Nicotine Pouches in the UK: Tobacco and Vapes Act Import Guide

Importer guide, not legal advice. Last reviewed 16 October 2026 against the primary sources linked on this page. Rules change often: confirm every point with the regulator or local counsel before you order. Points markedVerify locally could not be confirmed against a primary source.

United Kingdom at a glance

Last reviewed 16 October 2026

Status: Legal under national rules
Legal status & classification: Legal consumer products, now within the Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026; detailed product rules still to come.
Minimum age: 18 from 29 October 2026
Nicotine strength limit: No statutory cap; the Act allows one by regulations
Flavor rules: No ban yet; single-flavor-name rule proposed
Labelling & health warnings: General safety duties now; plain-pack rules proposed
Notification & registration: No product notification yet; register powers in the Act
Import documents & HS code: Commodity code 2404 91 90 00; 16% duty, 20% VAT
HS code: 2404 91 90 00 (UK Global Tariff, for oral application, other; 16% duty, 20% VAT)
JADEHARE SKUs that fit: All 15 SKUs under current rules; flavor names under review

Legal status & classification

The Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026 received Royal Assent on 29 April 2026.DHSC 6 legislation.gov.uk 1
Tobacco-free nicotine pouches, including those made with synthetic nicotine, are nicotine products under the Act. Medicinally licensed products are excluded.GOV.UK 7
Pouches have never needed notification under the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016. They are regulated as general consumer products under the General Product Safety Regulations 2005.GOV.UK 8
In Great Britain, a UK-based importer counts as a producer under GPSR 2005. Northern Ireland applies the EU General Product Safety Regulation (EU) 2023/988.GOV.UK 10
MHRA treats pouches as medicines only when presented for smoking cessation or as nicotine replacement therapy, which needs a marketing authorisation.MHRA 11

Minimum age

From 29 October 2026 it is an offence across the UK to sell nicotine products, including pouches, to anyone under 18, in shops and online. Buying for under-18s also becomes an offence.GOV.UK 7 legislation.gov.uk 2
The age rule covers retail sales, not business-to-business wholesale.GOV.UK 7
Businesses may not give free samples or promotional giveaways of nicotine products to members of the public.GOV.UK 7

Nicotine strength limit

There is no statutory nicotine limit for pouches. Government evidence notes that nicotine pouches have no set nicotine limits.GOV.UK 8
Section 96 of the Act lets ministers limit substances and their amounts by regulations. We found no draft limit at the time of review.legislation.gov.uk 3

Flavor rules

No flavor ban is in force for nicotine pouches.GOV.UK 9
A UK-wide consultation proposed allowing only a single recognised flavor name, such as apple or strawberry, and restricting concept, confectionery, dessert and drink-related names.GOV.UK 9

Labelling & health warnings

There are no specific packaging requirements for pouches yet; GPSR 2005 general safety, warning and traceability duties apply.GOV.UK 9 GOV.UK 10
Proposed rules: white packs without imagery, standard fonts, child-resistant and tamper-evident packaging, an ingredient list, nicotine strength, an age symbol and a front-and-back nicotine warning, with at least 12 months’ notice before they apply.GOV.UK 9
GB CLP hazard labelling may apply to nicotine mixtures depending on concentration. Get a classification for each strength.Verify locally

Notification & registration

Nicotine pouches do not currently need product notification.GOV.UK 8
Section 99 lets ministers set up a product register and ban the supply of unregistered products. We found no regulations under it at the time of review.legislation.gov.uk 4
A retail licensing scheme for England starts on a date to be set by regulations.legislation.gov.uk 5

Import documents & HS code

Imports from China pay 16% third-country duty plus 20% import VAT. No excise measure applies to this commodity code.UK Trade Tariff 12
Vaping Products Duty, from 1 October 2026, covers vaping liquids, not nicotine pouches.HMRC 13
HMRC has said it will introduce controls on the supply of nicotine through a Nicotine Approval Scheme; timing is to be confirmed.HMRC 14

Customs classification and documents for United Kingdom
Tariff code	2404 91 90 00 · UK Global Tariff, for oral application, other; 16% duty, 20% VATUK Trade Tariff 12
Shipped by JADEHARE	Commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, batch COA, SDS, ingredient list and label proof
Confirm with your broker	Final tariff line, duty and excise, and any import licence or permit your goods need

Changes to watch

29 October 2026: age-of-sale and proxy-purchase offences and the ban on free distribution to the public start.GOV.UK 7
1 June 2027: the government intends a UK-wide ban on advertising and sponsorship of vaping and nicotine products.DHSC 6
Packaging, flavor descriptor and display regulations, plus any nicotine limits and a product register, still need regulations.GOV.UK 9 legislation.gov.uk 3 legislation.gov.uk 4

Which JADEHARE SKUs fit United Kingdom?

