Windsor Framework

Background

The Windsor Framework is a post-Brexit agreement between the United Kingdom and the European Union. Announced on 27 February 2023 and formally coming into force on 30th September 2024, the framework aims to facilitate smoother trade between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK while ensuring Northern Ireland remains aligned with certain EU regulations.

Further detail on the arrangements overall are set out in the Command Paper, the Windsor Framework: a new way forward.

‍What does this mean for my business (in plain terms…)

From 30^th September 2024, the full “green lane” will take effect for the movement of all goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

So basically, for orders to Northern Ireland (BT postcode),you will have to pass to the couriers the same “customs” information as is currently passed for EU and ROW orders.

You will also have to state if the recipient is a business or not.

If the recipient is a business, the following information is true:

• You must send the senders (your) EORI and UKIMS
• You can also send a recipient UKIMS (if they have one)
• Customs data is required

If the recipient is not a business, then:

• Customs data is required

‍What are StoreFeeder doing to make sure I can continue to send to Northern Ireland?

• We have been busy collating all the information from each of our courier partners to ensure we are passing the correct data that they require. As is always the case, all couriers are working slightly differently, so this has been a long process, and we are still awaiting final confirmation from some partners.
• We are ensuring that all the data that will be required has an entry point within the software and that this data is available on the courier API’s so that when you despatch an order, the label just prints.
• We have been putting in place the functionality for you to mark orders and/or customers as B2B.

‍What do I need to do to ensure I can continue to send parcels to Northern Ireland after 30^th September 2024?

Ensure you have a UKIMS (UK Internal Market Scheme) number. You can find out more information about how to obtain a UKIMS number here:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-authorisation-for-the-uk-internal-market-scheme-if-you-bring-goods-into-northern-ireland

This will be added to your company identity.

Ensure that all your products have their customs information filled out and up to date. This includes:

• Product Description
• Detailed Product Description
• Product Harmonisation Code
• Country of Manufacture

All this information should be added on the “Shipping & Handling” tab of products inside StoreFeeder.

These are the only pre-requisites at present.

More information will be released as we progress towards the 30^th September 2024 start date.