The Windsor Framework

The Windsor Framework is an agreement between the UK and the EU designed to manage trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland following Brexit. It replaces the previous Northern Ireland Protocol and aims to simplify customs procedures while ensuring that Northern Ireland continues to access the EU single market. This guide explains what the framework means for your shipments, the data you need to include when creating labels, and the next steps to ensure compliance.

Last updated 3 months ago

What Is the Windsor Framework?

The Windsor Framework sets out the new customs and trade rules for moving goods from Great Britain to Northern Ireland. Key points include:

Simplified Customs Procedures: Depending on the trade 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: Shipments are classified as either “green lane” (goods deemed not at risk and subject to simplified checks) or “red lane” (goods considered at risk of moving into the EU that require a full customs declaration).
Timelines: While many changes were originally set to take effect on 30 September 2024, final details and timelines (such as full compliance by 31 March 2025) are being confirmed by the government. For the latest updates, please refer to the official HMRC guidance.

For more details on the framework and terminology, visit the UK government’s official 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 in your label creation requests. This extra information ensures that customs declarations are accurate and that your shipments are routed correctly. The required data vary depending on whether you are shipping as a B2C/C2C customer or as a B2B customer.

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
No Customs Formalities:
- Generally, for B2C shipments the customs requirements are less detailed if you comply with UK Carrier Scheme guidelines and are not at risk of goods moving into the EU.

For B2B Shipments

B2B shipments require more detailed data to determine whether your shipment qualifies for the simplified “green lane” or falls into the “red lane” category, which is subject to additional customs checks and duties.

Mandatory Fields Include:
- UKIMS Number: Either the sender’s or recipient’s UK Internal Market Scheme (UKIMS) number must be provided. If omitted, the shipment defaults to B2C rules and may be at risk.
- EORI Number: The sender’s EORI number is always required. If a recipient’s UKIMS number is provided, then the recipient’s EORI becomes mandatory.
- Clearance Declaration Details:
  - Shipment sale type (e.g., business or consumer shipment)
  - Number of pieces and total value of goods
  - Commodity codes, HS codes (6 or 10 digit, depending on the trade lane), descriptions, quantities, unit weights, and unit values
  - Country of manufacture and, if applicable, sender/recipient deferment account details for customs charges
Green vs. Red Lane Criteria:
- Green Lane (Not at risk): Minimal additional data is required if the shipment includes the UKIMS details for either party.
- Red Lane (At risk): A full international dataset (similar to an H1 declaration) is needed, along with extra customs information, and duties may be charged at the EU rate.

Data Fields Required When Creating Shipping Labels

To help you ensure compliance when creating labels, here is a summary of the most common data fields required under the Windsor Framework:

Sale Type: This identifies the type of the shipment whether it is B2B,B2C,C2C,C2B
Customs and Declaration Data (B2B Shipments):
- UKIMS Number: For either the shipper or recipient (or both)
- EORI Numbers: Always provide the shipper’s EORI; include the recipient’s EORI if a UKIMS number is used
- Commodity Details:
  - Commodity code (HS Code)
  - Detailed description, quantity, unit weight, unit value, and country of origin

Next Steps for Compliance

Review Your API/Integration Specifications:

Ensure that all required fields are correctly implemented to create label requests for the couriers that you are working with.

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	Required
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	EvriCorporate	Hermes Corporate	DPD UK	ProCarrier
Supported Sales Types:	B2C / C2C / C2B	B2C / C2C / C2B	B2B, B2C, C2C	TBD
courier.sale_type	Required	Required	Required	Required
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	B2B isn't supported by Evri so there is no need for UKIMS and EORI Number	B2B isn't supported by Evri so there is no need for UKIMS and EORI Number	TBD

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

Next Steps & Support

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