In the UK, vaping products are subject to stringent duty and customs regulations, including the requirement to display official vaping duty stamps. These stamps serve as secure physical labels with multiple security features to identify legitimate products and prevent illicit trade.

What Are Vaping Duty Stamps?

Vaping duty stamps are physical labels affixed to the outermost retail packaging of vaping products. They must be applied in a way that prevents opening the packaging without damaging either the packaging or the stamp. From 1 September 2026, these stamps will incorporate a digital element, including a scannable code to support authentication and traceability within the supply chain.

Purchasing and Usage Regulations

  • Only HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC)-approved operators, such as UK manufacturers, warehousekeepers, and UK representatives, can purchase duty stamps through a secure platform.
  • Stamps come in two formats: wet (pre-glued) and dry (unglued). Both require a minimum order of 1,000 stamps per reel.
  • Operators using dry stamps must ensure the glue used complies with all scheme requirements.
  • Purchase limits are set by HMRC for each operator on a rolling three-month basis, with a possible 30% overage allowance.
  • Operators must activate stamps at the point of affixing and capture prescribed metadata, including product details such as name, description, barcode, volume, product type, nicotine content, and identifiers like ECID or GBID where applicable.

Transitional Arrangements and Compliance Deadlines

Physical-only transitional stamps will be available from 1 April 2026 until 30 November 2026. Digital stamps, which include scannable codes, will be introduced from 1 September 2026. From 1 January 2027, only digital stamps may be affixed to vaping products, and by 1 April 2027, all vaping products outside duty suspension must carry a duty stamp.

Failure to activate stamps within 12 months of receipt may result in penalties. Additionally, HMRC may revoke approval if an operator does not purchase any stamps for 36 months.

These regulations ensure a robust system for duty collection and product authenticity, supporting lawful trade and consumer protection within the UK vaping market.

For more detailed information on vaping duty stamps and related UK tobacco and nicotine product regulations, visit https://cigarettesandbaccy.com.

Disclaimer: Tobacco and nicotine products are age-restricted and harmful.