E-Liquids UK: Vape Juice, Nic Salts & Shortfills Explained
Welcome to the e-liquid collection at Pouch & Pod. Whether you vape with a compact pod kit or a sub-ohm device, the right vape juice makes all the difference to flavour, throat hit and how a setup performs day to day. This page is here to help you understand what e-liquid actually is, how the different formats and strengths compare, and what current UK regulation means for the products you can buy. Everything sold here is strictly for adults aged 18 and over, and our checkout is age-verified to keep it that way.
What Is E-Liquid?
E-liquid (also called vape juice or e-juice) is the liquid that a vape device heats into vapour. It's made from a small number of well-understood ingredients, each with a specific job:
- Propylene Glycol (PG) — a thin carrier liquid that carries flavour well and produces a more pronounced throat hit. Higher PG content gives a sharper, more direct feel.
- Vegetable Glycerine (VG) — a thicker, slightly sweet carrier that produces denser vapour and a smoother inhale. Higher VG content means bigger clouds and a softer throat hit.
- Flavourings — food-grade flavour concentrates that give each e-liquid its character, from fruit and menthol to dessert, tobacco and drink-inspired blends.
- Nicotine — optional. E-liquids are available with nicotine in varying strengths, or as completely nicotine-free (0mg) options.
The balance between PG and VG, the flavour profile and the nicotine strength are the three levers that define how any bottle behaves in your device.
Freebase vs Nic Salt: Which Suits Your Kit?
One of the most important choices when you buy e-liquid online in the UK is between freebase nicotine and nic salt nicotine. They are different formulations and they suit different hardware.
Freebase E-Liquid
Freebase is the traditional form of nicotine used in e-liquids. It tends to deliver a stronger throat hit at higher strengths, which is why it's usually offered at lower nicotine levels (commonly 3mg and 6mg) in high-VG blends. Freebase liquids in higher-VG ratios are generally suited to sub-ohm devices and direct-to-lung (DTL) vaping, where you draw vapour straight into the lungs and enjoy larger clouds.
Nic Salt E-Liquid
Nic salt e-liquid uses nicotine in its salt form, which allows higher strengths to be inhaled more smoothly without a harsh throat hit. This makes nic salts a popular match for low-powered pod kits and mouth-to-lung (MTL) devices, where you take a tighter draw similar to a cigarette. Nic salts are typically sold at 10mg and 20mg and absorb quickly, which many pod users prefer. If you're using a small refillable pod system, nic salt is usually the natural choice.
10ml Nic Salt Bottles vs 50ml & 100ml Shortfills
You'll see two main bottle formats on our shelves, and understanding them helps you choose the right product and the right value.
10ml Nic Salt Bottles
These small bottles come ready to vape with nicotine already added, usually at 10mg or 20mg. They're convenient, pocket-friendly and ideal for pod kits. Under UK rules, any pre-filled bottle containing nicotine is limited to 10ml, which is why nic salt e-liquid almost always comes in this size.
50ml and 100ml Shortfills
A shortfill e-liquid is a larger bottle of nicotine-free liquid that's deliberately under-filled to leave room for nicotine to be added. A 60ml bottle filled with 50ml of liquid is a "50ml shortfill"; a 120ml bottle filled with 100ml is a "100ml shortfill". They're typically high-VG and made for sub-ohm vaping.
How Nic Shots Work
Because shortfills come nicotine-free, you add nicotine yourself using a nic shot — a 10ml bottle of unflavoured nicotine, usually 18mg in a 70/30 VG/PG base. The maths is straightforward: one 10ml nic shot added to a 50ml shortfill (filling the bottle to 60ml) gives roughly 3mg strength across the whole bottle. Adding two nic shots to a 100ml shortfill (filling to 120ml) gives roughly 3mg as well. After adding a shot, give the bottle a good shake and let it settle so the nicotine and flavour blend evenly. Shortfills plus nic shots are a popular way to enjoy larger quantities of liquid while staying within UK packaging rules.
Choosing Your Strength and VG/PG Ratio
There's no single "best" strength — it depends on your device and your current habits. As a general guide:
- 3mg — a low strength common in high-VG sub-ohm liquids and shortfill mixes; gentle throat hit.
- 6mg — a moderate freebase strength, often used in MTL setups or by those wanting a touch more than 3mg.
- 10mg — a mid nic salt strength suited to pod kits for a smoother experience.
