The Windsor Framework

Overview

The Windsor Framework is a bilateralan agreement between the United Kingdom (UK)UK and the European Union (EU)EU that governs themanages trade relationship between Great Britain (GB) and Northern Ireland (NI) followingafter Brexit. This frameworkIt replaces the Northern Ireland Protocol and is designedaims to simplify customs procedures while ensuring that Northern Ireland retains access to the EU Singlesingle Market.

market.

This documentguide outlinesexplains what the implicationsframework ofmeans the Windsor Framework onfor your shipping operations,shipments, the data requiredyou formust include when creating compliant shipment labels, and the necessarynext steps to ensurestay continued compliance.compliant.

---

What Is the Windsor Framework?

The Windsor Frameworkframework introduces new customs and trade regulationsrules thatfor govern the movement ofmoving goods from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.

Key aspects of the frameworkpoints include:

• Simplified Customs Procedures:
  

  The level of customs data required dependsDepending on the trade category:

  lane—whether

  • Business-to-Consumer (B2C),

  • Consumer-to-Consumer (C2C),

    or

  • Business-to-Business (B2B).
    
    —different levels of customs data are required.

• Green and Red Lanes:

  • Green Lane: Goods that are deemeddeclared "“not at risk"risk” ofand entering the EU will beare subject to simplified checks and fewer customs requirements.checks.
  • Red Lane: Goods are considered "at risk"risk of enteringmoving into the EU willand require a full customs declaration, including additional details to ensure compliancedeclaration with EUextra regulations.
    
    details.

• Timelines:
  

  Although

  Initialmany changes were scheduledinitially set to takestart effecton by 30 September 2024,2024, withfinal timelines (including full compliance expected by 31 March 2025.2025) However,are timelinesstill remainbeing subjectconfirmed toby UKthe governmentgovernment. updates.For the latest updates, please check the official HMRC guidance.

PleaseFor refermore todetails on the officialframework HMRCand guidanceits forterminology, visit the latest updates, UK government’s official guidance.guidance on the Windsor Framework.

---

How the Framework Affects Your Shipping Process

When shipping from Great Britain to Northern Ireland, you must now include additional data is required in shipmentyour label requestscreation torequests. ensureThis accurateextra information ensures customs declarations andare correct routing.and Datathat your shipments are routed properly. The data requirements varydiffer between B2C/C2C shipments and B2B shipments.

For B2C and C2C Shipments

• Basic Consignment Data:

  • Sender and recipient names, addresses, and contact details
  • Parcel weight and total consignment value
  • A plain English description of the shipment contents
    
    

• Customs Formalities:
  

  For

  B2C shipments typically require simplershipments, customs data whenrequirements followingare usually simpler if you follow the UK Carrier Scheme guidelines,guidelines providedand theyour goods are not at risk of enteringmoving into the EU.

For B2B Shipments

B2B shipments require more detailed data so that your shipment can be classified as either “green lane” (not at risk) or “red lane” (at risk). In addition to the basic consignment data, you must provide:

• Mandatory Fields:

  • Sale Type: SpecifyIndicate whetherif the shipment is B2Ba business or B2Cconsumer shipment.
  • Number of Pieces and Total Value: ComprehensiveThe overall details of the goods. 
  • Commodity Details:

    • Commodity codes (/ HS codes)codes – (6 or 10 digits, as required.

      required)
    • Descriptions, quantities, unit weights, and unit values
    • Country of manufacture
    • If

      Defermentneeded, sender/recipient deferment account details (if applicable for customs charges).

      
      charges

• UKIMS Number:
  

  • Either the sender’s or recipient’s UKIMSUK Internal Market Scheme (UKIMS) number must be provided. If this number is required.

  • If missing, the shipment defaults to B2C rules and may be considereddeemed at risk.

  
  risk.

• EORI Number:
  

  • The sender’s EORI number is mandatory.

    always
  required.

