Parcelforce Worldwide 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 from 1 May 2025. We would encourage customers to familiarise themselves with the requirements. The Windsor Framework does not affect goods movements from Northern Ireland to Great Britain or from Northern Ireland to Northern Ireland.

Updated guidanceOpens in new window

While we will provide further information on the detailed timeline for the coming into effect of the new arrangements in due course, businesses should be fully prepared for them by 1 May 2025.

  • The Windsor Framework will come into effect from 1 May 2025. The regulations for sending goods from Great Britain to Northern Ireland 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).

Latest updates

Changes to our Products and Services

  • Please find below the following impacts for goods movements from Great Britain to Northern Ireland:

    • ExpressLink, the latest version (WSDL14) must be adopted,
    • Initially, WDMO Batch Processing and Auto Import will not be available,
    • Initially, WDMO Exchange Shipments will not be available,
    • Initially, Convenient Collect for both WDMO and ExpressLink will not be available,
    • Purchases in person at a Parcelforce Worldwide Depot will not be available,
    • Purchases via telephone to Customer Experience will not be available.

    All Prohibited and Restricted goods movements will need to comply with Parcelforce Worldwide’s lists, available within the following link, and you and the recipient will need to meet the relevant data requirements for this traffic type.

    Our Terms and Conditions can be found here.

UK Internal Market Scheme (UKIMS)

  • All Parcelforce Worldwide business to business (B2B) services from Great Britain to Northern Ireland remain unchanged, and we will move goods categorised either as ‘not at risk’ or ‘at risk’. We recommend business customers familiarise themselves with the requirements around this. Movements categorised as ‘not at risk’ may include (but not be limited to):

    • movements made under a valid UKIMS registration,
    • goods value up to and including £135, and
    • goods which are 0% duty rated.

    All Prohibited and Restricted goods movements will need to comply with our Prohibited and Restricted lists and you and the recipient will need to meet the relevant data requirements for this traffic type.

    For 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.

    UKIMS authorisation pageOpens in new window

Business Customers - Different Types of Goods Movements

  • The Windsor Framework requires that additional data is provided to send goods from Great Britain to Northern Ireland; the data required depends on the type of parcel movement. Our shipping solutions will mandate these data fields when you are sending goods from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.

    Movement Type Definition Additional data to be provided by the customer
    Movement TypeBusiness to Consumer
    (B2C)    		 DefinitionParcels sent by a business in Great Britain to a private individual residing in Northern Ireland for personal use. Additional data to be provided by the customerGoods description, weight, value, quantity, country of origin, goods categorisation (optional) for each item, and purpose of shipment.
    Movement TypeConsumer to Business
    (C2B)    		 DefinitionParcels sent by a private individual in Great Britain to a business in Northern Ireland (for example, a customer returning an item to a shop). Additional data to be provided by the customerGoods description, weight, value, quantity, country of origin, goods categorisation (optional) for each item, and purpose of shipment (e.g. returned goods where appropriate).
    Movement TypeBusiness to Business
    (B2B, UKIMS)    		 DefinitionParcels sent by a business in Great Britain to a business in Northern Ireland. Additional data to be provided by the customerGoods description, weight, value, quantity, country of origin, goods categorisation (optional) for each item, and purpose of shipment, exporter / sender details (inc. EORI), importer / receiver details (inc. EORI), UKIMS number.
    Movement TypeBusiness to Business
    (B2B, Non-UKIMS)    		 DefinitionParcels sent by a business in Great Britain to a business in Northern Ireland. Additional data to be provided by the customerAs per B2B above, with a mandatory goods categorisation.

    The above data is indicative and subject to change in line with government guidance.

    For B2B movements categorised as ‘not at risk’, where UKIMS registration is not presented with the parcel data, the sending customer may be liable for delays, customs charges or the item returned to the sender.

Consumers - Different Types of Goods Movements

  • All new data required for the Windsor Framework will be captured within the usual booking journey.

    The new data required is shown below.

    Movement Type Definition Additional data to be provided by the customer
    Movement TypeConsumer to Consumer
    (C2C)    		 DefinitionParcels sent by a private individual in Great Britain to a private individual residing in Northern Ireland for personal use. Additional data to be provided by the customerGoods description, weight, value, quantity, country of origin for each item, and purpose of shipment.
    Movement TypeConsumer to Business
    (C2B)    		 DefinitionParcels sent by a private individual in Great Britain to a business in Northern Ireland (for example, a customer returning an item to a shop). Additional data to be provided by the customerGoods description, weight, value, quantity, country of origin, goods categorisation (optional) for each item, and purpose of shipment (e.g. returned goods where appropriate).

    The above data is indicative and subject to change in line with government guidance.

    Please note the following changes for goods movements from Great Britain to Northern Ireland which will come into effect from 1 May 2025:

    • Purchases in person at a Parcelforce Worldwide Depot will not be available,
    • Purchases via telephone to Customer Experience will not be available.
       

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