What the law says about bulk buying petrol in South Africa
South Africa is facing enormous petrol and diesel price hikes next month due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
The latest data from the Central Energy Fund (CEF) indicates that petrol will receive a hike of more than R4 per litre, while diesel will take a massive hit of over R7 per litre.
In addition to the financial strain these hikes will cause, many have also raised concerns over possible fuel shortages stemming from the disruptions to the international oil supply chain.
Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz and attacked multiple commercial ships in the Gulf, shutting down a channel where 20% of the world’s daily oil supplies normally pass through.
Fuel suppliers in rural areas have already begun to limit the sale of diesel to high-volume commercial customers in the agricultural industry, though similar restrictions have not yet been applied at regular forecourts.
However, an obvious consequence of these events is that motorists will take every opportunity to fill their cars this month before the price hikes take effect in April, likely leading to long queues at petrol stations across the country over the coming weeks.
Car owners may also be tempted to purchase fuel in bulk to see themselves through the oil crisis, which is something they are legally allowed to do, though there is a limit.
TopAuto recently contacted the Fuels Industry Association of South Africa to learn more about the country’s laws regarding the large-scale purchasing and storing of petroleum products, particularly during times of possible shortages.
We asked the association whether there is a legal limit on the amount of petrol and diesel a private motorist can buy and store.
“There is no national regulation specifying a maximum quantity of petrol that a customer may buy for a vehicle,” said the Fuels Industry Association.
“Normally customers fill their car tanks up to full capacity. Private motorist can transport petrol up to 500 litres and diesel up to 1,000 litres and they are exempt from the dangerous goods provisions.”
The Dangerous Goods Provision refers to regulations governing the transport, marking, storage, usage, and environmental impact of chemicals and other potentially dangerous substances.
Sections 7.4.2 and 7.4.3 of the National Road Traffic Act outline the exemptions related to the transport of gases and liquid fuels.
It states that the required restrictions shall not apply to:
a) fuel contained in tanks of a vehicle performing a transport operation and intended for the operation of any of its equipment with the following restrictions:
- When contained in tanks permanently connected to the vehicle’s engine or auxillary equipment (or both), it shall not exceed the quantities specified in table 2: and
- When contained in portable fuel containers (such as Jerricans), a maximum of 60 litres may be carried per vehicle
Table 2
| 1 | 2 |
|---|---|
| Transport unit | Maximum quantity (litres) |
| Drawing vehicle | 1,500 |
| Combination | 1,500 |
| Trailer | 500 |
You can buy additional fuel at petrol stations
South Africans are allowed to fill jerry cans or other metal containers at petrol stations. However, plastic containers are not permitted due to flash fire risks.
“The issue with the specific regulation was raised repeatedly by the Association in 2021/2022 with wording changes to rectify this regulation,” said the Fuels Industry Association.
“There was no response as far as internal records show. It was pursued for a year at least.”
“Many service stations continue to sell fuel in jerry cans. The SANS 10231 codes reference a 60L limit.”
The association referred to a media statement published by the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMRE) back in 2021.
“The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy has considered the concerns it has received from valid used of containers to purchase petrol and diesel for various reasons. Against this backdrop, the department has reviewed the Regulations gazetted on 16 July 2021, with the intention to clarify what is referred to by a “container”.
“For the purposes of these Regulations, a “Container” refers to an object that is not approved for the holding or transporting of petrol and diesel according to the relevant South African National Standards (SANS). An amendment that contains the revised definition will be issued and gazetted soon.”
The association noted that the personal storage of fuel is regulated by local authority bylaws and will therefore vary from province to province.
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