Introduction
If you've heard that vape liquid prices may be going up, you're not alone.
Many UK vapers are starting to ask why e-liquid, nic salts, shortfills and prefilled pods could become more expensive over the next year. The main reason is the introduction of the UK's new Vaping Products Duty (VPD), a tax on vape liquids that comes into force on 1 October 2026.
At the moment, the duty has not yet started. Many products remain at current prices, and at Tablites we're continuing to work hard to keep our vape liquid prices as competitive as possible.
However, some manufacturers and wholesalers have already begun increasing costs due to rising production costs, shipping costs, changes in taxation overseas and preparations for the upcoming UK vape tax.
In this guide, we'll explain why vape liquid is expected to increase in price, which products are affected, how the tax will be calculated and what customers can do to reduce the impact.
Quick Answer
Why Is Vape Liquid Going Up in Price?
Vape liquid is expected to become more expensive because of the UK's new Vaping Products Duty.
From 1 October 2026, all vape liquids sold in the UK will be subject to a flat-rate duty of:
£2.20 per 10ml of vape liquid
Standard VAT is then added after the duty has been included.
This means future duty-paid vape liquids are expected to cost more than current untaxed products.
The tax applies to:
- Nicotine salt e-liquids
- Freebase e-liquids
- Shortfills
- Nicotine shots
- Prefilled vape pods
- Nicotine-free vape liquid
The duty is based on liquid volume rather than nicotine content.
Key Facts
- Vape liquid is not being banned.
- The new vape tax starts on 1 October 2026.
- Every 10ml of vape liquid will incur £2.20 duty.
- VAT is charged after the duty is added.
- The tax applies to nicotine-free e-liquid as well as nicotine products.
- Vape kits, batteries, empty pods and coils are not subject to the Vaping Products Duty.
- Existing eligible unstamped stock can be sold during the sell-through period until 31 March 2027.
What Is the Vaping Products Duty?
The Vaping Products Duty is a new UK excise duty announced by HM Treasury.
The aim of the duty is to:
- Generate tax revenue
- Reduce youth vaping
- Create a tax structure closer to traditional tobacco products
From 1 October 2026, every 10ml of vape liquid will incur £2.20 in duty.
The duty applies to all vape liquids, including products that contain no nicotine.
Unlike tobacco taxation, the Vaping Products Duty is based entirely on liquid volume rather than nicotine strength. This means larger bottles will see significantly larger duty increases.
For a full breakdown of the legislation, read our UK Vape Tax 2026 Explained: Vaping Products Duty Guide.
Which Vape Products Are Affected?
The Vaping Products Duty applies to almost all vape liquids sold in the UK.
| Product Type | Affected by VPD? |
|---|---|
| Nicotine Salts | Yes |
| Freebase E-Liquid | Yes |
| Shortfills | Yes |
| Nicotine Shots | Yes |
| Prefilled Pods | Yes |
| 0mg Vape Liquid | Yes |
| Vape Kits | No |
| Batteries | No |
| Chargers | No |
| Empty Pods and Coils | No |
Many vapers assume nicotine-free e-liquids are exempt. Unfortunately, this is not the case. The duty is applied to the vape liquid itself rather than the nicotine content.
Why Are Vape Liquid Prices Expected to Increase?
Although the Vaping Products Duty does not begin until October 2026, several factors are already putting pressure on vape liquid pricing across the industry.
1. The Upcoming UK Vape Tax
The biggest future cost increase is the Vaping Products Duty itself.
Once duty-paid stock becomes standard, every 10ml of vape liquid will include an additional £2.20 duty charge, with VAT added afterwards.
2. Rising Manufacturing Costs
Raw materials, packaging and production costs have increased for many manufacturers.
3. Higher Wholesale Costs
Some suppliers and wholesalers have already begun adjusting prices ahead of the new duty and wider industry cost increases.
4. Increased Shipping and Import Costs
International shipping, freight and logistics costs continue to affect the wider vape supply chain.
5. Industry Preparation for VPD
Manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers are preparing for new compliance requirements, duty stamps and stock management changes ahead of October 2026.
At Tablites, we are currently working hard to absorb cost increases wherever possible and keep prices competitive for our customers.
What Could a 4 for £10 Nic Salt Deal Cost After the Vape Tax?
One of the UK's most common vape liquid offers is a 4 for £10 nic salt multi-buy deal.
A standard 4 for £10 nic salt deal contains four 10ml bottles, giving a total of 40ml of vape liquid.
