In this week’s post EU exit corner, we bring you the latest guidance updates and publications relevant in the post EU exit environment. The most recent Trader Support Service bulletin is also available as is the latest Brexit and Beyond newsletter from the Northern Ireland Assembly EU Affairs team. HMRC has also announced that the parcels and freights changes under the Windsor Framework which were originally due to commence from 30 September 2024 and which were then delayed to 31 March 2025 have now been further delayed and will commence from 1 May 2025.
HMRC’s announcement last week was as follows:
‘Following the guidance issued in September 2024, there has been extensive preparatory work undertaken for the new arrangements for the movement of goods from Great Britain to Northern Ireland by parcels or freight set out in the Windsor Framework.
As a result, and subject to the relevant procedures, the new arrangements as set out in the Windsor Framework are planned to take effect from 1 May 2025.’
The Institute has been discussing these changes with HMRC via the NI Joint Customs Consultative Committee and was concerned at the low level of awareness among businesses. Minutes from the most recent meeting are available here and here (note that all references to 31 March 2025 in these documents should now be taken to be 1 May 2025).
We are pleased to see that a further month is being provided to assist businesses in their preparations given the low levels of awareness of the changes for many businesses. It is therefore imperative that businesses take action now to consider the specific impact of these changes on their supply chain and plan accordingly for a commencement date of 1 May 2025 as we do not expect any further delay will be announced.
The following guidance has therefore been updated accordingly:
Miscellaneous guidance updates and publications