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UK Internal Trade: Northern Ireland

Asked by Sorcha EastwoodAllianceTreasuryTabled Answered 19 May 2025UIN 51186

The question

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she is taking steps to improve processing time for applications to join the UK Internal Market Scheme.

Answered by James Murray

The UK Internal Market Scheme (UKIMS) was launched in June 2023, allowing businesses across the United Kingdom to apply, and HMRC has successfully encouraged over 10,000 traders to get authorised.

HMRC is required to take a decision regarding the outcome of a UKIMS application within 120 days. Applications are typically processed with an average turnaround time of 12 to 15 working days. HMRC must undertake a range of checks to verify eligibility for the scheme and, in certain cases, seek further information from businesses.

More guidance can be found on gov.uk at:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-authorisation-for-the-uk-internal-market-scheme-if-you-bring-goods-into-northern-ireland

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-if-you-can-declare-goods-you-bring-into-northern-ireland-not-at-risk-of-moving-to-the-eu

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