Here is an illustrative example based on the statutory Vaping Products Duty and VAT:
| Cost Breakdown | Amount |
|---|---|
| Current multi-buy price | £10.00 |
| Vaping Products Duty (4 x £2.20) | +£8.80 |
| Additional VAT at 20% | +£1.76 |
| Illustrative post-duty price | £20.56 |
Important: This is an example calculation based only on the statutory duty and VAT. It does not represent confirmed future Tablites pricing.
Final retail prices may vary depending on manufacturer costs, wholesale pricing, shipping costs, stock availability and individual retailer pricing decisions.
Example Vape Tax Calculations
The exact retail price increase will vary between brands and retailers. However, the Vaping Products Duty itself is fixed.
| Product | Duty Added |
|---|---|
| 10ml Bottle | £2.20 |
| 50ml Shortfill | £11.00 |
| 100ml Shortfill | £22.00 |
These figures represent the duty only and do not include VAT or any additional supplier, manufacturer or retailer cost changes.
Why Are Shortfills Expected to Be Hit Hardest?
The Vaping Products Duty is calculated using liquid volume.
The more vape liquid a product contains, the more duty applies.
| Product | Duty |
|---|---|
| 10ml Bottle | £2.20 |
| 50ml Shortfill | £11.00 |
| 100ml Shortfill | £22.00 |
This means shortfill users may experience some of the largest future price increases across the vaping industry once duty-paid stock becomes standard.
Popular shortfill brands such as Vampire Vape, IVG, Seriously, Wick Liquor and Nasty Juice will all be affected by the duty.
Is Nicotine-Free Vape Liquid Taxed?
Yes.
This is one of the biggest misconceptions surrounding the Vaping Products Duty.
Many customers assume:
No nicotine = no vape tax
Unfortunately, this is incorrect.
The Vaping Products Duty applies to:
- 0mg vape liquids
- Nicotine salts
- Freebase e-liquids
- Shortfills
- Nicotine-free vape juice
The tax is based entirely on liquid volume.
Will Vape Liquid Prices Go Up Immediately on 1 October 2026?
Not necessarily.
The UK Government has introduced a six-month sell-through period for eligible existing unstamped stock.
This allows retailers to continue selling eligible vape liquid manufactured before 1 October 2026 until:
31 March 2027
This means:
- Some retailers may still offer existing stock at current prices.
- Prices may vary depending on when stock was manufactured.
- Once older stock sells through, duty-paid products will become the new standard.
At Tablites, we are preparing by increasing stock levels before the duty takes effect, helping customers benefit from current pricing on eligible products for as long as possible while stock remains available.
What Is Tablites Doing?
At Tablites, we are working hard to minimise the impact of the Vaping Products Duty for our customers.
Although some suppliers have already increased wholesale prices, we are currently absorbing many of these additional costs wherever possible to keep our prices competitive.
We are also preparing ahead of the October 2026 duty start date by increasing stock levels where possible. This should help customers continue accessing eligible products at current pricing for as long as stock remains available during the permitted sell-through period.
As always, our goal is to continue offering genuine products, competitive prices, excellent service and clear advice to help customers make informed decisions.
Is Vaping Still Cheaper Than Smoking?
For most adult users, vaping is still expected to remain significantly cheaper than smoking.
Even with the Vaping Products Duty, refillable vape kits and bottled e-liquids generally provide substantially more puffs per pound than traditional cigarettes.
Vaping also offers:
- Greater flavour choice
- Adjustable nicotine strengths
- Lower long-term hardware costs
- More flexibility than tobacco products
While the gap may narrow, vaping is still expected to remain a lower-cost alternative for many smokers.
How Much Could the Tax Cost You Per Year?
The impact depends on your vaping habits.
| Type of Vaper | Weekly Usage | Additional Duty Per Year | Estimated Extra Cost Including VAT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light Vaper | 1-2 bottles per week | £114-£229 | £137-£275 |
| Moderate Vaper | 3-5 bottles per week | £343-£572 | £412-£687 |
| Heavy Vaper | 5-7+ bottles per week | £572-£801+ | £687-£961+ |
These figures are estimates based on the Vaping Products Duty and VAT only. Actual annual costs may be higher if retail prices rise further due to wholesale, manufacturing or shipping costs.
Can I Still Buy Vape Liquid?
Yes.
The Vaping Products Duty does not ban vape products.
All major vape categories remain legal, including:
- Nicotine salts
- Freebase e-liquids
- Shortfills
- Prefilled pods
- Refillable vape kits
The duty affects price, not legality.
