What is the petrol price in South Africa in 2026?

South Africa's petrol (95 unleaded) prices in 2026 are approximately ZAR 22–26 per litre in Gauteng (inland, higher due to transport costs) and ZAR 21–25 per litre on the coast. At ZAR 18–20/USD, this equates to approximately USD 1.10–1.40/litre. South African pump prices are set monthly by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) using the Basic Fuel Price (BFP) mechanism — a formula-based calculation that mechanically adjusts prices with crude oil and the ZAR/USD exchange rate.

How does South Africa's Basic Fuel Price (BFP) work?

The Basic Fuel Price (BFP) is South Africa's regulated import parity price for road fuels. It is calculated monthly by the DMRE using a formula that combines: the international product price (import parity of petrol/diesel on the Singapore/ARA/US Gulf markets), the ZAR/USD exchange rate, ocean freight costs from the Persian Gulf to South Africa, insurance costs, and coastal storage and financing charges. The BFP forms the wholesale reference price; the final pump price adds the fuel levy, Road Accident Fund levy, customs and excise, retail margin, transport cost to inland areas, and VAT (currently 15%). A weak rand directly raises the BFP and hence pump prices; higher Brent crude also raises it.

What are the fuel levies in South Africa?

South African pump prices include several statutory levies beyond the Basic Fuel Price: (1) General Fuel Levy (GFL) — approximately ZAR 3.97/l for petrol and ZAR 3.82/l for diesel in 2026, a general revenue levy; (2) Road Accident Fund (RAF) levy — approximately ZAR 2.18/l for both petrol and diesel, funding the Road Accident Fund that compensates road accident victims; (3) Customs and Excise duty; (4) Petroleum Products levy. Together, the levies and VAT account for approximately 35–45% of the South African pump price. The RAF levy has been a source of controversy as the RAF itself remains technically insolvent due to claim backlogs.

South Africa Fuel Prices 2026

Published 1 July 2026 · Updated 19 October 2026

South Africa operates one of the world's most structured regulated fuel pricing systems — the Basic Fuel Price (BFP) mechanism — through which the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) sets monthly pump prices for petrol and diesel based on a formula incorporating international product prices and the ZAR/USD exchange rate. In 2026, South African petrol (95 ULP) prices are approximately ZAR 22–26/litre in Gauteng (~USD 1.10–1.40/l), making fuel costs a significant part of household budgets in a country with limited public transport alternatives.

For African fuel price context, see our Africa fuel price outlook 2026 and our Nigeria subsidy removal analysis.

South African pump prices 2026

Fuel	Coastal price (ZAR/l)	Gauteng price (ZAR/l)	Approx. USD/l
Petrol 95 ULP	ZAR 21–25	ZAR 22–26	~USD 1.10–1.40
Petrol 93 ULP	ZAR 20–24	ZAR 21–25	~USD 1.05–1.35
Diesel (0.05% S)	ZAR 20–24	ZAR 21–25	~USD 1.05–1.35
LPG (autogas)	ZAR 12–15/l equivalent	ZAR 12–15/l	~USD 0.65–0.80

Gauteng prices are higher than coastal prices because of the Inland Transport Recovery Levy — a regulated additional charge covering the pipeline and road transport costs to move fuel from coastal refineries (Durban, Cape Town) to the inland economic centre.

The Basic Fuel Price mechanism

South Africa is a net importer of refined petroleum products. The BFP calculates the cost of importing fuel to South Africa's major port (Durban) and provides the reference wholesale price:

International product price: Average of Singapore, ARA (Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp), and USGC gasoline/gasoil quotes over the prior month
ZAR/USD exchange rate: Monthly average — the most volatile component. A 10% ZAR depreciation adds approximately ZAR 2–3/l to the pump price
Freight: Tanker costs from Middle East/Asia to Durban (~ZAR 1.50–2.50/l depending on route and vessel size)
Insurance and financing: ~ZAR 0.20–0.40/l

For import parity pricing concepts, see our import parity price glossary entry.

