Two provisions of the Windsor Framework previously slated to enter force at the start of October have been pushed back until 2025, the BBC has reported.
The Windsor Framework agreement on Northern Ireland replaced the Northern Ireland Protocol following an agreement between the UK and EU in early 2023.
A raft of new customs processes were due to enter force in October for parcels and freight, but have been pushed back to March 2025. The most significant was the introduction of customs processes for business-to-business parcels moving between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Parcel carriers were also expected to apply to a new ‘trusted trader’ scheme.
‘Events’ impact
HMRC said of the announcement that it would give traders more time to prepare for the requirements following uncertainty as a result of the recent general election:
"As our ongoing engagement with you has recognised, several events, including the general election and the pre-election period, have impacted on the preparations of traders and the border industry.
"We recognise that more time will therefore be required to ensure full readiness for the new arrangements."
The Northern Ireland (NI) Chamber of Commerce told the BBC last month that businesses in the region needed “clarity and an urgent plan” on the shape of parcel movement requirements.
Under the Northern Ireland Protocol, customs declarations would have been required for all parcels moving between GB and NI, though businesses had argued this would not have been possible in practice.
Labelling
It follows the announcement that plans for the requirement of ‘Not for EU’ labels on certain food and drink goods would be postponed indefinitely, after they were also originally meant to be implemented in October.
Maighdlin Gibson, trade and customs specialist at the Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade, said yesterday that the labelling requirement had placed “additional planning and spending burdens on businesses, while requiring compliance with the Windsor Framework”.
Monitoring Panel
Yesterday (19 September), Northern Ireland secretary Hilary Benn announced former HMRC customs policy director Aidan Reilly, as well as CustomsClear chief content officer Anna Jerzewska and former Invest NI chief Alastair Hamilton, would form the new Windsor Framework Independent Monitoring Panel.
Benn also “underlined the government’s commitment” to new public body Intertrade UK, which aims to promote trade within the UK’s internal market.
Benn added on the new panel:
“The Independent Monitoring Panel will play a key role in monitoring and reporting on the implementation of the Windsor Framework. I am pleased that three highly respected experts have agreed to join the panel, and welcome them to their roles.”