Britain’s vaping duty takes effect, with a Freeport hold on payment

FTZ News: Britain’s Vaping Products Duty took effect Thursday. The charge is £2.20 for every 10 milliliters of vaping liquid made in the country or brought in. Nicotine does not matter. Liquid without it is taxed the same.

HM Revenue & Customs said the rules reach vaping goods sitting in Freeports. Stock can stay in duty suspension in a Freeport that is approved to store excise goods. The duty is not due while the goods remain under that customs arrangement. HMRC’s force-of-law notice lists Freeport approval among the authorizations that allow the suspension.

Goods released for sale in Britain have to carry a vaping duty stamp. Transitional stamps are allowed through the end of 2026. From Jan. 1, 2027, new products need digitally enabled stamps. Retailers have until March 31, 2027, to sell eligible stock that was made or imported before the duty started.

For an importer or a warehouse operator, the Freeport piece is narrow. The goods can enter an approved site and the duty does not fall due on the way in, as long as they stay inside the suspension rules. HMRC did not say which Freeports already hold the excise approval./.

photo: www.kkc.com