The Windsor Framework

Overview

The Windsor Framework is ana bilateral agreement between the UKUnited Kingdom (UK) and the EUEuropean Union (EU) that managesgoverns the trade relationship between Great Britain (GB) and Northern Ireland after(NI) following Brexit. ItThis framework replaces the Northern Ireland Protocol and aimsis designed to simplify customs procedures while ensuring that Northern Ireland retains access to the EU singleSingle market.Market.

This guidedocument explains whatoutlines the frameworkimplications meansof forthe Windsor Framework on your shipments,shipping operations, the data yourequired must include whenfor creating compliant shipment labels, and the nextnecessary steps to stayensure compliant.continued compliance.

---

What Is the Windsor Framework?

The frameworkWindsor Framework introduces new customs and trade rulesregulations forthat movinggovern the movement of goods from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.

Key pointsaspects of the framework include:

• Simplified Customs Procedures:
  Depending

  The level of customs data required depends on the trade lane—whethercategory:

  • 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 Goodsthat are declareddeemed “"not at risk”risk" andof areentering the EU will be subject to simplified checks.checks and fewer customs requirements.
  • Red Lane: Goods are considered "at riskrisk" of moving intoentering the EU andwill require a full customs declarationdeclaration, including additional details to ensure compliance with extraEU details.regulations.
    
    

• Timelines:
  Although

  many

  Initial changes were initially setscheduled to starttake oneffect by 30 September 2024,2024, final timelines (includingwith full compliance expected by 31 March 2025)2025. areHowever, stilltimelines beingremain confirmedsubject byto UK government updates.

Please refer to the government.official ForHMRC guidance for the latest updates, please check the official HMRC guidance.

For more details on the framework and its terminology, visit the UK government’s official guidanceguidance. 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 yourshipment label creationrequests requests.to Thisensure extra information ensuresaccurate customs declarations areand correct androuting. that your shipments are routed properly. The dataData requirements differvary 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,shipments typically require simpler customs data requirementswhen are usually simpler if you follow thefollowing UK Carrier Scheme guidelinesguidelines, andprovided yourthe goods are not at risk of moving intoentering 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: Specify Indicate ifwhether the shipment is a businessB2B or consumer shipment.B2C
  • Number of Pieces and Total Value:  The overallComprehensive details of the goods. 
  • Commodity Details:

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

    • Descriptions, quantities, unit weights, and unit values
    • Country of manufacture
    • If needed, sender/recipient deferment

      Deferment account details (if applicable for customs chargescharges).

      
      

• UKIMS Number:
  

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

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

  
  

• EORI Number:
  

  • The sender’s EORI number is alwaysmandatory.

    required.

  • If a recipient’s UKIMS number is provided, thetheir 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): ARequires a full international dataset, (similar to an H1 declaration) is required,declaration, along with additional customs information.information Dutiesand may be chargedsubject at theto EU rate.duties.

---

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 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.

---

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