New vape products after the vape tax include smaller formats such as Hayati Pro Max Plus 4000, PIXL 5K and IVG Pro 5K. The main buying questions are how much liquid each pack contains, whether the pods fit your existing device and how much replacement liquid costs.
These products form part of the range available around the duty change, “after the tax” does not mean every product launched after 1 October. Smaller packs carry less duty per purchase, but contain less liquid. A lower pack price does not automatically mean better value.
For adult smokers and existing vapers comparing prefilled pod vape kits, this guide covers the newer 6ml and 7ml formats, bottled nic salts and an established 2ml alternative. Compatibility matters: switching pack size does not always mean keeping the same device.
What changed on 1 October 2026?
Vaping Products Duty introduced 22p of duty per millilitre of vaping liquid, equivalent to £2.20 per 10ml. The rate applies regardless of nicotine content. Manufacturers, importers and other liable businesses pay the duty, the amount passed on through retail prices is a commercial decision.
A 6ml pack therefore carries £1.32 in duty, compared with £2.64 for 12ml. VAT continues to apply. Our guide to the UK Vape Tax 2026 explains the wider pricing changes.
Why are new vape pods smaller?
Smaller vape packs contain less taxable liquid, which reduces duty per pack rather than duty per millilitre. A 6ml format carries half the duty of a 12ml format because it contains half as much liquid.
“Pod size” can mean two different things. A product may combine a small prefilled pod with a separate refill container. Compare the total liquid across both components:
- Hayati Pro Max Plus 4000: 1.5ml pod plus 5.5ml refill container, totalling 7ml.
- PIXL 5K: 2ml pod plus 4ml refill container, totalling 6ml.
- IVG Pro 5K: 2ml pod plus 4ml refill container, totalling 6ml.
Less liquid generally means fewer puffs under comparable conditions. Coil design, power and draw length affect the result, so advertised puff counts are estimates rather than a reliable measure of value.
Smaller capacity alone does not prove why a manufacturer launched a product. IVG explicitly describes its 5K format as duty-smart, the same explanation should not automatically be attributed to every brand.
What does the Hayati Pro Max Plus 4000 offer?
Hayati Pro Max Plus 4000 offers 7ml of liquid in a replaceable pod-and-container format, with an advertised 4,000-plus puffs. Hayati specifies a 1.5ml pod and 5.5ml refill container for the Pro Max+ 4K.
The 7ml capacity is approximately 42% smaller than a 12ml pack. Duty falls from £2.64 on 12ml to £1.54 on 7ml, a difference of £1.10 before VAT. Retail prices do not have to fall by the same amount.
Existing owners can compare the Hayati Pro Max Plus 4000 Pods with their current refills. New users need the matching device, available through the Hayati Pro Max Plus 4K kit listing.
The smaller format may suit an existing vaper who wants less liquid in each replacement pack. Frequent users should compare the Hayati Pro Max Plus 6000 Pods on price per millilitre before switching.
Do not assume 4K and 6000 cross-compatibility. Confirm the exact pod and device pairing before ordering, the supplied research contains conflicting compatibility reports and no completed fit test.
What is different about the PIXL 5K kit and pods?
PIXL 5K uses 6ml of liquid, supplied through a 2ml prefilled pod and 4ml refill container. The researched format contains 20mg/ml nicotine salt, equivalent to 2%, and advertises up to 5,000 puffs.
Compared with the 12ml PIXL 8000 format, the 5K contains 50% less liquid. The duty calculation falls from £2.64 to £1.32 per complete liquid set. That calculation says nothing about whether the shop price is 50% lower.
For a first purchase, compare the Pixl 5K Vape Kit, which includes the device, with the replacement-only Pixl 5K Pods. Buying replacement pods without the correct device does not provide a complete working kit.
Treat the 5K as its own system when ordering. Do not buy 5K pods for an 8000 device without explicit manufacturer confirmation. Existing users can compare the larger Pixl 8000 Refill Pods before deciding whether another device is worthwhile.
The smaller pack is an option for buyers who prefer less liquid per replacement. Its advertised puff count does not establish better value than the 8000 range.
What does the IVG Pro 5K change for IVG users?
IVG Pro 5K introduces a 6ml refill format compatible with IVG PRO and PRO 2 devices, according to IVG. Each refill combines a 2ml prefilled pod and a 4ml refill container with 20mg/ml nicotine salt.
