UKIMS Numbers for Windsor Framework

This section explains UKIMS numbers and UK Government guidelines "at risk" and "not at risk" goods.

Amendment to Go Live Date for UK Windsor Framework

On 19th September 2024, the UK Government confirmed that the new arrangements under the Windsor Framework for parcels and freight movements that were planned to come into effect from 30th September 2024 will be deferred until 31st March 2025. See Sending parcels to and from Northern Ireland for the full statement.

Metapack is currently assessing the implications of this change in conjunction with the carriers, to understand how this changes our short-term planning. Some carriers may still decide to implement the changes they prepared on/prior to 30th September 2024, the results of which may also require Metapack to deploy any complementary changes.

Additionally, please note that carriers may take this opportunity to redesign elements of their Windsor Framework solution which may in turn generate new requirements for Metapack and our Customers. Metapack shall issue revised guidance as/when this is confirmed.

Our goal now is to ensure that both Metapack and our Customers can effectively plan and deliver the changes required for the Windsor Framework data regulations in advance of the new deadline.

What is a UKIMS number?

The UK Internal Market Scheme (UKIMS) number allows shippers, and recipients, to declare goods as being “not at risk” if they are shipped from GB to NI for sale or final use by end consumers in NI.

UK Government Guidelines for “Not at Risk” Goods

The UK government guidelines advise that “not at risk” goods will:

  • not be charged duty if entering Northern Ireland (NI) from free circulation in Great Britain (GB)

  • be charged UK duty if entering NI from outside the EU and the UK

  • be charged UK duty if entering NI from GB and the goods were not in free circulation in GB.

‘At risk’ goods will be charged the applicable EU rate of duty.

For more information on applying for authorisation for the UK internal market scheme, please refer to:

UK.Gov Guidance Apply for authorisation for the UK Internal Market Scheme if you bring goods into Northern Ireland

ShipStation recommends that you always provide at least one UKIMS number (and corresponding EORI number) for B2B shipments. We also recommended that you provide the EORI number for each UKIMS number (shipper/recipient) provided.

See ShipStation's guidance on Tax Identification Numbers.

ShipStation will not validate that UKIMS / EORI numbers have been provided unless the carrier instructs us to do so. Carriers that ShipStation integrates with via API may apply data validation. This validation is outside ShipStation’s control.