WARNING: Vaping products contain nicotine, a highly addictive chemical.
Health Canada
For adults of legal purchasing age only. In British Columbia, the minimum age is 19.
Adults may buy vaping products online where the transaction meets applicable requirements. The seller's obligations and the destination's age, product, flavour and excise rules all matter. This guide explains what to check before ordering. It is general information, not a determination that any particular product or order is eligible.
1. You must meet your province's minimum age
Federal law prohibits selling or sending vaping products to anyone under 18, and requires sellers to verify age. Provinces can set a higher minimum, and many do. In British Columbia it is 19; in Prince Edward Island it is 21. The age that applies is the one where the product is delivered.
For online vaping promotions, Health Canada requires effective age and identity verification. A checkbox or self-declared birth date is insufficient. Retail sale and delivery age checks are additional requirements, and should match the destination's minimum age.
2. The excise stamp must match your province
Since the federal vaping excise duty took effect on October 1, 2022, vaping products sold in Canada must carry an excise stamp. Which stamp depends on the province:
| Stamp | Where it is valid |
|---|---|
| Peach-coloured Canada stamp | British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Newfoundland and Labrador |
| Province- or territory-specific stamp | Alberta, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Yukon |
The CRA states that in the provinces and territories that use their own stamp, buying products with the peach Canada stamp is illegal, and that buying illegal or unstamped products can lead to fines. Nova Scotia was the most recent to join, with its own stamp required from April 1, 2026 and a transition period that ended June 30, 2026.
What this means for you: if you live in Alberta, Ontario, Quebec or any other province on the second row, the product you receive must carry your province's stamp, not the peach Canada stamp. Before ordering from a store in another province, ask which stamp your order will carry.
3. Some provinces ban flavoured vapes
Flavour restrictions differ by province and territory. Check the destination government's current rules for the exact product before ordering. Having the correct excise stamp does not override flavour restrictions or other sales requirements.
Check Health Canada's current regulatory information rather than relying on the status of an earlier federal flavour proposal.
BC hasn't banned flavours, but it limits them to adult-only stores. See our guide to BC vape laws.
4. Nicotine must be 20 mg/mL or less
Canada caps nicotine in vaping products at 20 mg/mL. Products labelled 50 mg/mL or "5%" are made for other markets. A Canadian store selling them is not following the law, and ordering them from outside Canada doesn't make them legal to bring in.
Ordering from outside Canada
Vaping products ordered from foreign websites may not meet Canadian labelling, nicotine and stamp requirements, and they can be stopped at the border. In BC, the 20% PST also applies to vapour products brought in from outside Canada. Buying from a Canadian retailer that follows Canadian rules is simpler.
How ID checks work at delivery
Expect to show government-issued photo ID when the package arrives. Depending on the seller and carrier, the name on the ID may need to match the name on the order, and the package may not be left at the door or with a neighbour. For our local deliveries in Burnaby and up to 20 km away, the driver checks photo ID and the name must match the order. See how our same-day delivery works.
Checklist: is this online vape store legitimate?
- It effectively verifies age and identity before exposing visitors to online vaping promotions, and follows destination-specific sale and delivery age requirements.
- Products show 20 mg/mL or less.
- Product photos or descriptions mention the excise stamp, or the store can tell you which stamp ships to your province.
- Packaging carries Health Canada's nicotine warning in English and French.
- It has a real Canadian address and phone number.
- Prices are in line with other licensed stores. Prices far below market often mean unstamped or counterfeit stock.
Our guide to spotting fake or illegal vapes shows what a genuine stamp looks like.
Buying from Vape Father
Vape Father has a store at 4619 Kingsway, Burnaby. Local customers can visit the store near Metrotown (9am to 12am daily) or check same-day delivery availability for qualifying orders. Shipping availability, charges and product eligibility depend on the destination and selected items. For orders outside BC, contact Vape Father at (236) 999-5334 before ordering to confirm destination-specific stock, stamps and shipping options.
FAQ
Is it legal to buy vapes online in Canada?
Yes, for adults who meet their province's minimum age, as long as the product is legal for sale in their province.
Do I need ID for online vape orders?
Expect effective age and identity verification online, plus any required photo-ID check at delivery. A self-declaration alone does not satisfy Health Canada's guidance for access to online promotions.
Can a BC store ship flavoured vapes to Quebec or Nova Scotia?
Those provinces restrict flavoured vaping products, so flavoured products can't legally be sold there.
Why does the stamp matter if I paid the right price?
The stamp shows that the duty owed in your province was paid. In provinces with their own stamp, buying products with the peach Canada stamp is illegal.
Taxes on online orders
Sales taxes follow the delivery address. Orders delivered in BC include 20% PST on vapour products plus GST. Other provinces charge their own sales taxes, and the provinces with their own excise stamp also charge an additional provincial vaping duty, which is built into the product price rather than added at checkout.
