To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she plans to take to support Northern Ireland based IT businesses who have been informed that they must provide a UK Internal Market Scheme number by GB based suppliers.
Answered on
12 May 2025
The UK Internal Market Scheme (UKIMS) allows authorised businesses to move eligible goods from Great Britain to Northern Ireland with zero duty and to benefit from the simplified processes under the Windsor Framework that took effect from 1 May. Any business established across the whole of the United Kingdom can apply for UKIMS, including a business sending goods established in Great Britain.
The Government has carried out an extensive information campaign to ensure businesses are aware of the options available to them. Detailed guidance is available on https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-authorisation-for-the-uk-internal-market-scheme-if-you-bring-goods-into-northern-ireland.
The free-to-use Trader Support Service (TSS) is also available to support businesses moving goods from Great Britain to Northern Ireland with any queries they may have, including on how to acquire a UKIMS authorisation number.