How Can I Reduce the Impact of Future Vape Price Increases?
While nobody can avoid the Vaping Products Duty once it applies, there are several ways to reduce the impact.
Take Advantage of Multi-Buy Deals
Multi-buy offers continue to provide some of the best value in vaping.
Popular ranges include:
- Elfliq Nic Salts
- Elux Legend Nic Salts
- Hayati Pro Max Nic Salts
- Bar Juice 5000 Nic Salts
- Deliciu Nic Salts
Use a Refillable Vape Kit
Refillable devices remain one of the most cost-effective ways to vape.
Popular choices include:
Monitor Your Consumption
Many vapers are surprised by how much vape liquid they use each week.
Tracking consumption can help reduce unnecessary spending.
Buy from Trusted Retailers
Avoid counterfeit or non-compliant products.
Purchasing genuine products from established UK retailers helps ensure product quality and compliance.
What We're Seeing at Tablites
Having supplied vape products since 2011, this is one of the most significant pricing changes we've seen within the UK vaping industry.
While the duty itself does not begin until October 2026, we are already seeing some suppliers increase wholesale pricing across certain product categories.
At the same time, customers are increasingly asking:
- Why is vape liquid going up in price?
- Will nic salts become more expensive?
- Is vape juice being taxed?
- Are shortfills affected?
- Is 0mg e-liquid taxed?
The introduction of the Vaping Products Duty is likely to remain one of the biggest topics in UK vaping over the next two years.
Important Pricing Note
The figures used throughout this guide are based on the statutory Vaping Products Duty and current VAT rules.
They are intended as illustrative examples, not confirmed future Tablites pricing.
Final retail prices may vary depending on:
- Manufacturer price changes
- Wholesale costs
- Shipping and import costs
- Exchange rate fluctuations
- Stock availability
- Individual retailer pricing decisions
We will continue updating this guide as more pricing information becomes available before the Vaping Products Duty takes effect on 1 October 2026.
Related Guides
For more information, read:
- UK Vape Tax 2026 Explained: Vaping Products Duty Guide
- Are Shortfills Taxed?
- Is 0mg Vape Liquid Taxed?
- How To Save Money After The Vape Tax
- Best Disposable Vape Alternatives
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is vape liquid going up in price?
Vape liquid is expected to become more expensive because of the UK's Vaping Products Duty, which takes effect from 1 October 2026. Some manufacturers and wholesalers are also facing higher production, shipping and compliance costs.
Has Tablites increased e-liquid prices?
At Tablites, we are currently working hard to keep prices competitive and absorb cost increases wherever possible. Some industry costs have risen, but the Vaping Products Duty itself does not begin until 1 October 2026.
How much could a 4 for £10 nic salt deal cost after vape tax?
A standard 4 for £10 deal contains 40ml of e-liquid. Based on £8.80 of duty plus £1.76 additional VAT, the illustrative post-duty price would be £20.56 before any further supplier or retailer price changes.
Are shortfills affected by vape tax?
Yes. Shortfills are affected and may experience some of the largest increases because the tax is based on liquid volume.
Is 0mg vape liquid taxed?
Yes. The duty applies regardless of nicotine content.
Will vape prices continue to rise?
Prices may change as the October 2026 implementation date approaches and as duty-paid products replace older stock. However, pricing will vary depending on stock, supplier costs and individual retailer decisions.
Can I still buy vape liquid?
Yes. Vape liquids remain legal to purchase in the UK. The Vaping Products Duty affects price, not legality.
Is vaping still cheaper than smoking?
For many adult users, vaping remains considerably cheaper than smoking, even after the introduction of the Vaping Products Duty.
How much tax is added to a 100ml shortfill?
The Vaping Products Duty adds £22.00 of duty to a 100ml shortfill before VAT.
Are nicotine shots taxed?
Yes. Nicotine shots are included within the scope of the Vaping Products Duty.
Final Thoughts
The UK's Vaping Products Duty represents one of the biggest changes to vape pricing since vaping became mainstream in the UK.
While vape liquid prices are expected to increase across nicotine salts, freebase e-liquids, shortfills and prefilled pods once duty-paid stock becomes standard, the tax has not yet come into force.
At Tablites, we are working hard to keep prices competitive, absorb rising costs where possible and help customers benefit from current pricing on eligible stock for as long as possible.
Understanding how the Vaping Products Duty works now can help customers make informed purchasing decisions and prepare for the changes ahead.
For the latest offers on nicotine salts, freebase e-liquids, shortfills and refillable vape kits, browse the full Tablites collection today.