  • If a recipient’s UKIMS number is provided, theirthe recipient’s EORI number must also be included.

  
  

• Clearance Declaration Details:
  These details differ based on the lane:

  • Green Lane (Not at risk): Only minimal extra data is needed when UKIMS details are included.
  • Red Lane (At risk): RequiresA a full international dataset, (similar to an H1 declaration,declaration) is required, along with additional customs informationinformation. andDuties may be subjectcharged toat the EU duties.rate.

---

Data Fields Required When Creating Shipping Labels

Below is a summary of the key data fields you should include to ensure compliance under the Windsor Framework. Please check the courier requirements table for the couriers that you are using to fully comply with the courier requirements for the Windsor Framework:

To ensure compliance with the Windsor Framework, the following key fields must be included in shipment label data:

Core Data Fields

• Sale Type: Identifies whether the shipment is B2B, B2C, C2C, or C2B.

• Commodity Details (for B2B Shipments):

  • Commodity Code (HS Code).

  • Detailed Description (quantity, unit weight, unit value, country of origin).

  • UKIMS Number (shipper and/or recipient).

  • EORI Numbers (shipper’s EORI required; recipient’s EORI required if UKIMS details are included).

  • Additional Commodity Details (as required by the carrier).

Our documentation will be continuously updated as new regulations emerge, including carrier-specific compliance requirements.

• Sale Type:
  Identifies whether the shipment is B2B, B2C, C2C, or C2B.
  
  

• For B2B Shipments (Customs and Declaration Data):

  • Commodity Code (HS Code)
  • Detailed Description: Including quantity, unit weight, unit value, and country of origin.
  • UKIMS Number: For the shipper, recipient, or both.
  • EORI Numbers: Always include the shipper’s EORI and, if applicable, the recipient’s EORI.
  • Other Commodity Details: As required by your carrier.

Our

---

documentationwillbeupdatedas new information emerges. We will revise the general regulation details as well as the specifics for each carrier affected by the framework.

---

Note	Our documentation will be updated as new information emerges. We will revise the general regulation details as well as the specifics for each carrier affected by the framework.

Courier Requirements

Fields/Courier	RoyalMail	Whistl	RoyalMail ClickAndDrop	Yodel
Supported Sales Types:	B2B / B2C	B2B / B2C	B2B / B2C	B2C
courier.sale_type	Required	Required	Required	N/A
ship_to.ukims_number	Required for B2B shipments unless ship_from.ukims number isn't entered	N/A	Required for B2B shipments unless ship_from.ukims number isn't entered	N/A
ship_from.ukims_number	Required for B2B shipments	N/A	Required for B2B shipments	N/A
ship_to.eori_number	Required for B2B if ship_to.ukims number is entered for B2B	N/A	It is required for B2B if ship_to.ukims number is entered for B2B	N/A
ship_from.eori_number	Required for B2B	N/A	Required for B2B	N/A
item.sku	Required	Required	Required	Required
item.quantity	Required	Required	Required	Required
item.description	Required	Required	Required	Required
item.value	Required	Required	Required	Required
item.currency	Required	Required	Required	Required
item.origin_country	Required	Required	Required	Optional
item.hs_code	Required	Required	Required	Optional
item.weight	Required	Required	Required	Optional
courier.export_reason	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
courier.sender_deferment_account	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Note	Either ship_to UKIMS or ship_from.ukims number is required for B2B shipments	UKIMS and EORI numbers should be configured on Whistl interface	Either ship_to UKIMS or ship_from.ukims number is required for B2B shipments