Fuel levy breakdown (2026)

Component	Petrol 95 (ZAR/l)	Diesel (ZAR/l)	Purpose
Basic Fuel Price (BFP)	~ZAR 10–14	~ZAR 10–14	Import parity wholesale cost
General Fuel Levy (GFL)	~ZAR 3.97	~ZAR 3.82	General government revenue
Road Accident Fund levy	~ZAR 2.18	~ZAR 2.18	Road accident compensation fund
Retail margin	~ZAR 1.80–2.20	~ZAR 1.80–2.20	Forecourt operator margin (regulated)
Transport & storage	~ZAR 0.80–1.50	~ZAR 0.80–1.50	Pipeline, storage, inland transport
VAT (15%)	~ZAR 2.80–3.50	~ZAR 2.80–3.50	Value-added tax

Road Accident Fund: a structural controversy
The Road Accident Fund levy (~ZAR 2.18/l) contributes approximately ZAR 60–70 billion annually to the RAF — but the RAF has faced persistent insolvency due to claim backlogs and administrative costs. South Africa's high road fatality rate (~12,000 deaths/year) drives large claim volumes. The government has long discussed replacing the RAF with a Road Accident Benefit Scheme (RABS) with capped benefits, but reform has stalled repeatedly. This levy effectively cross-subsidises South Africa's road safety policy through fuel prices.

ZAR/USD exchange rate and pump price sensitivity

Because South Africa prices fuel at import parity and the BFP is calculated in USD, the ZAR/USD exchange rate is the most immediate driver of pump price volatility for South African consumers:

A 10% ZAR depreciation (e.g., ZAR 18 → ZAR 19.8/USD) adds approximately ZAR 1.80–2.50/l to the pump price
The ZAR is among the world's most volatile emerging market currencies, driven by global risk appetite, South Africa's current account position, load-shedding/power supply confidence, and commodity prices
South African consumers face a double exposure: high fuel intensity (limited public transport) + high ZAR volatility = significant household budget exposure

For currency effects on fuel prices, see our currency and fuel prices guide.

Frequently asked questions

What is the petrol price in South Africa in 2026? South Africa petrol 95 ULP is approximately ZAR 22–26/l in Gauteng and ZAR 21–25/l on the coast in 2026 (~USD 1.10–1.40/l). Prices are set monthly by the DMRE using the Basic Fuel Price mechanism linked to international product prices and the ZAR/USD exchange rate. Diesel prices are broadly similar to petrol.: South Africa petrol 95 ULP is approximately ZAR 22–26/l in Gauteng and ZAR 21–25/l on the coast in 2026 (~USD 1.10–1.40/l). Prices are set monthly by the DMRE using the Basic Fuel Price mechanism linked to international product prices and the ZAR/USD exchange rate. Diesel prices are broadly similar to petrol.
How does South Africa's Basic Fuel Price (BFP) work? The BFP is an import-parity pricing formula that calculates the cost of bringing refined fuel to Durban, using average international product prices (Singapore/ARA/USGC), the ZAR/USD exchange rate, ocean freight, insurance, and storage costs. It forms the wholesale reference price; levies (GFL, RAF), retail margin, transport costs, and 15% VAT are added on top.: The BFP is an import-parity pricing formula that calculates the cost of bringing refined fuel to Durban, using average international product prices (Singapore/ARA/USGC), the ZAR/USD exchange rate, ocean freight, insurance, and storage costs. It forms the wholesale reference price; levies (GFL, RAF), retail margin, transport costs, and 15% VAT are added on top.
What are the fuel levies in South Africa? South African pump prices include: General Fuel Levy (~ZAR 3.97/l petrol), Road Accident Fund levy (~ZAR 2.18/l), customs/excise, retail margin (~ZAR 1.80–2.20/l), and 15% VAT. Together, taxes and levies account for ~35–45% of the pump price, with the BFP (import cost) making up the remainder.: South African pump prices include: General Fuel Levy (~ZAR 3.97/l petrol), Road Accident Fund levy (~ZAR 2.18/l), customs/excise, retail margin (~ZAR 1.80–2.20/l), and 15% VAT. Together, taxes and levies account for ~35–45% of the pump price, with the BFP (import cost) making up the remainder.