You’ve probably seen those massive bottles of e-liquid in vape shops and noticed they’re not filled all the way to the top. What’s that all about? Is it a mistake?
Don’t worry – it’s completely intentional! Those bottles are called “shortfills,” and they’re one of the smartest and most popular ways to vape. This guide will explain what they are, how to use them, and if they’re the right choice for you.
TLDR
- A shortfill is a large bottle of nicotine-free e-liquid with space left to add nicotine
- You add a 10ml nicotine shot to create low-strength vape juice (usually 3mg)
- They’re cost-effective for sub-ohm vapers who use lots of e-liquid
- You can vape shortfills without adding nicotine if you prefer 0mg
- From 1 October 2026, UK vape duty of £2.20 per 10ml applies to shortfills and nic shots alike, with or without nicotine.
- With VPD in full effect, home-mixing with liquids that haven’t had duty paid is illegal, even for personal use, according to HMRC. Blending a shortfill and nic shot that have already been taxed, though, remains perfectly acceptable.
- Buying a duty-paid shortfill and adding a duty-paid nic shot is still allowed; mixing from raw ingredients at home is not the same thing in law
The Simple Meaning of a Shortfill E-Liquid
A shortfill is a bottle of e liquid that comes without nicotine and is deliberately underfilled. You’ll typically find them in 60ml or 120ml bottles that contain 50ml or 100ml of e-liquid, respectively. The empty space at the top is there for a reason – it’s where you add your nicotine shot to create your finished vape juice.
So why does this format exist? It comes from the TPD rules, which UK law applies through the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016. Nicotine-containing e-liquid can only be sold at up to 20mg/ml, in bottles of no more than 10ml. Nicotine-free liquid isn’t caught by that bottle-size limit, so the flavour goes in a big bottle at 0mg and you add the nicotine yourself.
That limit is about nicotine, not tax. From 1 October 2026 the UK’s new Vaping Products Duty applies to nicotine-free liquid too, and what that means for shortfills is covered further down this page.
How to Use a Shortfill in 3 Simple Steps
Getting your shortfill ready to vape is super easy and takes less than a minute.
Step 1. Add Nicotine
Remove the cap and nozzle from your shortfill bottle. Take your 10ml nicotine shot and pour the entire contents into the larger bottle. Most shortfills come with space for one or two nic shots.
Step 2. Shake Well
Replace the cap securely and shake the bottle vigorously for at least one minute. This ensures the nicotine mixes evenly throughout the e-liquid.
Step 3. Vape or Steep
Your e-liquid is now ready to use, though many vapers find the flavour improves after leaving it in a cool, dark place (steeping) for 24 hours.
Pro Tip: Want to vape nicotine-free? Easy. Just skip adding the nic shot and use the e-liquid straight from the bottle.
Shortfill vs. Longfill vs. Nic Salt: What’s the Difference?
Knowing your e-liquid types helps you pick the perfect juice for your kit.
| Feature | Shortfill | Longfill | Nic Salt |
|---|---|---|---|
| What’s Inside | 0mg E-Liquid | Flavour Concentrate Only | Pre-Mixed Nicotine Juice |
| How to Use | Add 1-2 Nic Shots | Add Base & Nicotine | Ready to Vape |
| Best For | Cloud Chasers & Low-Nic Vapers | DIY Mixologists | New Vapers & Pod Kits |
| Effort Level | Low | High | None – Zero Fuss |
What Is the Difference Between Shortfill and 10ml?
The difference is the nicotine. In the UK a bottle of nicotine-containing vape juice can be sold at up to 20mg/ml and can hold no more than 10ml. Anything bigger has to leave the shop with no nicotine in it, which is why shortfills are 0mg on the shelf.
Adding nicotine after you’ve bought it is the whole point of the format, and the rules allow it. What you add still has to be something you can legally buy, so in practice that means 10ml nic shots at 20mg/ml or less — and from 1 October 2026 those nic shots have to be duty-paid.
Shortfills and the Vape Duty From 1 October 2026
From 1 October 2026 the UK charges Vaping Products Duty on vaping liquid at a flat £2.20 per 10ml — 22p per millilitre — and HMRC applies it whether or not the liquid contains nicotine. A 0mg shortfill is vaping liquid, so it is taxed. So is the nic shot you drop into it.
Because the rate is per millilitre, the finished bottle is what counts. A 100ml shortfill plus two 10ml nic shots is 120ml, and carries the same duty as buying 120ml as twelve separate 10ml bottles.
Can You Still Add a Nic Shot to a Shortfill?
Yes, and HMRC says so in as many words. Its guidance on manufacturing without approval reads:
From 1 October 2026 it will be against the law to manufacture vaping products in places that have not been checked and approved by HMRC. This includes the mixing of non-duty paid liquids to produce a liquid to be used in a vape, even if not produced for commercial sale.
