A major change is coming to the UK vape industry — and most vapers still don’t know it’s happening. From 1 October 2026, the government will introduce the Vaping Products Excise Duty, a new tax that will significantly increase the price of e‑liquid across the entire UK market. This duty is applied at the point of manufacture or import, meaning costs will rise before products even reach retailers.
How Much Is the New Tax?
The new duty is set at:
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£2.20 per 10ml
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£2.64 per 10ml once VAT is added
This increase applies to all e‑liquids, regardless of nicotine strength or bottle size.
Which Products Will Be Affected?
Every liquid used for vaping will be taxed, including:
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10ml e‑liquids
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Nicotine‑free shortfills
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Prefilled pods
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Nicotine shots
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Flavour concentrates
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PG/VG base liquids
If it goes into a vape, it will be affected.
When Will Prices Rise?
The duty will be phased in as follows:
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1 October 2026 No new untaxed e‑liquid can be manufactured or imported.
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Until 31 March 2027 Retailers may continue selling existing untaxed stock.
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1 April 2027 Every e‑liquid on the UK market will include the new duty.
After this date, the price increase becomes universal.
How Much More Expensive Will Vaping Become?
Here are some real‑world examples of how prices will change:
| Product | Duty + VAT | Current Price | New Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10ml bottle | £2.64 | £4.99 | £7.63 |
| 50ml shortfill | £13.20 | £14.99 | £28.19 |
| 100ml shortfill | £26.40 | £17.99 | £44.39 |
Why Is This Happening?
The government states that the new tax is intended to:
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Reduce youth vaping
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Fund enforcement and regulatory activity
Critics argue it is primarily designed to replace declining tobacco tax revenue.
Bottom Line
Prices will rise sharply — and permanently.
Stocking up before October 2026 is the smartest way to avoid the upcoming price shock.
If you have any questions or would like to pre‑order larger quantities before 1 October 2026, please contact us:
enquiries@vapetime.co.uk , 01962 890240