estimates based on international oil market swings and exchange rate movements. These daily figures indicate where Basic Fuel Prices are heading for the upcoming month.
- Official DMPR Price Announcements: Issued during the final days of each month by the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, these announcements set the official fuel price changes for the first Wednesday of the new month.
- National Treasury Budget Speech: Delivered annually every February, this speech outlines statutory updates to the RAF Levy, General Fuel Levy, and Carbon Tax effective from April 1st.
Official Sources Hierarchy:
1. National Treasury --> Sets Annual Statutory Taxes (RAF Levy, GFL)
2. SARS --> Enforces Tax Tariffs & Schedules
3. DMPR --> Publishes Monthly Fuel Price Adjustments
4. CEF --> Provides Daily Indicator Estimates
Caution on Forecast Wording: Media reports often state that fuel prices “will rise by R2.00” based on mid-month CEF snapshots. Always check for official DMPR statements before finalizing operational budgets.
To build a complete understanding of how crude oil markets, exchange rates, and government policies determine monthly prices, visit our comprehensive hub on fuel price education.
Frequently asked questions
What is the current RAF levy fuel price today in South Africa?
The current RAF levy rate is 225.0 cents per litre (R2.25 per litre) on both petrol and diesel nationwide. This rate took effect on 1 April 2026 following the National Budget announcement.
How often does the RAF levy change?
Unlike retail petrol and wholesale diesel prices—which change on the first Wednesday of every month—the RAF levy changes only when Parliament amends statutory tax rates, typically announced during the annual February Budget Speech to take effect on April 1st.
Do commercial farmers or logistics fleets get a rebate on the RAF levy?
No. While qualifying primary commercial sectors (agriculture, forestry, mining) can claim partial refunds on the General Fuel Levy under the SARS Diesel Refund Scheme, the RAF levy is strictly non-refundable for all fuel users.
Where does the money collected from the RAF fuel levy go?
The funds are collected by SARS at refinery gates and fuel depots and transferred directly to the Road Accident Fund. The RAF uses these revenues to pay medical, rehabilitation, indemnity, and loss-of-income claims to victims of road traffic accidents in South Africa.