Liquids in Germany: TPD, 10 ml, 20 mg/ml and age 18 – the rules simply explained

In short: In Germany, e-liquids are mainly covered by the Tobacco Products Act (implementation of the EU tobacco product directive TPD2), the Youth Protection Act and the Tobacco Tax Act. The most important points: liquids containing nicotine may not contain more than 20 mg of nicotine per ml and may only be sold in bottles up to 10 ml. Sale and delivery are only allowed to adults aged 18 and over – also for nicotine-free liquids. In addition, a liquid tax applies, 2026 is the 0.€32 per ml.

Overview of the legal bases

• EU Tobacco Product Directive 2014/40/EU (TPD2): sets minimum standards for e-cigarettes and refill containers throughout the EU.
• Tobacco Products Act (TabakerzG) and Tobacco Products Ordinance (TabakerzV): TPD2 in Germany implements – with rules on nicotine content, filling quantities, ingredients, labelling and reporting.
• Youth Protection Act (JuSchG): regulates the ban on dispensing minors.
• Tobacco tax law: regulates the tax on liquids (‘substitutes for tobacco products').

Maximum 20 mg/ml nicotine

Liquids containing nicotine may be used in Germany and the entire EU Not more than 20 mg of nicotine per millilitre In this case, the Stronger liquids are not available in legal trade. Typical strengths are therefore 0, 6, 10, 12 and 20 mg/ml. The counselor explains what these values mean Nicotine salt liquid explained.

Maximum 10 ml per bottle – and 2 ml in the tank

• Refill container Not more than liquid containing nicot 10 ml European Therefore nicotine liquid is only available in 10 ml bottles.
• Tanks, cartridges and disposable e-cigarettes with nicotine must not exceed: 2 ml Liquid included.
• For nicotine-free Products do not apply the 10 ml limit. ==References== B. Shortfills (larger bottles with nicotine-free liquid and space for refilling).

Packaging and labelling

Legal liquids you recognize by these features:

• Child-proof and tamper-proof closure, break-out and leak-proof bottle
• List of ingredients and indication of nicotine content
• Batch number and manufacturer's details
• Warning liquids containing nicotine: "This product contains nicotine: a substance that is highly addictive.
• Package leaflet with instructions for use and storage
• Control characters as proof of the taxable goods

In the absence of this information, the product probably does not originate from legal German trade.

Prohibited ingredients and reporting requirements

Manufacturers must notify their products to the competent authority before sale and disclose the ingredients. Certain additives are prohibited in liquids, including: Vitamins, caffeine and taurine and substances classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic to reproduction. ==References== On 1 January 2021, these rules also apply explicitly to: nicotine-free liquids. For more information: Nicotine-free liquids.

Youth protection: liquids only from 18

Under the Youth Protection Act, e-cigarettes, e-shishas and their refill containers may not be delivered to children and adolescents or consumed by them in public. The following shall apply: whether or not nicotine is present.

In online trading, retailers must ensure that no goods are sent to minors. In the Holster Shop this happens in two stages: with a age verification in the shop and an age or The identity check at the time of delivery (e.g. B. DHL Ident Check). The package will not be handed out without successful testing. For more information: Shipping and age verification at Holster and Tobacco and youth protection.

Liquid tax: what is in the price

Since July 2022, a tax on liquids has been levied in Germany, which has been gradually increased. 2026 it is €0.32 per milliliter – for a 10 ml bottle €3.20 already included in the selling price. The tax applies to nicotine-containing and nicotine-free liquids. At a price of € 6.49 for a bottle of LIQ IT, the liquid tax is almost half the amount.

Menthol: allowed for liquids, not for tobacco

==References== Menthol is banned as an additive in cigarettes and smoking tobacco, including shisha tobacco. This prohibition does not apply to e-liquids; ice and menthol liquids are allowed. For shisha tobacco, "Ice" stands for a mementhol-free cooling note. Details on our page Cooling note & menthol notice (TPD2).

