NI firms facing more red tape to receive goods worth more than £135 by post

The Royal Mail has drawn attention to a new rule for businesses “importing” goods by post into Northern Ireland from Great Britain.
By Adam Kula
Published 4th Jan 2021, 17:25 BST
Updated 4th Jan 2021, 18:02 BST
The Royal Mail has flagged up the new little-known ruleThe Royal Mail has flagged up the new little-known rule
The Royal Mail has flagged up the new little-known rule

If a business based in Northern Ireland receives good “valued at £135 or more” then they “must submit a declaration within three months of receiving the goods”.

This only applies to packages being sent from businesses in Great Britain, not those being sent by individuals.

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The new rule has received relatively little mention amid Brexit coverage, but it could affect thousands of firms.

When it comes to what businesses are actually supposed to do in terms of paperwork, the government’s official advice page says this: “More details on how you will be able to submit this delayed declaration will be issued shortly.

“In the meantime, you should prepare by registering with the Trader Support Service, registering for an EORI number, and storing an invoice for the goods you received as well as the date that they were received.”

The Royal Mail flagged up the new rule when contacted by the News Letter to ask about the impact of Brexit on its services.

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It also said “there are new requirements on businesses sending prohibited and restricted goods as well as excise goods such as alcohol and tobacco ... we remain in close contact with government on this and will update customers shortly”.

When the News Letter pressed them for what these restrictions are, and what is happening to packages bound for NI which do contain alcohol, there was no reply.

For almost a week, customers have been complaining about being unable to obtain alcohol in NI via Amazon; this prohibition remained in place at time of writing.

Read more on Brexit:

Click here: Major UK retailer Dunelm halts home deliveries to NI sparking Brexit speculation

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Click here: Boris Johnson: Only over my dead body will there be a border in the Irish Sea

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