Can I bring vapes or e-cigarettes into the UK as a traveller?
The short answer
For Great Britain, GOV.UK says you can bring in up to 50ml of vaping liquid within your personal allowances. In Northern Ireland the rules differ by where you travel from. This page covers UK rules only, because the official page does not read an official EU page on vapes.
Great Britain
The GOV.UK personal use page says: you can bring in up to 50ml of vaping liquid. Goods within your personal allowances are tax and duty free. The page does not set different Great Britain allowances for EU and non-EU origin.
Northern Ireland
- From outside the EU: vaping products fall under the £390 other goods allowance. The page says this includes vaping products.
- From the EU: there are no limits as long as you have paid tax and duty in the country of purchase, but you are more likely to be questioned above 200 millilitres of vaping products.
- Goods from the Canary Islands, north Cyprus, Gibraltar or the Channel Islands follow the non-EU rules.
Under 17 and declarations
For Great Britain, the page says there are no personal allowances for alcohol, tobacco or vaping products for travellers under 17, and these must be declared before arrival. GOV.UK's duty free page says you can declare goods online from 5 days (120 hours) before you arrive in the UK.
Going over an allowance can mean paying tax and duty on everything in that category.
EU rules and the US
we did not read an official EU or US page on vapes, so this page makes no claim about them. Airlines and countries also have separate rules on carrying vapes and batteries, so check your destination and airline.
Rules and fees change, so check the official page before you travel.
Sources: GOV.UK: Bringing goods into the UK for personal use, GOV.UK: Duty free goods. Read 5 November 2026. Rules and fees change, so check the official page before you travel.
Frequently asked questions
How much vaping liquid can I bring into Great Britain?
GOV.UK says you can bring in up to 50ml of vaping liquid within your personal allowances.
Is there a different rule for Northern Ireland?
Yes. From outside the EU, vaping products fall under the £390 other goods allowance. From the EU, GOV.UK says there are no limits if tax has been paid, though you may be questioned above 200 millilitres.
Can under 17s bring vapes into Great Britain?
GOV.UK says there are no personal allowances for alcohol, tobacco or vaping products for under 17s in Great Britain, and these must be declared before arrival.
Can I declare goods in advance?
GOV.UK says you can declare goods online from 5 days (120 hours) before you arrive in the UK.
What about the EU?
This page does not cover EU customs because the official page does not read an official EU page. Check the customs authority of the country you are entering.