IVG specifies a rechargeable 1000mAh device, a display and Type-C charging for the kit. The advertised puff count is up to 5,000. Existing owners should check their exact model name against IVG’s compatibility information, particularly where retailers use Pro, Pro 12 or 10K naming.
For buyers who need a device, Royal Vapery lists the IVG Pro 5K kit. Owners of a confirmed compatible device can check the IVG Pro 5K refill pods instead.
The 6ml refill carries £1.32 in duty, compared with £2.64 for a 12ml liquid set. Whether switching saves money depends on the actual refill price and how often you replace it.
Use IVG’s 6ml specification when comparing capacity. A conflicting retailer description is not evidence that the same 5K product contains 7ml.
How do Pyne Pod Nic Salts offer a different option?
Pyne Pod Nic Salts offer bottled liquid for a refillable pod kit, rather than a smaller sealed replacement pack. The researched range uses 10ml bottles, allowing users to refill a compatible pod instead of replacing a prefilled assembly each time.
Bottled liquid and sealed Pyne Pod Click refills serve different systems. A familiar flavour name does not make a sealed cartridge refillable. Use bottled liquid only in a device designed for manual filling, following the device and liquid instructions.
A 10ml bottle carries £2.20 in duty when duty applies. 5 bottles contain 50ml and carry £11 of duty before VAT. Bottled liquid therefore has no special exemption from the tax.
The buying comparison includes the liquid, device and replacement pods or coils. A low bottle price alone does not establish the total ongoing cost.
Royal Vapery’s current Pyne Pod listing, stocked strengths and offer need confirmation before publication, so no live purchase price is quoted here. Buyers considering the format can explore nic salt e-liquids and check suitability for their refillable kit.
Where does the Al Fakher Crown Bar 600 fit?
Al Fakher Crown Bar 600 is an established 2ml alternative, rather than a confirmed launch after the duty started. It belongs in this comparison because a small individual pod carries less duty per unit.
A single 2ml pod attracts 44p of duty, or approximately 53p including VAT on that duty amount. A retail pack containing two 2ml pods holds 4ml and carries 88p of duty before VAT. Check the number of pods in the selected pack before comparing prices.
New users can check the Al Fakher Crown Bar 600 kit. Existing owners should check the exact Crown Bar 600 pods, including the selected nicotine strength and MTL or DTL variant.
The 2ml unit has the lowest duty amount among the individual liquid quantities compared here. That does not make it the cheapest way to buy 10ml of liquid. More frequent replacements and packaging costs can outweigh the smaller duty amount per purchase.
How do the new vape products compare?
The comparison below separates liquid quantity, advertised puffs and calculated duty. Duty figures apply to duty-liable liquid, they are not extra charges to add to a displayed checkout price.
| Product or format | Total liquid | Advertised puffs | Duty | Duty plus 20% VAT on duty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hayati Pro Max +4000 | 7ml | 4,000+ | £1.54 | £1.85 |
| PIXL 5K liquid set | 6ml | Up to 5,000 | £1.32 | £1.58 |
| IVG Pro 5K liquid set | 6ml | Up to 5,000 | £1.32 | £1.58 |
| Pyne Pod Nic Salts | 10ml | No directly compare | £2.20 | £2.64 |
| Crown Bar 600 pod | 2ml | Up to 600 | £0.44 | £0.53 |
| Larger liquid set | 12ml | Varies by product | £2.64 | £3.17 |
VAT illustrations are rounded to the nearest penny and show VAT on the duty component only. Final retail prices include other costs and applicable VAT. Crown Bar calculations are per individual 2ml pod, not an unconfirmed multipack.
What do the researched prices tell you?
The supplied Royal Vapery research recorded these prices on 3 November 2026. These are research snapshots, not a promise of current stock, price or duty status.
| Replacement pack | Researched price | Liquid | Approximate price per ml |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hayati Pro Max+ 4000 | £5.99 | 7ml | 86p |
| PIXL 5K | £4.99 | 6ml | 83p |
| Hayati 6000, five-pack | £25 for five | 60ml total | 42p |
At those recorded prices, the larger Hayati offer costs less per millilitre. Smaller packs therefore need a practical reason to suit your use, their lower liquid content alone does not establish a saving.
Kit prices are excluded from this refill comparison because they include hardware. IVG refill pricing and the proposed Pyne offer remain unconfirmed. Check the selected variant, current offer and total pack contents before purchasing.
Will the new pods fit your existing kit?