Fields/Courier	Evri Corporate	Hermes Corporate	DPD UK	DPD Local	DPD Ireland
Supported Sales Types:	B2C / C2C / C2B	B2C / C2C / C2B	B2B, B2C, C2C	B2B, B2C, C2C	B2B, B2C, C2C
courier.sale_type	N/A	N/A	Required	Required	Required
ship_to.ukims_number	N/A	N/A	Required for B2B shipments unless ship_from.ukims number isn't entered	Required for B2B shipments unless ship_from.ukims number isn't entered	Required for B2B shipments unless ship_from.ukims number isn't entered
ship_from.ukims_number	N/A	N/A	Required for B2B shipments if not at-risk goods	Required for B2B shipments if not at-risk goods	Required for B2B shipments if not at-risk goods
ship_from.vat_number	N/A	N/A	Required for B2B At Risk Goods	Required for B2B At Risk Goods	Required for B2B At Risk Goods
ship_to.vat_number	N/A	N/A	Required for B2B At Risk Goods if ship_from.vat_number not entered	Required for B2B At Risk Goods if ship_from.vat_number not entered	Required for B2B At Risk Goods if ship_from.vat_number not entered
ship_to.eori_number	N/A	N/A	Required for B2B if ship_to.ukims number is entered for B2B	Required for B2B if ship_to.ukims number is entered for B2B	Required for B2B if ship_to.ukims number is entered for B2B
ship_from.eori_number	N/A	N/A	Required for B2B	Required for B2B	Required for B2B
item.sku	Required	Required	Required	Required	Required
item.quantity	Required	Required	Required	Required	Required
item.description	Required	Required	Required	Required	Required
item.value	Required	Required	Required	Required	Required
item.currency	Required	Required	Required	Required	Required
item.origin_country	Required	Required	Optional for B2C&C2C but Required for B2B	Optional for B2C&C2C but Required for B2B	Optional for B2C&C2C but Required for B2B
item.hs_code	Required	Required	Optional for B2C&C2C but Required for B2B	Optional for B2C&C2C but Required for B2B	Optional for B2C&C2C but Required for B2B
item.weight	Required	Required	Required	Required	Required
courier.at_risk	N/A	N/A	Required	Required	Required
courier.export_reason	N/A	N/A	N/A		TBD
courier.sender_deferment_account	N/A	N/A	N/A		TBD
Note					TBD

Fields/Courier	RoyalMailIntersoft	ProCarrier	Hermes	DHLParcelUKCloud
Supported Sales Types:	B2B / B2C	TBD	B2C / C2C / C2B	B2C / B2B / C2C / C2B
courier.sale_type	Required	TBD	N/A	Required
ship_to.ukims_number	Required for B2B shipments unless ship_from.ukims number isn't entered	TBD	N/A	Required for C2B. Required for B2B if ship_from.ukims is not entered
ship_from.ukims_number	Required for B2B shipments	TBD	N/A	Required for B2B
ship_to.eori_number	Required for B2B if ship_to.ukims number is entered for B2B	TBD	N/A	Required for C2B. Required if ship_to.ukims is entered
ship_from.eori_number	Required for B2B	TBD	N/A	Required for B2B
item.sku	Required	TBD	Required	Required
item.quantity	Required	TBD	Required	Required
item.description	Required	TBD	Required	Required
item.value	Required	TBD	Required	Required
item.currency	Required	TBD	Required	Required
item.origin_country	Required	TBD	Required	Optional
item.hs_code	Required	TBD	Optional	Optional
item.weight	Required	TBD	Required	Required
courier.export_reason	N/A	TBD	N/A	Required for B2B
courier.sender_deferment_account	N/A	TBD	N/A	Required for B2B
Note	Either ship_to UKIMS or ship_from.ukims number is required for B2B shipments	TBD	B2B isn't supported by Evri so there is no need for UKIMS and EORI Number

