The customs duty on imported sugar increased by about 44% on Friday, raising the charge from 483.72c/kg to 697.92c/kg.
This is equivalent to an increase from R4 837.20 to R6 979.20 per tonne of imported sugar.
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) implemented the change through Notice R.7864, published in Government Gazette 55269 on August 28.
The amendment applies to sugar classified under tariff subheadings 1701.12, 1701.13, 1701.14, 1701.91 and 1701.99 in Part 1 of Schedule No. 1 to the Customs and Excise Act.
The higher duty follows an increase in the dollar-based reference price for sugar from $680 to $785 per tonne, according to SARS. The amendment is based on ITAC Report 781.
The previous duty of 483.72c/kg had been in effect since February 13, when it was increased from 436.38c/kg under South Africa’s variable tariff formula.
The sugar industry has been calling for stronger tariff protection in response to increased imports.
Almost 200 000 tonnes of refined sugar entered South Africa during 2025, according to figures published by SA Canegrowers in March.
The organisation estimated that displaced local sugar sales cost the industry about R1.5 billion during the 2025/26 season. It attributed the increase in imports to low international sugar prices, the rand-dollar exchange rate and what it described as inadequate tariff protection.
SA Canegrowers called on the International Trade Administration Commission to finalise its tariff review and implement stronger protection for the domestic industry.