It will not include the mixing of multiple duty-paid liquids, for example a duty-paid ‘shortfill’ (nicotine-free liquid) and duty-paid ‘nicotine-shot’.
HMRC, Prepare for Vaping Products Duty and the Vaping Duty Stamps Scheme
Buying a duty-paid shortfill and a duty-paid nic shot from a UK retailer and shaking them together at home is the case HMRC has explicitly carved out. It doesn’t make you a manufacturer, and it doesn’t need approval.
Why DIY Mixing Is Treated Differently
Mixing from raw ingredients — PG, VG, flavour concentrates and nicotine base — is a different thing in law. HMRC’s guidance covers all substances intended for vaping, including those made at home from ingredients such as PG, VG and flavourings, and lists “a manufacturer of vaping products (including products made at home) based in the UK” among the people the duty applies to.
Moreover, now that VPD is in full effect, home-mixing with non-duty-paid liquids is illegal, even for personal use, according to HMRC. Blending an already-taxed shortfill and nic shot, though, is fine.
Are Shortfills Still Cheaper?
Per millilitre, yes — and the duty doesn’t change which format wins, because it lands on every millilitre at the same rate.
On MIST prices in September 2026, a 100ml shortfill such as Drifter Bar Juice Pink Lemonade is £11.99, and an 18mg nic shot is £1.99. That’s £15.97 for 120ml of finished 3mg e-liquid, or roughly 13p per ml. Buying the same 120ml as 10ml nic salts at £4 a bottle — 3 for £10 on our current multibuy — works out closer to 33p per ml.
From 1 October 2026 the duty adds 22p per ml, plus VAT on the duty, to both routes. Both get dearer; the shortfill route stays the cheaper one per millilitre, but the gap between the two narrows. Prices move, so check the current ones before you do your own sums.
What About Duty Stamps?
Vaping products released to the UK market from 1 October 2026 have to carry a vaping duty stamp. Shops can carry on selling eligible unstamped stock they already hold until 31 March 2027. From 1 April 2027 every vaping product held outside duty suspension has to carry a valid stamp, and selling unstamped stock after that date is an offence.
Duty rules checked against HMRC guidance on 10 September 2026. They’re new, so check GOV.UK for the current position before making decisions about your own stock or mixing.
Who Should Use Shortfill E-Liquids?
Shortfills work best for specific types of vapers:
- Sub-ohm vapers: a high-wattage device gets through e-liquid quickly, and even with the 2026 duty added to every format, buying it 100ml at a time still costs less per millilitre than the same volume in 10ml bottles.
- Low-nicotine users: shortfills are built for 3mg and 6mg. Add one or two nic shots depending on the strength you want.
- 0mg vapers: already off nicotine? A shortfill gives you big-bottle flavours with nothing added.
How to Choose the Best Shortfill for You
Okay, so you’re ready to dive into the world of big bottles. But with so many options, how do you pick the right one? It all comes down to two simple things: the juice’s thickness and the flavour.
Getting Your Ratios Right: The VG/PG Lowdown
You’ll see “VG/PG ratio” on every bottle. This sounds technical, but it’s super simple once you know the secret.
- VG (Vegetable Glycerin) is the Cloud Maker. It’s a thick, slightly sweet liquid that’s responsible for producing those big, satisfying clouds of vapour.
- PG (Propylene Glycol) is the Flavour Carrier. It’s a much thinner liquid that’s great at carrying flavour and provides that “throat hit” sensation.
Almost all shortfills are high VG (usually a 70/30 VG/PG mix). This is because they’re designed to be used in bigger, more powerful sub-ohm vape kits that can handle the thick liquid and produce amazing clouds and flavour.
Something to keep in mind: High VG shortfills are for powerful, cloud-chasing kits. Don’t try to use them in a small, basic pod vape, as the thick juice will struggle to soak in and might clog your coil.
Finding Your Flavour: Where to Start?
The wall of flavours in a vape shop can be a bit much, with everything from simple apple to crazy dessert concoctions. The best way to find your favourite is to start with a category you already know you love.
- Fruits: The most popular starting point for a reason! Think juicy berry blends, sharp citrus, or sweet tropical mangoes.
- Desserts: For anyone with a sweet tooth. This is where you’ll find rich custards, creamy cheesecakes, and warm bakery flavours.
- Sweets & Candy: All your childhood favourites in vape form. Think sour gummies, sweet bubblegum, and classic hard candies.
- Drinks: From icy cool slushies and fizzy colas to rich coffees, there’s a drink-flavoured vape for every occasion.
- Menthol & Ice: If you love a cool, refreshing hit, this is your category. “Menthol” is a classic minty taste, while “Ice” adds a frosty, cooling sensation to other flavours (like Mango Ice).
Our advice? Start with a flavour profile you already enjoy in real life. If you love a good lemon tart, you’ll probably love a lemon tart vape. It’s the easiest way to find a winner on your first try.
