The Windsor Framework

Find guidance to help your business move goods into, out of, or through Northern Ireland under the new arrangements.

What the Windsor Framework means for your business

The Windsor Framework sets out how goods move between Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) and Northern Ireland.

It introduces new processes for moving goods, including simplified arrangements for some goods and additional requirements for others.

These changes may affect how you:

• import goods into Northern Ireland
• export goods from Northern Ireland
• move goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland
• send parcels or retail goods

The framework has been introduced in stages. The main arrangements are now in place, with further updates and reviews ongoing. See the Windsor Framework timeline.

Dual market access

Dual market access is a key feature of the Windsor Framework. It allows businesses in Northern Ireland to sell goods in both:

• the UK internal market (England, Scotland and Wales)
• the European Union single market (including Ireland and other EU countries)

This means businesses in Northern Ireland can trade with both markets under one set of arrangements, helping to expand sales and reach new customers. You can find guidance and support to help you access new markets. 

Get guidance and support

Under the Windsor Framework, the processes you follow will depend on:

• the type of goods you are moving
• whether goods are staying in Northern Ireland or moving to the EU
• how the goods are transported (for example, freight or parcels)

Find guidance to help you understand how the Windsor Framework applies in practice, including the key processes for moving goods.

Moving goods from Great Britain to Northern Ireland

• Apply for the UK Internal Market Scheme
• Declare goods as 'not at risk' of entering the EU

Retail food and groupage movements

Northern Ireland Retail Movement Scheme (NIRMS)

• How the scheme works
• How to register and seal consignments
• Groupage and mixed load consignments
• Labelling requirements

Plants and plant products

Northern Ireland Plant Health Label (NIPHL) Scheme

• Moving plants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland

Parcels and carriers

• Sending parcels between Great Britain and Northern Ireland
• Sending sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) parcels
• Check if you can apply for the UK Carrier Scheme
• Apply for the UK Carrier Scheme
• Moving business-to-business parcels
• Data requirements for parcel carriers
• How to send parcels from a business in Great Britain to Northern Ireland
• How to move parcels from Great Britain to Northern Ireland for parcel carriers

Duties and waivers

• Apply for the Duty Reimbursement Scheme
• Claim a Customs Duty Waiver

Medicines

• Labelling and packaging of medicinal products for human use

Further guidance

• Windsor Framework - local trade advice and support organisations
• Moving goods from Northern Ireland to Great Britain
• How to export goods from Northern Ireland: step-by-step
• How to import goods to Northern Ireland: step-by-step
• Help and support for exporting
  

Latest updates

• Keep up to date with new and recently updated guidance on moving goods into, out of, or through Northern Ireland