A fuel vapor storage and recovery apparatus (1) comprising at least one main vapor storage compartment (3) filled with an adsorbent material, at least one vapor inlet port (7), at least one atmospheric vent port (8), and at least one purge port (9). The vapor inlet port (7) being connectable to a fuel tank venting line and the purge port (9) being connectable to an engine air intake line, wherein the main vapor storage compartment (3) comprises a purge buffer zone (14) as well as first vapor distribution chamber (10), wherein the first fuel vapor distribution chamber (10) includes a liquid trap.