A Few Shortfill Brands Worth Starting With
How about brands? These four ranges sell steadily here and cover most of what people ask for.
- Drifter: bar-style flavours in a 100ml bottle, which is what most people are after since disposables went. Drifter Bar Juice Pink Lemonade is the one we sell most of.
- Doozy Vape: the Seriously range splits neatly into fruit and dessert. Seriously Donuts is the one to try if you want a proper bakery flavour rather than a sweet fruit.
- Just Juice: strong, sharp fruit and mint blends. Their Brutal line is deliberately punchy, so start elsewhere if you prefer something gentle.
- Dr. Vapes: the Panther Series is the well-known one — sweeter and more layered than a straight fruit. Stock moves around, so check what’s in before you set your heart on a particular Panther.
FAQ
How Many Nicotine Shots Should You Add?
The amount of nicotine shots that you should add into a shortfill will depend on the bottle size, nicotine shot strength that you will be using, and your desired final nicotine strength. If this seems intimidating, don’t worry; it’s easy to get your head around how many nic shots you should add to your short-fill e-liquid. To help you with your shortfill calculations, you can refer to the table below:
| Shorfill Size | Number of 18mg Nic Shots | Total Nic Strength |
| 60ml (containing 50ml of 0% e-liquid) | 1x 10ml | 3mg |
| 60ml (containing 20ml of 0% e-liquid) | 4x 10ml | 12mg |
| 120ml (containing 100ml of 0% e-liquid) | 2x 10ml | 3mg |
It is worth noting that the majority of shortfills only provide enough free space and nicotine shots to reach 3mg. This is because most shortfills are intended for low-strength, high-VG vaping. This isn’t universal, however, and the MIST MTL Shortfills range offers bottles with room and nic shots to reach up to 12mg in nicotine strength.
For a step-by-step guide, read our How to Add Nicotine to Vape Juice.
You can also use our shortfill calculator
Nic Shot Calculator
Nicotine Shot ml required:
0.00mlHow many Nic Shots you need:
0Total Finished E-Liquid:
0.00mlDo I Need to Steep After Adding Nicotine Shots, and for How Long?
Yes, you will need to steep after adding nicotine shots to the shortfill. You should steep for at least 24 – 48 hours to allow the flavour concentrates to develop across the newly added nicotine shots.
Keep in mind that you can technically vape your shortfill as soon as the nic shots have been added, but you will notice improved flavour by the next day. This is especially true for shortfills that take more than a single nicotine shot.
People who mix from raw ingredients sometimes steep for two to three weeks, matching the brewing times commercial manufacturers use. Worth knowing that from 1 October 2026 that kind of mixing needs HMRC-approved premises, which is covered in the vape duty section above.
We have more detailed information in our guide on how to steep e-liquid.
Can You Vape Shortfill Without Nicotine?
Yes, you can. You don’t necessarily have to add a nicotine shot to shortfill to enjoy the great flavours. You will, of course, not gain any nicotine relief from doing so. Still, many vapers who are reducing their nicotine intake will eventually begin vaping nicotine-free e-liquids to satisfy a mental habit even after the physical one has been overcome.
Will Shortfills Still Be Sold After 1 October 2026?
Yes. Vaping Products Duty taxes shortfills, it doesn’t ban them. What changes is that the duty is paid before the bottle reaches the shelf, and new stock released to the market from that date carries a vaping duty stamp.
Can I Avoid the Vape Duty by Mixing at Home?
No. HMRC’s guidance covers all substances intended for vaping, including liquid made at home from PG, VG and flavourings, and counts home manufacturers among the people the duty applies to. From 1 October 2026, mixing non-duty-paid liquids into vape juice on premises HMRC hasn’t approved is against the law even if you only make it for yourself. Combining a duty-paid shortfill with a duty-paid nic shot is the one HMRC has specifically said is fine.
Can You Use Shortfills in Pods?
Technically, you can use shortfills in pods, but you have to double-check the VG/PG ratio of the shortfill and your coil’s homage. MTL coils (with resistances of 0.8ohms or higher) can capture and atomise 50/50 and high-PG e-liquids without issue but won’t be able to soak up high-VG e-liquids.
Similarly, DTL coils (with resistances of 0.7ohms or less) will soak and atomise high-VG e-liquids but are likely to experience spills and leaks if you try and use 50/50 or high-PG e-liquids with them.
Acquiring one of the best sub-ohm vape kits is essential if you’d like to use high-VG shortfills to enjoy producing large clouds from high-powered devices.
Need More Help?
Shortfills are the go-to for vapers who want flexibility and a lower cost per millilitre. Add your nic shot, shake it, and you’re away. That holds after 1 October 2026 too: duty makes every format dearer, but buying 100ml at a time still costs less per millilitre than the same volume in 10ml bottles.
Now that you understand the differences between shortfills, longfills, and nic salts, you can confidently choose the right e-liquid type for your vaping needs here at MIST online store.