Compatibility depends on the exact device and pod assembly, rather than the brand name or puff count. Use the fit guidance below before buying replacement liquid.
| Replacement | Device pairing | Buying guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Hayati Pro Max Plus 4000 | Matching 4K kit | Confirm separately before using with a 6000 device |
| PIXL 5K | Matching 5K kit | Compatibility with PIXL 8000 |
| IVG Pro 5K | IVG PRO and PRO 2 | Check the exact model where retailer |
| Crown Bar 600 pod | Matching Crown Bar 600 | Check pod variant and pack contents |
| Pyne Pod bottled nic salts | Suitable refillable device | Not intended to refill sealed Click pods |
Keep your current device when the manufacturer confirms compatibility. A new model name alone is not a reason to replace working hardware. Never force a cartridge into a device or alter its contacts to make it fit.
Should you buy a smaller pack or a bigger pack?
Choose pack size using price per millilitre, replacement frequency and nicotine suitability. The smallest purchase is not necessarily the lowest ongoing cost.
A smaller pack may suit an existing vaper who uses liquid slowly, prefers buying less at once or wants to change flavour more frequently. A larger pack may suit someone who wants fewer replacements and finds a lower price per millilitre.
Calculate value with this formula, pack price ÷ total liquid in the pack = price per ml. Compare replacement packs with replacement packs, using the same nicotine strength and any multibuy conditions.
The 4K and 5K formats researched here are 20mg/ml. Do not increase nicotine strength simply to buy a smaller pack. Check a suitable lower-strength or nicotine-free option when that matches your existing use.
Days per pack depend on consumption. For illustration only, 6ml lasts two days at 3ml per day, while 12ml lasts four days at the same rate. These are arithmetic examples, not test results or a recommended daily amount.
What does “pre vape tax” mean, and what changes in April 2027?
“Pre vape tax” usually describes stock manufactured or imported before 1 October 2026. Eligible unstamped stock can continue to be bought and sold during the transition period ending 31 March 2027, according to HMRC.
From 1 April 2027, vaping products sold or supplied in the UK must carry a valid duty stamp. The deadline concerns the retail supply rules, it is not itself an announcement of a second duty-rate increase.
A price can change as older stock sells through and retailers replenish with duty-paid products. The amount and timing depend on the product and retailer. A low price or a “pre tax” label alone does not prove a particular pack’s status.
HMRC states that only digital duty stamps can be affixed from 1 January 2027. That application date should not be confused with the April retail deadline.
Questions about new vapes after the tax?
What new vapes are available around the duty change?
The newer smaller formats covered here are Hayati Pro Max Plus 4000, PIXL 5K and IVG Pro 5K. Their inclusion does not mean all three first launched after 1 October 2026.
Why are vape pods getting smaller?
Smaller liquid sets carry less duty per pack. The rate remains 22p per ml, so reducing capacity reduces the total taxable liquid.
Do smaller pods give fewer puffs?
Usually, smaller packs give fewer puffs under comparable conditions. Advertised totals vary with power, coil design and draw length.
How much is vape tax per ml?
Vaping Products Duty is 22p per ml, equivalent to £2.20 per 10ml, regardless of nicotine strength.
Do IVG Pro 5K pods fit the IVG Pro 12?
IVG confirms compatibility with devices it names PRO and PRO 2. Confirm your exact Pro 12 model against that guidance before purchase.
Do PIXL 8000 pods fit the PIXL 5K?
Treat the ranges as separate systems unless PIXL explicitly confirms the pairing. Buy the pod named for your device.
Are nic salts cheaper than prefilled pods after duty?
Nic salts can cost less overall, but compare current liquid prices plus replacement pods or coils. The duty rate per ml is identical.
Can shops still sell vapes without duty stamps?
Yes, eligible stock manufactured or imported before 1 October 2026 can be sold unstamped until 31 March 2027 under HMRC’s transition rules.
Will prices rise again after March 2027?
Prices may change as eligible older stock sells out. The stamp deadline does not set a universal retail price increase or a new duty rate.
Which smaller packs may work with an existing device?
IVG confirms its 5K pods work with PRO and PRO 2 devices. Other pairings need model-specific confirmation.
Which format has the lowest duty per unit here?
A single 2ml pod carries 44p of duty. Multipacks contain more liquid and attract a higher total duty amount.
Is a 5K pack better value than a larger pack?
Not automatically. Compare the actual price per ml and replacement frequency rather than the advertised puff number.
What is the difference between a 5K kit and refill pods?
A kit includes the device and the listed starter contents. Replacement pods supply consumables for a compatible device you already own.
