L-R: Matt Clark, Partner, Customs and Excise, BDO GB, Carol Lynch, Partner, Customs and International Trade BDO Ireland, Lorraine Nelson, Tax Partner BDO NI and James Woods, Chief Operating Officer GM Marketing (Ireland) Ltd. Pictured at Custom House, Belfast.
Customs House in Belfast has a long history of dealing with a variety of Customs and Duties from the 19th century to being HM Revenue & Customs Belfast HQ until 2021, however on Wednesday business leaders gathered to discuss the latest Customs connotations in the form of the Windsor Framework. The event held by business advisory firm BDO NI, provided crucial insights and practicalities for businesses across the island on the Windsor Framework, shedding light on its operational aspects in its initial days.
Delegates from across the retail, agri-food, and manufacturing sectors joined BDO’s specialist customs and tax teams from Belfast, Dublin, and London to hear how to best navigate the new arrangements and to avoid any adverse impacts on their businesses or supply chains.
BDO NI Tax Partner, Lorraine Nelson said:
“There has been a lot of noise surrounding Brexit over recent years, we have had the NI Protocol and now this year, the Windsor Framework. However, the practicalities and impact on day-to-day business here is usually overshadowed by the political implications and reaction. Businesses here have a strong history of ‘just getting on with it’ and this has been the case over the last number of years too.
“In Northern Ireland, there is a noticeable air of business confidence, and at least a part of this is fuelled by the certainty and opportunities that come with the Windsor Framework. Any alterations will have repercussions on the necessary procedures and paperwork and companies are seeking clear guidelines considering what has been a notably intricate and shifting situation here in Northern Ireland.
“We have organised this event to collate the information available and provide a one-stop-shop to help business leaders to understand the changes, ensure they are fully compliant and inform both their customers and suppliers”.
Besides obtaining the perspective from Northern Ireland, attendees also acquired a comprehensive understanding of how the Windsor Framework affects the Irish market. This included a detailed explanation of the necessary procedures and measures that companies must have in place for operations across the land border, sea border and Europe.
Carol Lynch, BDO Partner, Customs and International Trade Ireland said,
“There is a real opportunity for business located in Northern Ireland, and for future investment here, with businesses looking to have dual access to both the UK and EU markets, and for GB businesses a ‘gateway to Europe’. These new red and green lane arrangements are not a case of a quick tick box and drive on through, all sectors and indeed each business will be impacted differently. There are many variables, such as types of customers, supply chain routes, regulatory requirements will determine the level of compliance and paperwork because of these new changes.”
The event also heard from Paul Lynam, Deputy Director General of the British Irish Chamber of Commerce about the need to secure supply chains.
With the Windsor Framework already in place and the red and green lanes now operational, offering a clear pathway for the movement of goods, the experiences of those businesses that have already started to work through the new processes can also offer practical guidance and feedback.
GM Marketing (Ireland) Ltd is a distribution company, operating across the island of Ireland, GB, Europe and beyond. Its COO James Woods discusses the challenges the new arrangements will have on the sector,
“At GM Marketing we represent over 40 household brands in the Irish market, including manufacturers in GB and from across Europe. Since Brexit we have fought hard to keep these brands in the Irish market, North and South, maintaining choice for consumers here. This has been an uphill struggle, with ever changing challenges and new obstacles placed in our way.
“Lack of clarity around labelling, and precisely what green and red lane access will look like, continues to frustrate these brands, with many turning to us daily for advice. Much more of this uncertainly, along with additional costs, will without out doubt lead to some of these brands making the difficult decision to exit the market here. At GM we remain optimistic and want to shift our focus to taking advantage of the opportunities for us and our brands.”