The British International Freight Association (BIFA) recently met with representatives from the European Commission in Brussels to discuss the operation of the Windsor Framework and its impact on the movement of goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

The meeting formed part of ongoing engagement between industry and policymakers to assess how the post-Brexit trading arrangements are functioning in practice and to identify areas where processes could be improved for freight forwarders and their customers.

Representing BIFA was Pawel Jarza from the association’s Policy and Compliance team, who highlighted the operational realities faced by members when moving goods across the Irish Sea. While the Windsor Framework has simplified certain procedures, such as removing the requirement for export declarations on goods moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland, freight forwarders continue to navigate a complex trading environment.

Key challenges discussed included the need to operate between two tariff regimes and determine whether goods are considered “at risk” of entering the EU market. Additional requirements, including safety and security declarations and the implementation of systems such as Import Control System 2 (ICS2), also contribute to the complexity of border processes.

The discussion also addressed issues surrounding the movement of small parcels and lower-value consignments, where the detailed provisions of the framework can create practical difficulties for operators.

BIFA used the meeting to relay feedback from its members and emphasised the importance of continued dialogue between industry and regulators to ensure the framework works as effectively as possible.

Commenting after the meeting, Jarza encouraged members that trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland to continue sharing their experiences.

“Freight forwarders operate at this border every day and have first-hand knowledge of what works and what does not,” he said. “If members encounter systemic issues, it is important that they let us know so we can raise these with government departments and the European Commission, and where possible propose practical solutions.”

BIFA will continue to gather feedback through its regional engagement in Northern Ireland and ongoing discussions with members to support improvements to the operation of the Windsor Framework.