UK Vape Store Compliance Checklist

Your complete guide to navigating the 2025-2026 regulatory changes

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Start Here - Critical Actions (Do These First!)

If you only have 30 minutes, complete these essential tasks to protect your business:

1

STOP Ordering Disposables

Immediately halt all new disposable vape orders

2

Count Your Stock

Calculate how many disposables you need to sell

3

Start Clearance Sales

Price to sell everything by May 31, 2025

4

Order Reusables

Stock up on pod systems and starter kits

PHASE 1: IMMEDIATE ACTIONS (NOW - MAY 31, 2025)

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STOP & START IMMEDIATELY 0/5

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?? 15 mins CRITICAL
?? 30 mins CRITICAL
?? 1 hour CRITICAL
?? 2 hours CRITICAL
?? 1 hour CRITICAL

STOCK MANAGEMENT - DISPOSABLES 0/8

?
?? 2 hours IMPORTANT
?? 30 mins IMPORTANT
?? 1 hour IMPORTANT
?? 1 hour IMPORTANT
?? 15 mins/day OPTIONAL
?? 1 hour IMPORTANT
?? 30 mins OPTIONAL
?? 1 hour OPTIONAL

REUSABLE PRODUCT PREPARATION 0/7

?
?? 2 hours CRITICAL
?? 1 hour CRITICAL
?? 2 hours CRITICAL
?? 1 hour IMPORTANT
?? 30 mins IMPORTANT
?? 30 mins IMPORTANT
?? 30 mins OPTIONAL

STAFF TRAINING - BASICS 0/5

?
?? 30 mins CRITICAL
?? 30 mins CRITICAL
?? 15 mins IMPORTANT
?? 1 hour CRITICAL
?? 30 mins IMPORTANT

CUSTOMER COMMUNICATION 0/5

?
?? 30 mins CRITICAL
?? 2 hours IMPORTANT
?? 1 hour IMPORTANT
?? 1 hour OPTIONAL
?? Ongoing CRITICAL

PHASE 2: COMPLIANCE & TRANSITION (JUNE 1 - SEPT 30, 2026)

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JUNE 1, 2025 - COMPLIANCE DAY 0/5

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?? 2 hours CRITICAL
?? 1 hour CRITICAL
?? 1 hour CRITICAL
?? 2 hours CRITICAL
?? 30 mins IMPORTANT

FOCUS ON REUSABLE SALES 0/5

?
?? 2 hours CRITICAL
?? 1 hour IMPORTANT
?? 30 mins IMPORTANT
?? Ongoing IMPORTANT
?? Ongoing OPTIONAL

PREPARING FOR E-LIQUID TAX 0/4

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Price Impact Examples:

10ml bottle: £3.99 ? £6.63 (66% increase)

50ml shortfill + nic shot: £11.99 ? £27.83 (132% increase)

100ml shortfill + 2 nic shots: £17.99 ? £49.67 (176% increase)

Pod packs (4ml): £5.99 ? £7.05 (18% increase)

?? 30 mins CRITICAL
?? 15 mins CRITICAL
?? 15 mins IMPORTANT
?? 1 hour CRITICAL

PHASE 3: E-LIQUID TAX PREP (JULY - SEPT 2026)

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FINANCIAL PLANNING FOR TAX 0/4

?
?? 3 hours CRITICAL
?? 1 hour IMPORTANT
?? 2 hours CRITICAL
?? 2 hours IMPORTANT

INVENTORY STRATEGY 0/6

?
?? 2 hours IMPORTANT
?? 1 hour CRITICAL
?? 1 hour IMPORTANT
?? 30 mins OPTIONAL
?? 1 hour IMPORTANT
?? 1 hour IMPORTANT

CUSTOMER COMMUNICATION STRATEGY 0/5

?
?? Ongoing CRITICAL
?? 30 mins CRITICAL
?? 30 mins IMPORTANT
?? 30 mins IMPORTANT
?? 30 mins OPTIONAL

PHASE 4: POST-TAX (OCTOBER 1, 2026 ONWARDS)

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PRICING IMPLEMENTATION 0/5

?
?? 4 hours CRITICAL
?? 2 hours CRITICAL
?? 2 hours CRITICAL
?? 3 hours IMPORTANT
?? 1 hour IMPORTANT

BUSINESS ADAPTATION 0/4

?
?? 2 hours IMPORTANT
?? 1 hour OPTIONAL
?? 3 hours OPTIONAL
?? 4 hours OPTIONAL

PHASE 5: ONGOING COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS

?

LEGAL OBLIGATIONS 0/5

?
?? Ongoing CRITICAL
?? Ongoing CRITICAL
?? 2 hours setup IMPORTANT
?? 1 hour review IMPORTANT
?? 1 hour review IMPORTANT

RISK MANAGEMENT 0/4

?
?? 4 hours IMPORTANT
?? 1 hour OPTIONAL
?? 2 hours OPTIONAL
?? Ongoing IMPORTANT

E-Liquid Tax Impact Examples (Starting Oct 1, 2026):

10ml bottle: £3.99 ? £6.63 (66% increase)

50ml shortfill + nic shot: £11.99 ? £27.83 (132% increase)

100ml shortfill + 2 nic shots: £17.99 ? £49.67 (176% increase)

Emergency Contacts & Resources

Local Trading Standards: Contact your local council

UKVIA (trade association): 0203 176 0176

MHRA: 020 3080 6000

Business support helpline: 0300 456 3565