New GB/NI parcel movement rules delayed until May

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) confirmed this week that there would be an additional delay to the new arrangements for parcels and freight moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.

The next phase is now scheduled to take effect from 1 May.

However, both Logistics UK and the RHA said the extra time must be used wisely.

Nichola Mallon, head of trade and devolved policy at business group Logistics UK, said: “Many businesses will be frustrated by this delay given the extensive work, resources, time and effort they have put in getting their supply chains ready for 31 March.

“For good to come from this delay, HMRC must use every minute to raise awareness and support all of those businesses which aren’t yet ready.

“Ever since the initial delay was announced in the autumn, we have been calling for a wide-ranging awareness programme, and while communication has improved of late there are still low levels of understanding, especially among GB businesses.

“With the rise in e-commerce, almost every household and business in NI relies, one way or another, on parcels, so it is essential that businesses are supported to adapt to these significant changes to ensure the smooth flow of trade.”

The RHA said it wanted HMRC to resolve operational issues with the trader support service and although the delay was welcome, there was still work to do:

“We are urging ministers to move towards addressing the much broader issues of managing the potential divergence that’s likely to develop over time,” said MD Richard Smith.

“Without concentrated and coordinated focus and action by both the UK government and the EU, there’s a real danger that the cumulative burden of the Windsor Framework and further divergence between the UK and the EU will leave consumers and businesses operating in Northern Ireland paying the price.”