Do the rules apply to nicotine-free liquids?

Partly. The limits of 10 ml per refill container and 20 mg/ml are rules for nicotine containing liquids. Therefore, nicotine-free liquids can also be sold in larger bottles, for example as short fill. Other requirements, however, apply regardless of the nicotine content:

• Youth protection: The Youth Protection Act prohibits the supply of e-cigarettes, e-shishas and their containers to minors – even without nicotine.
• Liquidity tax: It is applied per millilitre, regardless of whether the liquid contains nicotine (2026: 0.€32 per ml).
• Ingredients: For nicotine-free liquids, provisions of tobacco product law on ingredients and labelling also apply.

The Holster Shop contains nicotine-free liquids as 10 ml bottles, such as LIQ IT in 0 mg/ml. All variants can be found at Nicotine-free liquids. Our sister shop is specialized in 0 mg liquids nicotine-free liquidds.de – there also a FAQ answers the most common questions about 0 mg nicotine.

Online purchase: age verification, shipping and travel

Those who sell liquids on the Internet must ensure that they do not go to minors. In the Holster Shop this happens in two stages: confirmation of age in the shop and age or Identity check at service. We only deliver within Germany. Make sure other dealers have an imprint, German mandatory information on the bottle and a tax mark or a taxed price.

In addition, the rules of the airline and the destination country apply when travelling: e-cigarettes and batteries usually belong in hand luggage, liquids are subject to the rules for liquids. In some countries, e-cigarettes or certain liquids are severely restricted or prohibited – prior to travel.

This article is a general overview and not legal advice. The current versions of the Tobacco Products Act, the Tobacco Products Regulation, the Youth Protection Act and the Tobacco Tax Act are relevant.

What does that mean for your shopping?

1. Only buy from dealers with imprint, age verification and German mandatory information.
2. Pay attention to 10 ml bottles, maximum 20 mg/ml, warning and control signs.
3. Keep liquids child safe – also nicotine-free.
4. When travelling abroad, check the rules there; they can be significantly stricter.

You can find our legal assortment at E-Liquids and LIQ IT liquids.

Frequently asked questions

How much nicotine can a liquid have in Germany?

Not more than 20 mg of nicotine per millilitre. This is regulated by the Tobacco Product Act, which implements the EU Tobacco Product Directive.

Why is liquids only available in 10 ml bottles with nicotine?

Replenishment containers with nicotine-containing liquid may contain a maximum of 10 ml by law. This limit does not apply to nicotine-free liquids.

Can I buy with 16 nicotine-free liquids?

Nope. The Youth Protection Act prohibits the supply of e-cigarettes, e-shishas and refill containers to minors – regardless of the nicotine content.

What is the liquid tax 2026?

2026 the tax is 0.€32 per milliliter, i.e. 3.€20 per 10 ml bottle. It also applies to nicotine-free liquids and is included in the selling price.

Is menthol allowed in liquids?

Yeah. The menthol ban since May 2020 applies to cigarettes and smoking tobacco including shisha tobacco, not to e-liquids.

Does the 10 ml limit also apply to nicotine-free liquids?

Nope. The maximum quantity of 10 ml per refill container applies to liquids containing nicotine. Nicotine-free liquids may also be sold in larger bottles; youth protection and liquid tax apply anyway.

Can I order liquids abroad?

If you order abroad, you must comply with the German tax and import rules; untaxed liquids can subsequently cause tax and trouble. The Holster Shop already includes the liquid tax in the price.

Matching: E-liquid mg explained, Nicotine salt or normal liquid? and all liquids under E-Liquids.

Note: All liquids and tobacco products in the Holster Shop are only sold to adults aged 18 and over, shipping only within Germany with age verification. Products containing nicotine contain nicotine, a substance that is very dependent. This guide serves the product information and is not a medical or legal consultation. As of October 2026.