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Draconian measures that will significantly increase red tape and delays for goods sent between the UK and Northern Ireland will go ahead on 1 April, after the government failed to extend a grace period.
A meeting of the UK-EU Joint Committee this week ended without agreement on a waiver of customs declarations, paving the way for “severe” consequences for parcel deliveries and supermarket food supplies between NI and mainland Britain.
In a statement following the meeting from the co-chairs of the committee, it said both sides “took stock of the implementation of the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland and of work to find pragmatic solutions.”
It added: “The parties acknowledged the importance of joint action to make the Protocol work for the benefit of everyone in Northern Ireland.”
However, ParcelHero said the failure by the UK government to postpone the end of the grace period was “extremely bad news”.
David Jinks, ParcelHero head of consumer research, said: “If the new regulations are introduced in a month’s time, the impact on Northern Ireland parcel deliveries and supermarket food supplies will be severe.
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“A waiver on customs declarations for parcels sent from Great Britain to Northern Ireland runs out on 31 March. This is followed by certification requirements on supermarket goods being ramped up.
“Parcels sent from Great Britain to Northern Ireland with a value of over £135 will endure the ongoing chaos that has hit UK-EU shipments since the start of the year.
“Customs declarations will be needed for all such parcels, which is frankly ludicrous considering this is a UK domestic shipment.”
Jinks added: “If there’s no proof that goods originated in the UK, there will be significant new tariffs to pay on these items.”
Northern Ireland First Minister Arlene Foster described European officials as “tone deaf” following the meeting.
“I can’t say I had high expectations for it given the attitude of the European Commission to everything that we have said thus far,” she told the BBC.
