Dec 14th, 2020
4 mins
Defra have advised that to enable POAO to be delivered into Northern Ireland (NI) from 1st January 2021, members will need to be registered with the UK Trader Scheme (UKTS). Detail of how to apply can be found here.
This is designed to prove that goods sent to NI will be consumed in the province and are not at risk of being delivered into the Republic of Ireland (ROI).
Manufacturers will also require an NI address, if they want to benefit from the scheme, unless going through one of the recognised retailers. This may change as this is causing a problem.
If products are destined for delivery to a manufacturer in NI, you will need to prove to HMRC that the products will remain in NI and GB.
Also, the products will require a full export declaration from 1st January 2021 with an EHC if they are POAO. The cost of this will be met by the UK Government through the Movement Assistance Scheme
Defra are also working on a list of retailers and their direct suppliers who will be covered by the agreed relaxation for 3 months of the need for a full export declaration. You can find more information here including a link to an ‘authorised traders form’ to allow you to register. As yet we do not know exactly what paperwork is required but we have been promised this in the next day or so.
We still require clarity on how labelling will be dealt with especially around Health Marks – there is an indication there will be a light touch approach but as yet this has not been confirmed formally.
Also last week we advised that the shipment of good destined for NI though Dublin is now agreed in principle. However, we are hearing issues that this may not be as straight forward as first advise. We will investigate further and will update members.