With no statutory strength cap or flavor ban in force, all 15 standard SKUs can be considered for the UK.GOV.UK 8 GOV.UK 9
If the single-flavor-name proposal is adopted as published, names such as Tropic Breeze, Ice Cream, Energy and two-flavor capsule names would likely need to change. Plan artwork with the proposed 12-month notice in mind.GOV.UK 9

JADEHARE standard SKUs against the rules in the UK
SKU	Line	Standard strengths	Fit in the UK
Grape White Nicotine Pouches	White Pouches	6 mg	Yes
Lemon White Nicotine Pouches	White Pouches	6 mg	Yes
Ice Cream White Nicotine Pouches	White Pouches	6 mg	Yes
Spearmint White Nicotine Pouches	White Pouches	8 mg	Yes
Coconut White Nicotine Pouches	White Pouches	8 mg	Yes
Tropic Breeze White Nicotine Pouches	White Pouches	10 mg	Yes
Red Fruits White Nicotine Pouches	White Pouches	10 mg	Yes
Coffee White Nicotine Pouches	White Pouches	14 mg	Yes
Ice Cool White Nicotine Pouches	White Pouches	14 mg	Yes
Energy White Nicotine Pouches	White Pouches	19 mg	Yes
Doublemint Icing BLAST Capsule Nicotine Pouches	BLAST Capsule	6 mg / 12 mg	Yes
Orange Mango BLAST Capsule Nicotine Pouches	BLAST Capsule	6 mg / 12 mg	Yes
Apple Juice BLAST Capsule Nicotine Pouches	BLAST Capsule	6 mg / 12 mg	Yes
Chocolate Coffee BLAST Capsule Nicotine Pouches	BLAST Capsule	6 mg / 12 mg	Yes
Pineapple Mango BLAST Capsule Nicotine Pouches	BLAST Capsule	6 mg / 12 mg	Yes

Need a different strength, flavor or label for United Kingdom? Seecustom nicotine strengths andcustom packaging.

Primary sources

Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026 (2026 c. 18) · legislation.gov.uk
Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026, section 10 · legislation.gov.uk
Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026, section 96 · legislation.gov.uk
Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026, section 99 · legislation.gov.uk
Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026, section 175 (commencement) · legislation.gov.uk
Ending the advertising and sponsorship of vaping and nicotine products from 1 June 2027 (1 June 2026) · DHSC
Selling vaping and nicotine products (11 August 2026) · GOV.UK
Tobacco and vapes: evidence to support legislation · GOV.UK
Tobacco and vapes packaging, appearance and display (consultation) · GOV.UK
General Product Safety Regulations 2005: Great Britain guidance · GOV.UK
Guidance Note 8: a guide to what is a medicinal product · MHRA
UK Trade Tariff commodity 2404 91 90 00 · UK Trade Tariff
Introduction of Vaping Products Duty from 1 October 2026 · HMRC
Vaping Products Duty technical consultation: government response (April 2025) · HMRC

Sources checked 16 October 2026. JADEHARE supports labels and documents, but the importer remains responsible for market authorization.

Nicotine pouches in the UK: FAQ

Are nicotine pouches legal in the UK?

Yes. Tobacco-free nicotine pouches can be sold as general consumer products under the General Product Safety Regulations 2005, and they are nicotine products under the Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026, which adds age, promotion and, later, packaging rules.

What is the minimum age for nicotine pouches in the UK?

From 29 October 2026 it is an offence to sell nicotine pouches to anyone under 18, in shops or online, under the Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026. The rule covers retail sales, not wholesale.

Is there a nicotine strength limit for pouches in the UK?

Not at the time of review. The Act lets ministers set limits by regulations, but we found no draft limit.

Will nicotine pouch flavors be restricted in the UK?

No flavor ban is in force. A UK-wide consultation proposed allowing only a single recognised flavor name and restricting dessert, confectionery and drink-related names, with at least 12 months’ notice before new packaging rules apply.

What commodity code do nicotine pouches use in the UK?

2404 91 90 00 (for oral application, other). Imports from China pay 16% third-country duty plus 20% import VAT; no excise measure applies to this code.

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Nicotine Pouch Regulations in the UK: Importer Guide