Vape supplier VB Distribution has announced it plans to help retailers through the switch to vaping products that are duty stamped, following their introduction last week (1 October).
It said it will do this by giving early visibility to incoming stamped stock, which it is starting with two lines - Hayati’s Pro Ultra+ 25K and Pro Max+ 6K models. It expects these to enter its UK supply chain from mid-October, with more to follow after this.
The arrivals are the first in VB’s portolio to be supplied with the relevant Vaping Duty Stamps as the industry begins transitioning towards the UK’s new duty-paid market.
The distributor is also supporting retailers with their existing stock and publishing practical guidance through its Retailers Knowledge Hub on its LinkedIn page.
Structural changes
Moving forwards, the new duty will see an increase of £2.20 per 10ml of vaping liquid, representing “one of the biggest structural changes the UK vape category has faced in recent years,” the distributor said.
In recent weeks, figures have come to light that show many shoppers were actually planning to stockpile products before the duty came in, to make the most of lower, pre-duty prices.
While much of the conversation leading up to the deadline has focused on approvals, duty stamps and industry readiness, VB Distribution said it had focused on what comes next - getting compliant product into the UK supply chain and maintaining continuity of supply for wholesalers and retailers.
The business has been preparing its supply chain, compliance processes, warehousing operations and manufacturer relationships for the introduction of VPD, including arrangements for duty-stamped products entering the UK market.
First part
Natalia Gosciniak, CEO of VB Distribution, said: “Being approved or being ready on paper is only the first part of Vaping Products Duty. The real test starts now.”
Gosciniak added that many retailers will still have questions around the new duty: “Can you actually get stamped product into the country? Can you move it through the supply chain correctly? Can you keep products available while retailers manage the transition between legacy and newer stamped stock?
“That’s what retailers and wholesalers ultimately care about. We’ve spent a lot of time preparing for the operational side of VPD, and we’re now moving into the next phase, bringing physical duty-stamped product into the market.”
Phased introduction
VB Distribution is also reminding retailers that the UK market will not move entirely to stamped products overnight. Eligible unstamped vaping products manufactured or imported before 1 October can still move through the market during the transitional sell-through period, which runs until 31 March 2027.
This means retailers may temporarily VB Distribution said it believes this makes communication between suppliers, wholesalers and retailers particularly important during the next six months.
Gosciniak concluded: “The transition needs to be managed commercially as well as compliantly. Retailers will have existing stock to sell through, new VPD stock beginning to arrive and potentially different pricing between the two.
“The worst thing the industry can do is create panic.”
“The worst thing the industry can do is create panic. Retailers need visibility, what stock is available, when stamped stock is arriving, what they are buying and what documentation sits behind it.”
With VPD now live, VB Distribution expects attention across the market to move towards availability, pricing, stock rotation and continuity of supply. The company’s priority through the transition will be to give wholesalers and retailers clearer visibility of incoming VPD stock, while continuing to support customers managing eligible legacy inventory.
It said it will also use its Retailers Knowledge Hub to publish practical guidance throughout the transition, covering duty stamps, existing stock, pricing, documentation, bonded warehousing and other questions from UK retailers.
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