NI Protocol
Keep your goods moving in and out of Northern Ireland.
NI Protocol
Here is an outline of the processes for moving goods under the Northern Ireland Protocol, with links to guidance to provide further information. The nature of the movement determines the process. Below are sections on different routes, the processes required for each, and links to further guidance.
Guidance on all aspects of goods movements under the Protocol is available on gov.uk
Links for general preparations
- Guidance on EORI numbers for the type of movements being made
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Link to the Trader Support Service, a free-to-use service which will help businesses and traders prepare for changes that will affect business if moving goods in and out of Northern Ireland
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To declare goods not ‘at risk’, authorisation must be sought from the UK Trader Scheme
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The Movement Assistance Scheme provides guidance to help businesses meet new requirements for moving animals, plants and associated products from GB to Northern Ireland. Traders are able to get advice from the MAS helpline about the new requirements for moving goods requiring health certification and/or SPS checks. MAS will also waive and/or cover novel agri-food costs traders incurred as a result of the Northern Ireland Protocol.
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Hauliers wanting to move goods through a port in the UK that uses the Goods Vehicle Movement Service (GVMS) will need to register for the service to get goods through customs.
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For some traders, there may be advantages to moving goods under Common Transit (also referred to as CTC movements, which stands for the Common Transit Convention). Information about how to do that is available here.
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Movements of goods from Ireland to Great Britain, if not done under Common Transit, follow the process for importing goods from the European Union into Great Britain.
- Movements of goods from Great Britain to Ireland, if not done under Common Transit, follow the process for exporting goods from Great Britain into the European Union.
Movement of goods directly from Great Britain to Northern Ireland
The best source for support on moving goods from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is the Trader Support Service. Part of the Trader Support Service is the Northern Ireland Customs and Trade Academy, which has process information on its site. There are additional requirements for certain agri-food commodities. The Movement Assistance Scheme (MAS) can provide guidance on requirements, and will pay certification costs.
Movement of goods directly from Northern Ireland to Great Britain
Northern Ireland businesses enjoy unfettered access to the rest of the UK market. More details are available here.
Moving goods indirectly from Great Britain to Northern Ireland via Ireland
Goods can be moved from Great Britain into Northern Ireland via Ireland under Transit, and the Trader Support Service is able to support movements these
If they are not moved under Transit they follow the same procedures as a standard export to the European Union, even if these goods are subsequently mov into Northern Ireland. Irish import requirements must also be followed. Once goods are in Ireland, they can be moved freely into Northern Ireland with no further paperwork.
Moving goods indirectly from Northern Ireland to Great Britain via Ireland
Goods can be moved from Northern Ireland into Great Britain via Ireland under Transit, and the Trader Support Service is able to support these movements.
If they are not moved under Transit they follow the same process as standard import from the European Union. Irish export requirements, including providing an export declaration must also be followed. There is no requirement for any processes to move goods between Northern Ireland and Ireland.
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