How To Sell Petrol In South Africa

About applying for a petroleum wholesale licence

If you want to sell petroleum products to consumers for end-use, you must apply for a wholesale license from the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy.

The license allows you to buy petroleum products in bulk (1 500 liters or more, per transaction of petroleum products) from a licensed manufacturer, and to sell them to end-users.

The licence is valid for as long as your business operates.

What you should do

  1. Complete the form Application for wholesale licence, DMRE 38.
  2. Send the application form to the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy regional office.
  3. The Department will send you a letter stipulating that you must publish a notice of application in four newspapers.
  4. You must provide proof of the publication of the notice of application to the department.
  5. Once you have a licence, you must submit information on your business annually using the Wholesale licence annual information (Submission Form), DMRE 30.

How long does it take

You should receive a response within 90 days from the date when the Department received proof of publication of the notice of application.

How much does it cost

  • R1 000
  • R500 annual licence fee.

Forms to complete

How do I start a petrol station in South Africa?

Selling Price of business R 5 000 000.00 net profit +- R 120,000 pm.

Plus: Stock R 600 000.00.

Plus Working Capital R 500 000.00.

Other: e.g. Training, Licence application, etc.

Oil company fuel guarantee R800,000.

TOTAL Funding Requirement R 7 000 000.00.

  • Less: required Own Cash Contribution R 3 500 000.00
  • Therefore Loan amount NOT to be in excess of R 3 500 000.00
  • 100% Funding will have a loan payback of +- R135,000 per month for 5 years, note business net profit is only +-R120,000 per month.
  1. If you, as a potential purchaser, intend to borrow any funds from the National Empowerment Fund (N.E.F), Ithala, DTI, or a similar Financial Institution, then, PRIOR written “Approval in Principle” for your intended loan amount MUST be obtained by you FIRST.
  2. NO communications with you will be entertained by us unless you obtain this “Approval in Principle” and return it to us.
  3. You MUST personally operate the business FULL TIME yourself and may NOT be FULLY active in any OTHER business or employment activity at the same time.
  4. You MUST live within a time period of 20 minutes from the business that you intend to purchase (for emergency reasons).
  5. ALL parties to ANY Sale Agreement MUST attend the Oil Company’s training courses PRIOR to taking occupation of the premises or business.
  6. The preferred age group for applicants is between 25 and 50 years old.
  7. Any previous Petrol Station or General Dealer shop experience is an advantage but NOT a specific requirement.
  8. Any previous or present business and /or management, supervisory, or general retail experience will be an added advantage.

10.The Oil Companies would prefer that you do NOT own or be directly associated with a DIFFERENT brand of fuel from the one that you intend acquiring. For example, you may NOT purchase an Engen service station business if you are already directly associated with, or own, a Shell service station business. This is to obviate conflicts of interest or brand loyalty.

  1. In the event of a Company, Trust, or Close Corporation purchasing the business where MORE than one person will own that ENTIRE entity, then, in such an event, THAT entity shall when called upon to do so by the Oil Company, by way of a Resolution, duly appoint a person who shall act for and on behalf of that entity, to sign all documents, make decisions and act in the best interest of that entity at all times.
  2. You will be required to provide documentary PROOF of your Finances to us and a Seller upon submission of an offer.
  3. Furthermore, the Oil Company will require you to also provide them with the same documentary proof, PRIOR to you being interviewed by the Oil Company for the Petrol Station that you elect to purchase.
  4. In some instances, the Oil Company may prefer a B.E.E. (Black Economic Empowerment) applicant or an arrangement whereby a black person will own a minimum 51% share in the business for a particular Petrol Station.
  5. The Oil Company leases are normally 5 years, or 3 years with an option to renew for 2 years, duration.
  6. In Some instances, the Oil Company might insist to interview at least 3 to 4 Buyers for one of their Own / Controlled Sites before they make an appointment.
  7. You are welcome to contact us. Petrol station for sale buy or sell.