The Government has published a Command Paper setting out details of an agreement in principle on the implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol between the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Michael Gove, and the EU Commission Vice President Maroš Šefčovič. The agreement in principle draws on months of UK Government engagement with businesses and technical engagement with the EU and the Northern Ireland Executive.
The paper outlines how this meets the Government’s three key commitments to the people of Northern Ireland as the Protocol takes effect:
- Unfettered access guaranteed for Northern Ireland businesses to the rest of the UK market – with no export declarations required as goods move from Northern Ireland to Great Britain.
- Northern Ireland’s place in the UK customs territory secured – with a new UK Trader Scheme to ensure there are no new tariffs for businesses and consumers on internal UK trade, and the means to maintain the UK’s VAT area.
- Smooth flow of trade from Great Britain to Northern Ireland maintained – with critical flexibilities to maintain the flow of food supplies and medicines, and avoid the need for any new physical customs infrastructure.
A key note within the Command Paper is point 45:
“The movement of parcels into Northern Ireland is another important part of how the Protocol will work in practice for people in Northern Ireland. That is why the UK Government will take forward a pragmatic approach that draws upon available flexibilities to implement the Protocol without causing undue disruption to lives and livelihoods. HMRC is engaging with operators to finalise arrangements”
AICES is taking part in these discussions and will brief you as soon as possible on requirements for shipments GB-NI.
You can find the Command Paper here: