Duty-paid vape liquid gets a yellow or red stamp, but an unstamped bottle is not automatically illegal yet: shops can sell old stock until 31 March 2027. From 1 April 2027 everything must be stamped, and that is when a missing stamp becomes a proper warning sign.
The short version
- Duty stamps come in yellow or red.
- Physical stamps: bought until 30 November 2026, stuck on until 31 December 2026.
- Digital stamps only from 1 January 2027.
- Unstamped stock allowed until 31 March 2027; everything stamped from 1 April 2027.
What a duty stamp is for
A duty stamp is proof that the Vaping Products Duty has been dealt with on that product. It is the same idea as the stamps you see on tobacco: a quick visual sign that tax was paid.
The stamps come in yellow or red. We are not going to describe security features or print details here, partly because we cannot verify them from a photo and partly because a fake can copy a colour. What matters to you is when a stamp should be there, and where you are buying from.
A stamp is about tax. It does not tell you anything about what is in the bottle; product rules like the 10ml and 20mg limits are a separate system.
Source: gov.uk duty stamp guidance (1 September 2026)
The stamp timeline
The rollout happens in stages, which is why you will see a mix of stamped and unstamped stock on shelves and in parcels for the next few months.
Producers can buy transitional physical stamps until 30 November 2026 and fix them to products until 31 December 2026. From 1 January 2027, the system is digital stamps only. Retailers get a grace period to sell older unstamped stock until 31 March 2027.
Then the line is drawn. From 1 April 2027, every product covered by the duty must carry a stamp when it is sold. If you are reading this after that date and holding an unstamped bottle bought recently, ask questions.
- Duty beginsStamped and unstamped stock both on sale
- Physical stamp sales endLast day to buy transitional stamps
- Physical stamps last appliedLast day to fix them to products
- Digital onlyStamps move to the digital system
- Grace period endsLast day to sell unstamped stock
- Stamp or no saleEverything must be stamped
Source: gov.uk duty stamp guidance (1 September 2026)
Is an unstamped bottle a problem?
It depends entirely on the date. Right now, shops are allowed to sell stock that was made before stamps existed, so an unstamped bottle from a proper retailer is normal during the grace period.
After 31 March 2027 that changes. Products sold from 1 April 2027 must be stamped, so an unstamped bottle at that point suggests the duty may not have been paid. That often goes hand in hand with other shortcuts, which is the real reason to care.
Tap the answer that matches when you are buying.
If in doubt, ask the seller when the stock was made.
When are you buying?
Unstamped stock can still be sold legally during the grace period. A stamp is a nice sign, but a missing one is not a red flag on its own yet.
Everything covered by the duty must be stamped. If it is not, do not buy it, and think twice about the seller.
What else to check on the pack
A stamp is one check among several. UK product rules already set clear limits, and products that ignore them are easy to spot once you know what to look for.
Nicotine refill bottles should be 10ml or smaller, nicotine strength should be 20mg/ml or under, tanks and pods should hold 2ml or less, and packs should be child-resistant. Big-puff devices that come with extra liquid should do it through separate 10ml containers, not one giant tank.
Our TPD rules guide explains each limit, and our MHRA notification guide covers the paperwork behind genuine products.
Stamp myths
New stickers breed new rumours. These are the ones we hear most, mainly from people who have spotted a stamp on one bottle and not on another from the same shelf.
The mix is normal for now. It just means some stock was produced or stamped after the changeover and some before it. What would not be normal is a seller still pushing unstamped stock in the summer of 2027, or a product that breaks the 10ml or 20mg rules with a stamp slapped on it.
Tap a card to flip it.
Test yourself
One scenario, three answers. If you have read this far, it should be an easy one.
The key dates to hold in your head are the end of March and the start of April 2027. Before that, a mix of stamped and unstamped stock is expected. After it, a stamp is required on everything the duty covers.
If you ever get something from us and have a question about its packaging, get in touch through our help page and we will sort it.
Our full set of dates sits in the UK vape law timeline.
It is May 2027 and a seller offers you unstamped 10ml bottles. What is going on?
Quick answers
What colour are vape duty stamps?
Vape duty stamps are yellow or red.
Can shops still sell unstamped vape liquid?
Yes, until 31 March 2027. From 1 April 2027 everything covered by the duty must be stamped.
When do vape duty stamps go digital?
From 1 January 2027 only digital stamps are used. Physical transitional stamps can be fixed to products until 31 December 2026.
Does a duty stamp mean the product is genuine?
It shows duty has been paid. Check the product also meets the 10ml, 20mg and 2ml rules and comes from a retailer you can contact.