- 20mg — the maximum strength permitted in the UK, typically a nic salt for pod devices.
For the ratio, a higher-PG blend (such as 50/50) carries flavour crisply and works well in pod kits and MTL devices. A higher-VG blend (such as 70/30 or 80/20) produces more vapour and suits sub-ohm tanks. Matching the liquid to your hardware is the simplest way to get a setup that performs as intended.
UK Regulation: TRPR Limits and the New Vaping Products Duty
E-liquids in the UK are governed by the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations (TRPR). The headline limits to be aware of are a maximum nicotine strength of 20mg/ml and a maximum bottle size of 10ml for any e-liquid that contains nicotine. This is exactly why nic salts come in 10ml bottles and why shortfills are sold nicotine-free with separate nic shots. Products must also meet packaging, labelling and notification requirements.
There's also an important change on the horizon. A new Vaping Products Duty is due to take effect from 1 October 2026, applying a flat rate of £2.20 per 10ml of e-liquid regardless of nicotine strength. In practical terms, this is an excise duty on the liquid itself, so it's expected to increase the retail price of e-liquids across the board once it comes into force. We're sharing this factually so you can plan ahead — it applies industry-wide, not just at Pouch & Pod. Until then, current pricing stands, and we'll keep our listings clear as the change approaches.
Brands Available at Pouch & Pod
We stock a wide range of established UK and international e-liquid brands so you can find a flavour and format that fits your kit. Brands available include:
- Vampire Vape — a long-running UK brand known for a broad flavour catalogue.
- Pod Salt — a brand focused on nic salt e-liquids for pod devices.
- Elfliq — nic salt liquids inspired by popular flavour profiles.
- IVG — a UK brand offering both nic salts and shortfills across many flavours.
- Bar Juice — nic salts modelled on familiar bar-style flavours.
- Riot — known for shortfills and nic salts in a wide flavour range.
- 13 Squid — a brand offering a selection of nic salt e-liquids.
Availability of specific flavours and strengths varies, and individual product pages show the exact PG/VG ratio, strength and bottle size for each option.
Why Buy E-Liquid Online from Pouch & Pod
When you choose to buy e-liquid online in the UK, the experience around the product matters as much as the bottle itself. Here's what you get with us:
- A huge flavour range — fruit, menthol, dessert, tobacco, drink-inspired and more across both nic salts and shortfills.
- Fast, discreet UK delivery — orders dispatched promptly and packaged plainly.
- Age-verified checkout — robust 18+ age verification on every order, because these products are for adults only.
- Multibuy offers — mix-and-match deals across selected ranges for better value.
- Subscribe & Save — set up a regular delivery of your usual liquids and save on each order.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between nic salt and freebase e-liquid?
Nic salt nicotine is smoother at higher strengths and suits low-powered pod kits, while freebase nicotine gives a stronger throat hit and is usually paired with higher-VG liquids for sub-ohm devices. Choose based on your hardware and the strength you're after.
What is a shortfill and why doesn't it contain nicotine?
A shortfill is a larger bottle of nicotine-free e-liquid that's under-filled to leave space for a nic shot. UK rules cap nicotine-containing bottles at 10ml, so selling liquid in larger bottles means it must be supplied nicotine-free, with nicotine added separately by the customer if desired.
How do I add a nic shot to a shortfill?
Add one 10ml nic shot (typically 18mg) to a 50ml shortfill to fill the bottle to 60ml, giving roughly 3mg strength. For a 100ml shortfill, add two nic shots to reach 120ml for the same approximate 3mg. Shake well and let it settle before vaping.
What nicotine strength should I choose?
It depends on your device and preference. Pod kits commonly use nic salts at 10mg or 20mg, while sub-ohm setups typically use 3mg or 6mg high-VG liquids. The UK maximum is 20mg/ml. Each product page lists the available strengths.
What does the new Vaping Products Duty mean for prices?
From 1 October 2026, a Vaping Products Duty of £2.20 per 10ml will apply to e-liquids regardless of strength. As an excise duty on the liquid, it's expected to raise retail prices across the industry once it takes effect. Current pricing applies until then.
Do I need to be 18 to buy e-liquid?
Yes. All vaping products, including e-liquids, are for adults aged 18 and over only. Our checkout uses age verification, and we cannot sell or dispatch these products to anyone under 18.