RHA Calls for Action On GB–NI Supply Chains

On 25 July, Richard Smith, Managing Director of the Road Haulage Association (RHA), urged the UK Government to take immediate, practical steps to address the growing challenges in freight trade between Great Britain (GB) and Northern Ireland (NI) under the Windsor Framework.

Smith warned that the current system is “fracturing” supply chains, pushing up costs for companies and reducing choice for Northern Irish consumers. Hauliers have seen GB–NI freight volumes fall, with some suppliers now routing goods via Europe into Dublin rather than directly into NI – undermining long‑established Irish Sea trade links.

Consumers are also feeling the impact, as major online retailers and marketplace sellers scale back deliveries or restrict product ranges to Northern Ireland.

One of the RHA’s biggest concerns is the way goods are classified as “at risk” of entering the EU single market. The current rule – making the determination at the point of dispatch – is seen as unnecessarily complex. Smith has called for this to happen at the point of sale; a change he believes would reduce friction and improve efficiency.

The Windsor Framework still requires multiple checks and allows for inconsistent interpretation, creating operational uncertainty. This is especially damaging for time‑sensitive, fragmented loads such as groupage, where even small delays disrupt delivery schedules. Many operators say they are “drowning in paperwork” without clear, real‑time guidance.

Industry-Backed Recommendations
The RHA and other industry stakeholders have recommended:

• Reclassifying at the point of sale to simplify the ‘at‑risk’ process.
• Exempting Just‑In‑Time (JIT) deliveries from complex customs rules.
• Raising or removing UKIMS thresholds to ease pressure on smaller operators.
• Introducing simplified reporting models and considering exemptions for online consumer deliveries.

Without reform, Smith warns, GB–NI trade will remain vulnerable to declining volumes, reduced efficiency, and higher costs.

How Noatum Logistics Can Help
Noatum Logistics operates across the UK, NI and Ireland, providing grounded support to businesses navigating these complexities:

• Expert guidance on ‘at‑risk’ classification to reduce unnecessary checks and delays.
• Support with UKIMS processes, including registration and threshold assessments.
• Streamlined, compliant solutions for JIT and time‑critical supply chains.

By combining policy awareness with operational execution, we help businesses maintain continuity, protect trade flows, and preserve customer choice in the GB–NI corridor.