What Is the Vape Tax?
The UK Vaping Product Duty (VPD): What EDGE Customers Need to Know
The government is introducing a new excise duty charge of 22p per millilitre, plus VAT, on all e-liquid.
This vape tax applies to all e-liquids regardless of nicotine strength and includes the likes of EDGE Go/Go+ Pods and Cartomisers.
It is a government tax. It is not optional and iIt applies to the entire UK market.
This page will be kept up to date as more details are confirmed. Please sign up to our newsletter (in our footer) or check back on this page regularly for updates. We recommend reading this page in its entirety before taking any actions.
(Last Updated 25/02/26)
When Does It Start?
🗓 1 October 2026
From this date, any e-liquid produced must carry a government tax stamp. That stamp confirms the duty has been paid.
Products manufactured on or after this date will include the tax.
🗓 1 April 2027
This marks the end of the six-month sell-through window.
After this date, all e-liquid sold in the UK will be subject to the tax — regardless of when it was produced.
What This Means for Pricing?
To be transparent:
The vape tax will significantly increase the government portion of the retail price.
For example:
A single 10ml bottle of Core Very Menthol currently priced at £2.50 will increase once the following are applied:
- £2.20 excise duty (10ml × 22p)
- VAT on the excise duty (£0.44)
This means the total price would rise to approximately £5.14 per bottle once the tax is in effect.
The majority of that increase is government tax. This increase is entirely tax-driven.
EDGE does not add margin to the excise duty.
HOW IS EDGE RESPONDING?
We are taking proactive steps to prepare well ahead of October 2026.
Scaling production ahead of implementation
We are increasing manufacturing output in advance of the tax coming into force. This allows us to maximise pre-tax production within the permitted window and help delay price increases for as long as legally possible.
Working directly with regulatory authorities
We are in active dialogue with HMRC and relevant regulatory bodies to ensure full compliance with tax stamp requirements, reporting obligations, and implementation timelines.
Protecting customer value
While no company can avoid a government duty, we are reviewing internal efficiencies, cost structures, and operational processes to absorb as much impact as possible — without compromising product quality.
PLANNING AHEAD
Order Limits & Fair Access
To maintain consistent availability and ensure fair access for all customers, we will be introducing a structured order limit.
From this point forward, online orders will be capped at 150 bottles or pods per SKU per order.
If customers still feel the need to plan ahead, we would consider placing slightly larger orders throughout the year to gradually build up supply in advance of October 2026.
This approach helps prevent stock disruption, avoids panic buying, and ensures a smoother transition as the vape tax comes into force.
SUBSCRIPTIONS
We understand that many customers rely on regular deliveries, and continuity matters.
At this stage, no immediate changes are being made to subscriptions. All existing schedules will continue as normal.
As we move closer to October 2026, subscription customers will receive for information on how subscriptions will move forward.
Our priority is to ensure there are no unexpected charges and no disruption to supply. Any changes required as a result of the government excise duty will be communicated well in advance of implementation.
You will always know what to expect before it happens.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Vape Tax
What is the UK vape tax?
What is the UK vape tax?
The UK government is introducing a new excise duty of 22p per millilitre, plus VAT, on all e-liquids from 1 October 2026.
This applies across the entire industry and affects all brands selling e-liquid in the UK.
Is this an EDGE price increase?
Is this an EDGE price increase?
No.
This is a government-imposed tax, not a discretionary price rise by EDGE. The excise duty is added to the product cost by law, and EDGE does not apply additional margin to that duty.
When does the tax come into effect?
When does the tax come into effect?
1 October 2026 – Any e-liquid produced on or after this date must carry a government tax stamp and will incur the excise duty.
1 April 2027 – The end of the six-month sell-through period. From this date, all e-liquid sold must include the tax.
For the full timeline, please see: UK Vape Tax Timeline
Does the tax apply to all e-liquids?
Does the tax apply to all e-liquids?
Yes.
The excise duty applies to:
There are no exemptions based on strength or format.
Does the tax apply to devices, pods, nicotine pouches or coils?
Does the tax apply to devices, pods, nicotine pouches or coils?
No.
The vape excise duty applies only to e-liquid.
Devices, nicotine pouches, empty pods, coils and hardware are not affected.
Will vaping still be cheaper than smoking?
Will vaping still be cheaper than smoking?
Yes.
Cigarettes are also subject to ongoing government tax increases, and smoking remains significantly more expensive for most consumers.
Even with the vape excise duty applied, vaping is expected to remain the lower-cost option.