Fields/Courier	DHLParcelUK	SecuredMail	Fedex	DPDC2C
Supported Sales Types:	B2C / B2B / C2C / C2B	B2B / B2C / C2B	TBD	TBD
courier.sale_type	Required	Required	TBD	TBD
ship_to.ukims_number	Required for C2B. Required for B2B if ship_from.ukims is not entered	Required for B2B shipments unless ship_from.ukims number isn't entered or Required for C2B shipments	TBD	TBD
ship_from.ukims_number	Required for B2B	Required for B2B shipments	TBD	TBD
ship_to.eori_number	Required for C2B. Required if ship_to.ukims is entered	Not Required	TBD	TBD
ship_from.eori_number	Required for B2B	Not Required	TBD	TBD
item.sku	Required	Required	TBD	TBD
item.quantity	Required	Required	TBD	TBD
item.description	Required	Required	TBD	TBD
item.value	Required	Required	TBD	TBD
item.currency	Required	Required	TBD	TBD
item.origin_country	Optional	Required	TBD	TBD
item.hs_code	Required	Required	TBD	TBD
item.weight	Required	Required	TBD	TBD
parcel.dim_width	Not Required	Required	TBD	TBD
dim_height	Not Required	Required	TBD	TBD
dim_length	Not Required	Required	TBD	TBD
dim_unit	Not Required	Required	TBD	TBD
courier.export_reason	Required for B2B	Required	TBD	TBD
courier.sender_deferment_account	Required for B2B	N/A	TBD	TBD
Note			TBD	TBD

Fields/Courier	Huxloe	DGInternational	CollectPlus	PPI
Supported Sales Types:	TBD	TBD	TBD	TBD
courier.sale_type	TBD	TBD	TBD	TBD
ship_to.ukims_number	TBD	TBD	TBD	TBD
ship_from.ukims_number	TBD	TBD	TBD	TBD
ship_to.eori_number	TBD	TBD	TBD	TBD
ship_from.eori_number	TBD	TBD	TBD	TBD
item.sku	TBD	TBD	TBD	TBD
item.quantity	TBD	TBD	TBD	TBD
item.description	TBD	TBD	TBD	TBD
item.value	TBD	TBD	TBD	TBD
item.currency	TBD	TBD	TBD	TBD
item.origin_country	TBD	TBD	TBD	TBD
item.hs_code	TBD	TBD	TBD	TBD
item.weight	TBD	TBD	TBD	TBD
courier.export_reason	TBD	TBD	TBD	TBD
courier.sender_deferment_account	TBD	TBD	TBD	TBD
Note	TBD	TBD	TBD	TBD

Fields/Courier	Starlinks	UPS	ArrowXL	ParcelHub
Supported Sales Types:	TBD	TBD	TBD	TBD
courier.sale_type	TBD	TBD	TBD	TBD
ship_to.ukims_number	TBD	TBD	TBD	TBD
ship_from.ukims_number	TBD	TBD	TBD	TBD
ship_to.eori_number	TBD	TBD	TBD	TBD
ship_from.eori_number	TBD	TBD	TBD	TBD
item.sku	TBD	TBD	TBD	TBD
item.quantity	TBD	TBD	TBD	TBD
item.description	TBD	TBD	TBD	TBD
item.value	TBD	TBD	TBD	TBD
item.currency	TBD	TBD	TBD	TBD
item.origin_country	TBD	TBD	TBD	TBD
item.hs_code	TBD	TBD	TBD	TBD
item.weight	TBD	TBD	TBD	TBD
courier.export_reason	TBD	TBD	TBD	TBD
courier.sender_deferment_account	TBD	TBD	TBD	TBD
Note	TBD	TBD	TBD	TBD

Fields/Courier	DxExpress
Supported Sales Types:	TBD
courier.sale_type	TBD
ship_to.ukims_number	TBD
ship_from.ukims_number	TBD
ship_to.eori_number	TBD
ship_from.eori_number	TBD
item.sku	TBD
item.quantity	TBD
item.description	TBD
item.value	TBD
item.currency	TBD
item.origin_country	TBD
item.hs_code	TBD
item.weight	TBD
courier.export_reason	TBD
courier.sender_deferment_account	TBD
Note	TBD