Vape Duty 2026: What This Means for Vapers

A UKVIA survey of almost 3,500 adult vapers found that more than half did not know the new Vaping Products Duty was being introduced. Among those who were unaware of the duty, almost 60% did not know that it would also apply to nicotine-free vaping products.

So if your usual vape suddenly costs more, one shop is charging a different price from another, or you've started noticing unfamiliar stamps on packs, there is a reason.

Vaping Products Duty came into force on 1 October 2026. It introduced a flat duty of £2.20 per 10ml of vaping liquid, whether the liquid contains nicotine or not.

But not every product changed overnight.

For the next few months, old stock and new duty-paid stock will exist side by side. That means two prices, different-looking packs and even stamped and unstamped versions of the same product can all appear on legitimate UK shelves.

Here is what you actually need to know.

What does Vape Duty mean for consumers?

Your vape may cost a bit more now, but not every product will go up by the same amount - it all comes down to how much vaping liquid is inside, since that's what the duty is based on. You might even spot the same vape at two different prices for a while, simply because older stock and newly duty-paid stock are moving through shops at different speeds, and nicotine strength has nothing to do with it either: a 0mg, 10mg or 20mg 10ml liquid all carry the same £2.20 VPD, and nicotine-free liquids aren't exempt either.

If you notice a pack without a duty stamp, that doesn't automatically mean something's wrong - qualifying stock made or imported before 1 October 2026 can still be sold unstamped right through to 31 March 2027. And when you do see a stamp, remember it's not a safety certificate - it just confirms the duty's been paid and the product can be traced through the supply chain, not that it's been individually tested or approved. The one date worth keeping in mind is 1 April 2027 - from then, vaping products must carry a valid duty stamp.

How much Vape Duty are you actually paying?

VPD is charged at 22p for every 1ml of vaping liquid, which works out at £2.20 per 10ml.

This is the duty amount, not necessarily the exact amount your retail price will increase by.

Manufacturers, distributors and retailers still decide their own selling prices. HMRC notes that whether the duty cost is passed along the supply chain is a commercial decision.

So a £2.20 duty charge does not mean every 10ml bottle must suddenly become exactly £2.20 more expensive at the till.

Common Vape Duty Questions, Answered

1. Why is my usual vape cheaper in one shop than another?

Simple - some shops are still selling through stock bought before 1 October, while others have already restocked at the new duty-paid price. Same product, different point in the transition. Nothing dodgy about it, and prices will even out as older stock sells through.

2. Does higher nicotine strength mean more duty?

No. Duty is charged on how much liquid is in the bottle, not how strong it is. A 10ml bottle pays the same £2.20 whether it's 0mg, 10mg or 20mg.

3. Do shortfills, nic shots and 0mg e-liquids get taxed too?

Yes. Vape Duty covers pretty much all vaping liquid - nic salts, shortfills, longfills, nic shots, prefilled pods and nicotine-free liquid included. The bigger the bottle, the more duty it carries, so it's worth bearing in mind if you buy in bulk.

4. Does the duty apply to the device itself?

No - it's charged purely on the liquid inside. A 2ml prefilled device picks up 44p of duty, while an empty refillable device (no liquid) doesn't attract any duty at all.

5. My vape doesn't have a duty stamp. Is that a problem?

Not necessarily. Stock made or imported before 1 October 2026 can still be sold without a stamp right up until 31 March 2027, so don't assume it's fake or illegal. From 1 April 2027, everything should carry a valid stamp.

6. What do the different duty stamps actually mean?

You might spot two styles while shops transition over: an older-style stamp with just tamper-evident security features, and a newer one that also carries a scannable code. Both are legitimate - the scannable version is simply becoming the standard everyone moves to.

7. What does a duty stamp actually look like?

A small rectangular label, roughly stamp-sized, stuck on so it tears if the pack is opened. Worth knowing: it's not a safety certificate - it just shows the duty's been paid and the product can be traced through the supply chain. Product safety is covered by separate UK regulations.

What you may notice in vape shops over the next few months

The transition will not happen neatly overnight.

You may notice:

• the same vape at different prices in different shops

• stamped and unstamped versions of the same product

• some brands increasing in price before others

• larger-liquid products showing a more noticeable duty impact

• transitional and digital stamps appearing at the same time

• older stock disappearing at different speeds from different retailers

Much of this is simply the result of millions of products already moving through the UK supply chain when the new duty started.

What should you do when buying a vape?

There is no need to become a tax expert just to buy your usual product.

But a few things are worth knowing.

Look at the liquid volume if you are comparing the effect of VPD, because that is what determines the amount of duty.

Do not assume that a cheaper product is automatically illicit or that a more expensive product is automatically duty-paid. During the transition, price differences can simply reflect when the stock entered the supply chain.

And if you are unsure why a product has no stamp, why its packaging looks different or why its price has suddenly changed, ask the retailer.

From 1 April 2027, an unstamped vaping product being sold where a duty stamp is required should raise questions.

⚠️ This product contains nicotine, which is an addictive substance. Not for sale to anyone under 21.

Follow us on our socials to get all the latest news and updates!

Instagram: @vapesbars_official
YouTube: @VapesBars
LinkedIn: Vapes Bars® Worldwide