Windsor Framework: Sending Parcels to Northern Ireland

What is the Windsor Framework?

The Windsor Framework sets out the arrangements for moving goods between Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) and Northern Ireland. For parcels, it changes the information you need to provide when you send goods, so items can move smoothly and clear any checks. The parcel arrangements have applied since 1 May 2025.

Sending letters and correspondence to Northern Ireland

Correspondence sent from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is exempt from the new requirements. This includes letters, postcards and printed matter, so you can frank and send these as normal from your franking machine.

Sending goods in parcels to Northern Ireland

If your parcel contains goods, you now need to provide additional information. What is required depends on the type of movement and who is sending to whom:

• Business to consumer – a Great Britain business sending to a private individual in Northern Ireland.
• Consumer to consumer – a private individual sending to another private individual.
• Consumer to business, and business to business.

Whatever the movement, the goods must be described clearly and accurately. Vague descriptions such as “gifts”, “parts” or “samples” are no longer accepted and can lead to parcels being delayed or rejected. Businesses sending goods that stay in Northern Ireland may also need to be signed up to the UK Internal Market Scheme (UKIMS) to use the simplified green lane route.

Sanitary, phytosanitary and excise goods

Some goods have extra rules. Sanitary and phytosanitary goods, such as certain food and plant products, can have additional requirements, and excise goods such as alcohol and tobacco may have excise duty to account for. Check the government guidance before sending these.

Sending parcels from Northern Ireland to Great Britain

Qualifying Northern Ireland goods continue to have unfettered access to Great Britain and can be sent as normal, with no new requirements. A small number of non-qualifying goods may need additional customs steps.

What this means for Mailcoms franking customers

Letters and correspondence to Northern Ireland are unaffected and can be franked as usual. For parcels containing goods, you will need to supply the required data through your carrier or account portal, in the same way as other data-led services. If you are an existing Mailcoms customer and are unsure which option applies to you, please contact us and we will point you in the right direction.

Key dates

• 1 May 2025 – the Windsor Framework parcel arrangements came into force.
• From 1 July 2026 – EU duty may apply to business to business movements from Great Britain to Northern Ireland that are classed as at risk, regardless of the item value.

Official guidance

For the full and most up to date rules, always check the official sources:

• GOV.UK – Sending parcels between Great Britain and Northern Ireland
• Royal Mail – The Windsor Framework
• Parcelforce Worldwide – The Windsor Framework

Windsor Framework – Frequently Asked Questions