The Windsor Framework
This page provides information on how we are implementing the requirements under the Windsor Framework that took effect from 1st May 2025. Here you can see information on the potential impact of the Windsor Framework, actions you may need to take, and Frequently Asked Questions. We want to ensure smooth and compliant transactions between our companies for B2B transactions, so that the shipments we make to you or direct to your customers on your behalf may continue with the minimum impact possible under this framework.
If you are already fully aware of the implications of the Windsor Framework, please sign and submit our Customer Declaration form here.
What is the Windsor Framework?
The Windsor Framework is a post-Brexit agreement between the UK and the EU, announced in February 2023. It introduces new procedures for shipping goods from Great Britain to Northern Ireland and includes the introduction of new Red / Green lanes for customs clearance. It takes effect from 1st May 2025.
The Windsor Framework simplifies the transfer of business to private persons or consumers (B2C) and consumer to business (C2B) parcels from Great Britain to Northern Ireland under the UKC (UK Carrier) Scheme (UKC). Customs declarations are not necessary for businesses in Great Britain that send parcels to private persons in Northern Ireland (B2C) for personal use or for private individuals in Great Britain that send items to businesses in Northern Ireland (C2B).
Action is only required from CMS customers with “B2B” shipments and delivery of parcels from Great Britain to Northern Ireland under UKIMS (UK Internal Market Scheme).
What do Customers need to do?
To determine the Risk status of B2B deliveries and with the intention of making deliveries “Not at Risk” via the “green routelane”, we will require a signed Customer Declaration Form from you by 9am Monday 28th April 2025. Please update that form with the following details:
- Your UKIMS (UK Internal Market Scheme) Number
- Your Northern Ireland or UK EORI Number
- Your CMS Account Number – this will have been shared with you via email from your CMS Account Manager
You can review, electronically sign, and submit the Customer Declaration Form from the following link here.
The Customer Declaration Form mentioned above will confirm that you understand and meet the relevant conditions of the Windsor Framework and that goods ordered from CMS qualify as "Not At Risk." By providing this declaration, you help establish a clear understanding of each party's responsibilities, enable us to pass certain information to our carriers (reducing the risk of delays), and support seamless transaction processing.
The implication of being "At Risk"
Any goods which are "At Risk" will be required to follow the red lane model. As a result, they will be required to comply with full EU customs requirements including customs declarations (and possibly extra duty charges) upon entry into Northern Ireland. In short, being At Risk will results in slower and more expensive deliveries. Please be aware that if you are unable to provide any of the above details by 28th April, any B2B shipments from 1st May 2025 will default to “At Risk” status and deliveries will be made to you via the “red routelane”. Any deliveries made via the “red routelane” will/may incur additional charges for:
- Customs clearance (applied for all deliveries made via the “red routelane”)
- Duty charge (applied only where HMRC deem duty to be payable on a products)
We value our partnership and appreciate your cooperation in this important matter. Ensuring that we align on these requirements will help us both continue delivering a seamless and efficient service.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Red Lane?
A red lane is a term used to describe the level of customs processes required upon import into Northern Ireland. Any goods which enter Northern Ireland from Great Britain which are bound for onward movement into the EU including Ireland, or any goods which are deemed to be "At Risk" of moving into the EU, will enter via the red lane.
What is a Green Lane?
A green lane is a term used to describe a new basis for trusted traders to move their goods while benefiting from providing a simplified data set to move goods. To access the green lane processes, traders must be authorised under the new UK Internal Market Scheme (UKIMS), which will replace the UK Trader Scheme (UTS) from 30 September 2023, and they must have declared that the goods being shipped are “Not At Risk”.
What does declaring goods "At Risk" mean?
Any goods which are "At Risk" will be required to follow the red lane model. As a result, they will be required to comply with full EU customs requirements including customs declarations (and possibly extra duty charges) upon entry into Northern Ireland.
How do I know if my products are “At Risk”?
Goods are deemed to be “At Risk” if they are not for final use in Northern Ireland or could move into the EU, and are not handled by the UK Internal Market Scheme (UKIMS).
However, if you have registered for the UK Internal Market Scheme (UKIMS) and you can demonstrate that your goods are going to stay in Northern Ireland, you can self-certify that your goods are "Not At Risk" and as a result will not be required to pay any customs duty. When declaring goods as being "Not At Risk" it is essential that appropriate evidence is retained to demonstrate to custom’s authorities that the goods were correctly declared "Not At Risk".
Note: UK Internal Market Scheme registration alone does not automatically qualify you to declare every item imported as being "Not At Risk".
What is considered a B2B shipment and therefore default to the Red Lane?
Where a total consignment weight is 31.5kg or heavier these will be considered B2B shipments and therefore require customs clearance and go via the red route.
What is UK Internal Market Scheme?
The UK Internal Market Scheme allows registered traders to declare goods "not at risk" if they are imported into Northern Ireland for sale or final use within Northern Ireland or UK. Goods can use the green lane and avoid full custom checks and possibly extra duty charges.
What happens if I don’t sign the Customer Declaration?
If a declaration is not provided, then deliveries will default to the red lane. This will result in extra charges for customs clearance and possibly duty charges if applicable. It may also result in delays in your delivery as it will be subject to a longer customs clearance process.
Note: Providing us with UK Internal Market Scheme and EORI number alone does not automatically qualify you to declare every item imported as being "Not At Risk".
What happens if I don’t provide a UKIMS?
If your contractual terms are with CMS UK and agreed Incoterms are DDP, CMS UK will use its UKIMS if you cannot provide one. However, if the agreed Incoterms are not DDP, you must provide your UKIMS otherwise deliveries will default to the red lane which will incur extra freight charges for customs clearance and possibly duty if applicable.
If your contractual terms are with CMS Ireland, you must provide your UKIMS regardless of what the agreed Incoterms are otherwise deliveries will default to the red lane which will incur extra freight charges for customs clearance and possibly duty if applicable. These charges will be made from the carrier directly to the recipient – which could cause frustration and confusion for your customers.
Note: CMS Ireland cannot register under UKIMS as it is NOT “established” in the UK and therefore cannot register under UKIMS.
What happens if I don’t provide a EORI?
If your contractual terms are with CMS UK or CMS Ireland and agreed Incoterms are DDP, CMS UK or CMS Ireland will use its EORI if you cannot provide one. However, if your agreed Incoterms are not DDP, you must provide your EORI otherwise your deliveries will not be able to ship at all or they will default to the red lane which will incur extra freight charges for customs clearance and possibly duty if applicable. As above, these charges will be made from the carrier directly to the recipient – which could cause frustration and confusion for your customers.
Who do I contact if I have a query?
Please raise any queries you have directly with your Account Manager, and they will work with our internal finance and logistics teams to address them. This guidance is for general information only. You should conduct your own due diligence to ensure full compliance with the Windsor Framework and relevant regulations.
For further information on the Windsor Framework, you can refer to the following resources:
