Sending parcels to Northern Ireland depends on who is sending and who receives. Personal parcels between individuals need no customs declaration. Businesses sending to consumers need a carrier in the UK Carrier Scheme. Business-to-business goods need UK Internal Market Scheme authorisation or a customs declaration. First Choice Transportation Ltd explains each route.
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Since the Windsor Framework arrangements came into force on 1 May 2025, there are two consumer routes, and they are treated differently:
Letters and documents are exempt from all of this: correspondence from Great Britain to Northern Ireland has no requirements.
Sending goods to Northern Ireland from one business to another is where the paperwork comes in. There are two routes:
| Route | When it applies | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Simplified (UK Internal Market Scheme) | The importer is UKIMS-authorised, and the goods are for sale or final use by end consumers in the UK | Internal Market Movement Information only, a smaller dataset than a declaration. No customs duty. |
| Full customs process | Nobody in the movement is UKIMS-authorised, or the goods do not meet the criteria | A full customs declaration. Customs duty may be charged, with waiver or reimbursement schemes in some cases. |
Excise goods, such as alcohol and tobacco, always need excise duty accounted for, and food, plants and animal products may have extra sanitary and phytosanitary requirements. Businesses can use the free Trader Support Service, a customs agent, or a courier that completes the information for them.
An EORI number (Economic Operators Registration and Identification) identifies a business to customs. GOV.UK says you need one if you move goods from Great Britain into Northern Ireland as a business.
For the UK Internal Market Scheme, a business established in Northern Ireland must apply using an XI EORI. A business established elsewhere in the UK can use a GB or an XI number, and should use XI if it has one. Private individuals sending personal parcels do not need an EORI at all.
For GB EORI numbers and what a commercial invoice must include for EU deliveries, see our guide to commercial invoices and EORI numbers.
The UK Internal Market Scheme (UKIMS) lets an authorised business move goods into Northern Ireland as “not at risk” of entering the EU, when they are for sale or final use by end consumers in the UK. Those goods use the simplified movement information and are not charged duty if they come from free circulation in Great Britain.
To be authorised, a business must be established in the UK and meet compliance, record-keeping and evidence requirements, and keep evidence for five years. Authorisation must be in place before the goods move. Apply on GOV.UK: search “UK Internal Market Scheme”.
A dedicated van taking goods to Northern Ireland is a goods movement, not a postal parcel, so the business rules above apply to commercial consignments. Before you book, check that the importer is UKIMS-authorised or that a customs declaration will be made, whether an entry summary (safety and security) declaration is needed, and that the paperwork travels with the goods.
We take the same van and driver across on the Cairnryan to Belfast or Liverpool to Belfast crossing. For business goods, you can arrange the customs paperwork yourself, or we can prepare it through the Trader Support Service at an extra cost, quoted when you book. Tell us what the goods are, who is sending them and who is receiving them, so nothing is held up. See our courier to Northern Ireland page for the service and prices.
Sending to the Republic of Ireland instead? That is an EU country with different customs rules: see our European courier page.
Rules checked against GOV.UK guidance in October 2026. They change: check GOV.UK or your customs adviser before you send.
Not on personal parcels: GOV.UK says private individuals sending to private individuals in Northern Ireland pay no customs duty. Business goods moved under the UK Internal Market Scheme for UK end consumers pay no duty either. Goods outside the scheme may need a full declaration and can be charged duty, and excise goods always need excise duty accounted for.
Since 1 May 2025, the Windsor Framework arrangements apply to parcels from Great Britain to Northern Ireland. Personal parcels and letters have no customs formalities. Businesses sending to consumers need a carrier authorised under the UK Carrier Scheme. Businesses sending to businesses need UK Internal Market Scheme authorisation, or a full customs declaration.
Not if you are a private individual sending to another private individual, or a business sending to consumers through a carrier authorised under the UK Carrier Scheme. Business-to-business goods need either the simplified Internal Market Movement Information, if the importer is UKIMS-authorised, or a full customs declaration.
The Trader Support Service is a free government service for businesses moving goods from Great Britain into Northern Ireland. It helps complete the customs and movement information. Businesses that do not use it can appoint someone to deal with customs for them, such as a registered customs agent, or do it themselves.
No. GOV.UK says correspondence sent from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is exempt from any requirements. Contracts, legal papers and other documents can be sent as normal. Goods are different: anything that is bought, sold or used in a business needs the right route, depending on who is sending it and who receives it.
Yes. We collect within 30 to 45 minutes across London and the Home Counties and within the hour elsewhere in Great Britain, and deliver to Belfast and across Northern Ireland, with a signature and photo on handover. Tell us what the goods are and who is sending them when you call 020 8202 2008.
First Choice Transportation Ltd is a registered UK company (No. 15276847) based in Southgate, North London, founded by Allam, who has 15 years’ experience in courier and transport work, with 30 drivers across the UK.
30 to 45 minutes across London and the Home Counties; 45 minutes to an hour elsewhere in Great Britain.
Your goods are the only consignment in the van.
The driver checks labels, quantities and condition before loading.
Signature and photo on handover, texted to you.
