Sending GB stock to Northern Ireland consumers
Use a UK Carrier Scheme authorised carrier for eligible consumer parcels sent by your GB business. These movements need no customs declaration or customs duty, and a seller sending only consumer parcels does not need UKIMS. Provide parcel data and check restrictions. China-side sourcing support comes from Cambridge China Bridge.
Confirm that this is a sale from GB stock
Tell the carrier that your GB business is selling China-made products from its existing stock to a Northern Ireland consumer. Ask it to confirm the booking route before dispatch. For the wider destination distinction, see China imports: Northern Ireland versus Great Britain.
A parcel bought from an overseas business and routed through GB is a separate case. HMRC requires a customs declaration and a safety and security declaration for eligible consumer parcels arriving from outside the UK and EU. Do not assume that passing through a GB warehouse makes that movement an ordinary sale from GB stock.
Check the carrier arrangement and customer
Ask the carrier to confirm that your service uses its UK Carrier Scheme authorisation. Eligible GB business-to-consumer parcels moved by an authorised carrier need no customs declaration, customs duty or presentation to customs. If you send only business-to-consumer parcels, you do not need UKIMS registration.
Tell the carrier whether the customer is a consumer or business. Consumer click and collect orders can still qualify as business-to-consumer parcels when delivered to a business address. Ask your warehouse to flag trade orders separately rather than classify every delivery to a shop as a business purchase.
Prepare the parcel data before booking
Prepare the item count, a description of each item, sender and recipient names and addresses, any different delivery address, total invoiced goods value and gross parcel weight. The authorised carrier submits the movement data to HMRC.
Use recognisable product names rather than internal stock codes alone. Ask the carrier for its upload template and test a booking using your actual product range. Keep the booking record with the order. For packaging and returns planning, use our e-commerce sourcing guide.
Check restricted goods and parcel eligibility
The carrier will identify relevant prohibited goods and extra information needed for restricted goods. HMRC also sets parcel weight limits and personal-use conditions. Ask the carrier to confirm eligibility against the packed weight and actual contents before offering delivery.
Send a product description, materials information and photographs when asking about acceptance. Request a written answer covering restrictions, supporting documents and the service to book. Do not treat acceptance of a similar product as acceptance of your whole range.
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Keep business orders on a separate workflow
Business-to-business parcels have different arrangements. The simplified route requires a UKIMS-authorised importer of record, goods for sale or final use by UK end consumers, and eligibility for Internal Market Movement Information. A full customs declaration is required if no authorised party can act or the goods are ineligible.
Before adding trade delivery, agree with the carrier who will act as importer of record and which information your checkout must collect. Cambridge China Bridge's own staff in China can help gather factory product descriptions and packaging information; agree the parcel booking process with your carrier.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need UKIMS to send parcels to Northern Ireland consumers?
No, if you only send business-to-consumer parcels. Your courier or express operator must be authorised under the UK Carrier Scheme, and the parcels must qualify.
What parcel information should I give the carrier?
Provide item count, descriptions, sender and recipient names and addresses, any different delivery address, total invoiced goods value and gross parcel weight. Confirm the carrier's submission format.
Can I send a consumer order to a Northern Ireland shop?
Yes. Consumer click and collect orders can be treated as business-to-consumer parcels even when delivered to a business address. Tell the carrier that the buyer is a consumer.
Does Chinese manufacture mean I need a new customs declaration?
Check the movement. Eligible consumer parcels sold by a GB business from GB stock use the authorised carrier route. Parcels bought from an overseas business and routed through GB have separate declaration requirements.