Royal Mail and
The Windsor Framework
The Windsor Framework, the agreement between the UK and the EU amending the Northern Ireland Protocol and the legal instruments which sit beneath it, including but not limited to statutory guidance, comes into effect no sooner than 31 March 2025. We would encourage customers to familiarise themselves with the requirements. The Windsor Framework does not affect goods movements from NI to GB or from NI to NI.
The Windsor Framework will come into effect no sooner than 31 March 2025. The regulations for sending goods from Great Britain (GB) to Northern Ireland (NI) will change. Customers sending goods must provide additional data depending on whether the parcel is a Business to Consumer (B2C), Consumer to Consumer (C2C), Consumer to Business (C2B) or Business to Business (B2B).
On 19 September 2024, the Government updated its Windsor Framework guidance on sending parcels from Great Britain to Northern Ireland. The Government confirmed that the new arrangements will now not take effect from 30 September 2024. While the Government will provide further information on the detailed timeline on when the new arrangements will come into force, it states that businesses should be fully prepared by 31 March 2025.
The Windsor Framework will require that additional data is provided to send goods from Great Britain and Northern Ireland from when the requirements come into effect. The data that will be required depends on the type of parcel movement and whether the recipient is a consumer or business. We continue to work with Government about the specific requirements for Royal Mail customers and will provide sufficient notice for you and your shipping partners to prepare before the new arrangements become mandatory.
Please follow the link for the latest Government guidance.
For further help and information please bookmark this webpage.
For business to business (B2B) movements, business customers are encouraged to apply for authorisation to the UK Internal Market Scheme (UKIMS). This authorisation can, alongside other criteria, enable you to declare goods ‘not at risk’ of onward transport to the EU.
Frequently asked questions
The Windsor Framework only affects customers sending goods from Great Britain (GB) to Northern Ireland (NI). The new regulations do not affect goods sent from NI to GB or from NI to NI, or items of correspondence.
Yes. The regulations apply to all carriers and will take effect no sooner than 31 March 2025.
Only parcels containing goods are covered by the Windsor Framework.
- Business to consumer (B2C): Parcels sent by a business in Great Britain to a private individual residing in Northern Ireland for personal use.
- Consumer to business (C2B): Parcels sent by a private individual in Great Britain to a business in Northern Ireland (for example, a customer returning an item to a shop).
- Consumer to consumer (C2C): Parcels sent by a private individual in Great Britain to a private individual residing in Northern Ireland for personal use.
- Business to business (B2B): Parcels sent by a business in Great Britain to a business in Northern Ireland.
The new UK Internal Market Scheme (UKIMS) allows registered businesses to provide a reduced dataset when sending B2B parcels from GB to NI. UKIMS registration indicates the parcels being sent are categorised as ‘not at risk’ of entry into the EU.
UKIMS only applies to B2B movements. UKIMS-registered businesses will be required to provide a reduced dataset compared to businesses not UKIMS-registered. B2B goods movements categorised as ‘not at risk’ must be accompanied by a valid UKIMS registration.
Together with the reduced dataset requirements (compared to non-UKIMS B2B movements), a UKIMS registration will reduce the likelihood of goods movements being delayed or held for inspection, with potential custom charges applied.
Goods ‘not at risk’ relates to B2B movements only. Goods categorised as ‘not at risk’ of entry to the EU, will require a reduced dataset compared to those goods categorised as ‘at risk’. Government guidance
Goods ‘at risk’ relates to B2B movements only. Goods categorised as ‘at risk’ of entry to the EU, will need to meet greater data requirements.
This is a 6- or 8-digit code associated with the goods description. Commodity codes can be found here.
Items containing only correspondence (including, but not limited to, personal and non-personal correspondence e.g. postcards, letters, braille letters, invoices and statements) and such other items, goods or articles which are classed as correspondence.
Items which are not categorised as correspondence, and which have an intrinsic or resale value, such as an item sent to fulfil a customer order, replacement parts, collectibles. This can include (but is not limited to) items sent without charge as gifts or samples.
Guidance can be found at the following link, which also covers items which are sent ‘free of charge’.