This article provides information on the Windsor Framework and will be updated with new sections as additional details become available from carriers or government announcements.
UKIMS number field available in Ship
(Information added on September 25)
The UKIMS number field will be available on all address types in Ship by October 3, 2024.
Read more in this article: Sending UKIMS information to carriers
Update on Windsor Framework implementation for Parcels and Freight Movements
(information added on September 24, 2024)
On 19th September 2024, the UK Government announced that the new regulations under the Windsor Framework, originally set to take effect on 30th September 2024, will be postponed until 31st March 2025.
For the full announcement, visit https://www.gov.uk/guidance/sending-parcels-between-great-britain-and-northern-ireland.
While the implementation has been postponed, some carriers may still proceed with the changes they had prepared for 30th September 2024. If this occurs, it may require nShift to implement any necessary adjustments accordingly.
Our priority remains ensuring that our customers are fully prepared to comply with the Windsor Framework data regulations ahead of the new deadline.
Information about the Windsor Framework
(Published on August 26, 2024)
Some carriers have not yet shared with nShift how the Windsor Framework will impact their services. As a result, we may yet have some changes to notify you of, and in some cases, changes may not be implemented in time if we are not informed promptly by the carriers.
The Windsor Framework only affects parcels being sent from Great Britain to Northern Ireland and only when the receiver postcode begins with BT.
There are two types of parcel movements: Business to Business (B2B) and Business to Consumer (B2C). The shipper is responsible for determining the appropriate category. B2B shipments destined for Northern Ireland will follow the processes in place from September 30th, 2024.
To ship goods that are not considered “at risk” of entering the EU from within the UK internal market system (i.e. via Northern Ireland), either you (as the sending business) or your client (the receiving business) must be authorised under the new UK Internal Market Scheme (UKIMS). This scheme will verify whether you meet the criteria for moving goods under this scheme. You will need to provide us with your UKIMS registration number for each shipment to Northern Ireland.
You do need to be EORI registered to apply for UKIMS, and applications are now open.
Once you have a UKIMS number, after September 30th, 2024, it must be provided for each B2B shipment to Northern Ireland. You will no longer need to supply commodity codes though they may still be helpful, but you will be required to provide the sender's EORI and UKIMS, as well as the receiver's EORI and UKIMS (if available). Additionally, you must include the value of the goods and a description of the items (e.g. "shampoo" or "book", not generic terms such as “samples”).
Under the Windsor Framework, the process for sending parcels from Great Britain (England, Scotland, and Wales) to Northern Ireland will depend on whether they are sent to or from a private individual or a business. Private individuals in Northern Ireland will be able to receive parcels sent by direct transport from friends, family, or businesses in Great Britain without any changes. There will be no customs declarations, tariffs, or presentation of goods to customs authorities when parcels are sent from another part of the UK to a private individual residing in Northern Ireland for personal use. However, carriers will be required to submit data on the parcel movements to HMRC.
Further information can be found here.
Supported carriers
(information added on April 24, 2025)
Below is a list of the carriers who have reacted to our enquiries regarding updating their integration to support the Windsor framework:
- DPD UK (331)
- DHL Parcel UK (388)
- Parcelforce UK (376)
- Amazon INTL (915)
- Whistl UK (485)
- Royal Mail (642)
- DX API GB (937)
- FedEx INTL (139) (not completed)