New Vaping Regulations in Malta
What you need to know
As we usher in the new year, significant changes have taken effect for vaping enthusiasts and vendors in Malta. Starting from January 1st, 2025, the government has introduced new licensing requirements and an excise duty on all vape liquids entering the country. Here’s an in-depth look at how these changes will impact the vaping community, retailers, and consumers.
New Import Duty on Vape Liquids
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Applicability: The excise duty applies to all e-liquids, regardless of whether they contain nicotine. This inclusive approach means that even nicotine-free vape juices are subject to the new tax.
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Rate: The tax has been set at €0.13 per millilitre (ml). This rate is fixed for all e-liquids, making the cost of vaping more predictable but also more expensive.
Licensing Requirements for Importers
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New Regulations: Importers of vape products now need to secure a new license to operate. This move is aimed at regulating the quality and safety of vape products more stringently, which could benefit consumers in the long term by ensuring higher standards of product integrity.
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Long-term Benefits: While initially increasing the cost of entry into the market for new importers, these requirements could lead to a more regulated and safer vaping environment, potentially reducing the influx of substandard or counterfeit products.
Impact on Prices
The introduction of this excise duty will inevitably lead to an increase in retail prices. Here's a breakdown of how much you might expect to pay:
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600 Puff Disposable Vapes (2ml):
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Current Price (2024 Stock): €6.99
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Taxed Price (2025 Restock): €7.25
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10ml Bottle:
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Current Price: €4.00
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Taxed Price: €5.30
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60ml Bottle:
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Current Price: €12.50
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Taxed Price: €20.30
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120ml Bottle:
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Current Price: €17.50
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Taxed Price: €33.60
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240ml Bottle:
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Current Price: €25.00
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Taxed Price: €56.20
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Visibility of the New Tax
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Labelling: You'll start noticing new tax labels on e-liquid products as we move deeper into 2025. These labels will clarify the tax component in the pricing, providing transparency to consumers.
Consumer and Retailer Strategy
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Stock Before Tax: Retailers in Malta are currently holding onto stock from 2024, which will be sold at the current, untaxed price until May 1st, 2025.
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Stock Availability: There's a good amount of stock available at the moment but popular items will run out fast as news spreads, so advice for consumers is clear: if you're looking to save before the price hike, act now. Once the current stock is depleted, prices will reflect the new tax.
Conclusion
While the new excise duty and licensing requirements might not be "music to anyone's ears," they are part of a broader effort to regulate vaping more effectively in Malta. For consumers, this means higher costs but potentially better quality control over vape products. For retailers, it's a period of adjustment, ensuring compliance while managing inventory to cope with the pricing changes.
Whether you're a vaping enthusiast or a retailer, staying informed about these changes is crucial for navigating the new landscape of vaping in Malta as we move through 2025.