Acme Vape Ltd T/A IVG secures HMRC approvals ahead of major UK vaping duty change

Preston-based company completes two critical regulatory approvals as the vaping industry prepares for the introduction of Vaping Products Duty on 1 October 2026

PRESTON, UK — 17 September 2026: Acme Vape Ltd, the company behind the IVG brand, has secured approval from HM Revenue & Customs to operate an excise warehouse for vaping products and participate in the Vaping Duty Stamps Scheme.

The approvals represent two major components of Acme Vape Ltd’s preparations for the introduction of the Vaping Products Duty on 1 October 2026—one of the most significant regulatory and operational changes experienced by the UK vaping industry.

From that date, vaping liquids manufactured in or imported into the UK will be subject to duty at a flat rate of £2.20 per 10ml, whether or not they contain nicotine.

Products entering the UK market under the new regime must carry the appropriate vaping duty stamp before being released for sale, unless they remain within an approved duty-suspension arrangement.

Acme Vape Ltd’s Preston excise warehouse will enable eligible products to be received, stored and managed under duty suspension. Its separate Vaping Duty Stamps Scheme approval authorises the company to purchase and affix the official stamps required under the new regulatory framework.

Together, the approvals strengthen Acme Vape Ltd’s ability to support a controlled transition and maintain compliant supply to wholesalers, distributors and retailers when the new regime takes effect.

Ahsan Bawa, Founder and Group CEO, comments: “The introduction of Vaping Products Duty is not simply a tax change. It fundamentally changes how legitimate vaping products must be imported, stored, tracked and released onto the UK market.

“For our customers, these approvals provide greater certainty at a time of significant change. We have invested in the infrastructure, systems, processes and governance required to support compliant supply from the first day of the new regime.

“Wholesalers and retailers need confidence that their suppliers are properly approved, operationally prepared and capable of meeting the new requirements without avoidable disruption.

“Our responsibility is to make that transition as controlled, dependable and straightforward as possible for every business that works with Acme Vape Ltd and IVG.”

Acme Vape Ltd has spent several months preparing its warehouse controls, technology, packaging processes and internal governance for the new duty regime. This work includes systems for ordering, applying, tracking and reconciling duty stamps throughout the supply chain.

The approvals come as HMRC urges vaping product manufacturers, importers and warehouse keepers to ensure they have the necessary permissions and processes in place before 1 October.

HMRC has warned that businesses without the required approvals may be unable to operate under the new regime and could face operational delays as well as civil or criminal sanctions.

Bawa adds: “Compliance cannot be treated as a last-minute administrative exercise. It must be visible, verifiable and embedded throughout the supply chain.

“This milestone reflects months of detailed work across our compliance, warehousing, finance, technology and supply-chain teams. Much of that work happens behind the scenes, but it is essential to protecting our customers, supporting responsible retail and maintaining trust in the legitimate vaping market.

“We are ready for the next phase and will continue working closely with our customers and partners as the new regime takes effect.”

Eligible unstamped products manufactured in or imported into the UK before 1 October 2026 may continue to be sold during the transitional period ending on 31 March 2027.

From 1 April 2027, all vaping products outside duty suspension in the UK must carry a valid vaping duty stamp.

ENDS

Notes to editors

• The Vaping Products Duty and the Vaping Duty Stamps Scheme take effect on 1 October 2026.
• The Vaping Products Duty will be charged at £2.20 per 10ml of vaping liquid.
• The duty applies to both nicotine-containing and nicotine-free vaping liquids.
• Acme Vape Ltd’s excise warehouse approval takes effect on 1 October 2026.
• Eligible products manufactured in or imported into the UK before 1 October 2026 may be sold without a duty stamp until 31 March 2027, subject to the applicable transitional rules.
• From 1 April 2027, all vaping products outside duty suspension in the UK must carry a valid vaping duty stamp.

About Acme Vape Ltd

Acme Vape Ltd is the Preston-headquartered company behind IVG, an internationally distributed vaping brand established in 2016.

The company develops and supplies vaping products intended for adult nicotine consumers, operating across wholesale, specialist retail, ecommerce and major retail channels in the UK and international markets.

Its portfolio includes IVG PRO, IVG PRO 2, IVG NEXiO and IVG SMART MAX. Acme Vape Ltd operates established quality-management, product-compliance and supply-chain controls across product development, manufacturing and distribution.

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Mark Dugdale

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www.acmevapelab.com