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Ulster Trader Support scheme goes live

[ September 28, 2020   //   ]

The government is urging businesses dealing with Northern Ireland to sign up to new Trader Support Service, which went live on 28 September.

It will provide a free end-to-end support package to manage import and safety and security declarations on behalf of traders and educate businesses on what the protocol means for them, and the steps they need to take to comply with it. This will include online training sessions and webinars, with information being continually updated closer to 1 January 2021.

The service is available to businesses moving goods into the province under new processes in the Northern Ireland Protocol that start from 1 January 2021

Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Michael Gove said it would provide crucial support and guidance to businesses moving goods under the Protocol, adding: “With little over three months to go until the end of the transition period, it is vital that traders sign up and take advantage of the scheme, so that they can continue to trade seamlessly and seize new opportunities on 1 January 2021.”

Logistics UK (formerly FTA) policy manager for Northern Ireland, Seamus Leheny, added: “UK businesses face significant challenges at the end of the transition period, not least the matter of customs and other formalities, which many will be encountering for the first time. We are delighted to see the launch of the Trader Support Service today, which should help NI businesses – who face particular challenges – transition to the new trading arrangements, protect continuity of trade and help to ensure EU Exit is a success for the NI economy. The service will also provide support to GB businesses who trade with, or move goods to and from, NI. As a next step Logistics UK are now calling on the UK government to publish a clear border operating model for trade between NI and GB, so that the logistics industry can plan for January.” 

The Trader Support Service will be delivered by a consortium led by Fujitsu, which was selected following a procurement process.