Sars refutes claims it is responsible for jet fuel shortage in East London

South Africa’s tax authority on Saturday rejected claims that it is responsible for a jet-fuel shortage in East London, saying an article alleging a “licencing crisis” at the South African Revenue Service (Sars) is inaccurate and misrepresents the facts.

This was in response to an article published on News24 titled "East London airport down to one day's jet fuel amid Sar licencing crisis". The article, viewed objectively, seeks to apportion blame to SARS for delays in licencing jet fuel storage facilities in Durban and East London, Sars said..

“There is no licencing crisis at Sars,” the agency said, adding that Commissioner Edward Kieswetter had granted special permission on October 14, 2024 allowing the importation of aviation and illuminating kerosene from October 21, 2024 to October, 20 2025 to avert fuel shortages at airports. The temporary measure was introduced after a sharp fall in local manufacturing forced the country to rely more heavily on imports.

However, Sars said that despite the dispensation being in place for nearly a year, only three entities applied for storage licences. When the import-permission period was extended in mid-2025, only the same three companies renewed their licences.

The agency said it has continued to prioritise supply security while also enforcing compliance under the Customs and Excise Act. Sars halted imports into unlicensed facilities in early November and worked with operators to regularise their applications. A major importer applied for a licence on 19 November for tanks used to store aviation and illuminating kerosene; the application was fast-tracked and approved on 27 November.

Sars said the East London facility at the centre of the News24 report had applied for a new licence but had not yet delicensed its existing one, as required by law.

"As things stand, the facility in East London has applied for a license to import aviation and illuminating kerosene but has not delicenced its previous licence for the same facility, in line with the law. Sars is currently assisting this entity to expedite the process, in line with our commitment to ensuring the security of supply. As it relates to the Burgan Terminal in Cape Town, the matter of a detained jet fuel was resolved, and the jet fuel was released on Tuesday, 25 November 2025. The importer is now applying for the facility's licencing," it said.

Sars said it recognised the vital role of the fuel industry in supplying aviation and illuminating kerosene to all major airports, and, in this regard, it appreciates the importance of fuel availability during this peak travel season

BUSINESS REPORT