The UK government has announced a delay in implementing key aspects of the Windsor Framework, pushing the start date for new customs arrangements to March 31, 2025. Originally set to take effect from September 30, 2024, the updated timeline is intended to give businesses more time to prepare for the changes, following disruptions caused by the General Election and the busy Christmas period.
The Windsor Framework, agreed earlier this year, replaces parts of the Northern Ireland Protocol, which was established after Brexit to address the movement of goods between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.
New timeline for implementation
In a statement issued by HMRC, the government explained that several factors, including recent political events, have impacted preparations for the Windsor Framework. The announcement acknowledged that businesses, particularly those involved in cross-border trade, need more time to adapt to the necessary changes in their systems.
The revised target of March 2025 is designed to provide additional breathing room for traders to adjust, especially as many will be focused on peak trading during the Christmas period. The government will continue to work closely with businesses in the coming months, offering support through a series of webinars and the Trader Support Service (TSS), which will remain available throughout 2025.
What does the Windsor Framework do?
The Windsor Framework modifies how goods move between Great Britain and Northern Ireland post-Brexit, particularly regarding customs checks. Under the framework, goods staying within Northern Ireland will face reduced checks, while those destined for the Republic of Ireland and the wider EU market will still be subject to full EU customs rules.
For businesses, this means new procedures for shipping both parcels and freight across the Irish Sea. The framework is designed to ease the burden of regulatory checks, especially for goods that are only intended for Northern Ireland and not the wider EU.
Logistics UK: September 30 deadline was “practically impossible”
Logistics UK welcomed the delay in implementation. Nichola Mallon, Head of Trade at the organisation, expressed relief, stating that the original September 30 deadline was “practically impossible” for logistics businesses to meet.
“The movement of parcels and implementation of customs systems for goods moving to and from Northern Ireland is a complex issue,” Mallon explained.
She stressed that the General Election and pre-election period had affected the government’s ability to communicate effectively with the industry, making the delay a necessary and welcome step.
However, Mallon emphasised the need for improved communication going forward.
“For this delay to be productive, we need to see a step change in the government’s communication with, and support to, traders and hauliers moving goods from GB to Northern Ireland,2 she added, underlining the industry’s desire for more timely guidance and assistance as the new March 2025 deadline approaches.