Northern Ireland Protocol
When the UK left the European Union, one of the most complex challenges was managing the trading relationship between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, the latter remaining an EU member. To avoid a hard border in Ireland, the Northern Ireland Protocol was introduced in January 2021. The Northern Ireland Protocol was enacted to ensure Irish goods followed EU regulations and Great Britain and Ireland could continue custom-free trade – achieved by applying EU Single Market rules.
Under this protocol, goods moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland were subject to EU regulations and needed accompanying paperwork to prove that they would not be moved onward to the EU. While this allowed custom-free trade to continue, the process became administratively heavy, costly, and legally complex for UK-based businesses.
Unlocking EU Trade Opportunities
Trade with the EU remains a major opportunity—but only for businesses that can meet its standards. Expanding from national to international trade can feel like a big leap, but IMS ensures every invoice, shipping document, and declaration is accurate, consistent, and fully compliant with cross-border regulations.
Why It Matters for Your Business
While the Windsor Framework offers a more streamlined approach to UK–Northern Ireland trade, it also introduces new layers of complexity. Businesses must now consider what goods are being transported, whether they fall under Green or Red Lane requirements, and ensure that the right paperwork is provided for each shipment.
Non-compliance isn’t just a legal issue—it’s a business risk. Delays at the border, incorrect documentation, or misclassified goods can lead to fines, damaged customer trust, and lost sales opportunities. In an era where customers expect speed and reliability, even minor compliance errors can weaken your businesses operations.
Demonstrating strong compliance signals operational efficiency and builds customer confidence. That’s why businesses must assess how well their current systems align with Irish governance, EU customs rules, and complex VAT procedures. Navigating this landscape without the right tools is increasingly difficult—and costly.
IMS as a Operations Consultant
As cross-border trade becomes more regulated, many UK businesses are feeling the strain of rising costs, skills shortages, and manual processes. Gaps are forming where outdated systems or under-resourced teams struggle to meet modern compliance demands.
This is where IMS comes in. With expertise in operations, cybersecurity, international cross-border trade, and more, IMS provides comprehensive support to help businesses scale globally. Our partnership with Exportmaster makes us fully equipped to integrate with System21 Aurora to streamline document production.
The solutions implemented at IMS are made to work seamlessly in your business By filling operational gaps with existing systems we can help efficiently generate all your exportation document needs and ensure that your business stays in sync with evolving EU and Irish regulations.
How efficient are your current exportation documentations process- are they in line with future regulations?
Why Work With Exportmaster
The Windsor Framework has added a new layer of complexity to UK–Northern Ireland–EU trade. For many businesses, navigating the rules on customs, VAT, and Green/Red lane eligibility is a full-time job in itself.
We approach the integration with System21 Aurora from the perspective that System 21 must always be the primary data source. Integrated with your ERP systems Exportmaster will keep your in-house data integrity centralised.
Accelerating and Simplifying Export Processes:
- Make the processing of export shipments faster and easier,
- Streamline the processing and simplify document production for each export shipment,
- Greatly reduce the labour-intensive re-keying of information,
- Simplify the creation of accurate export documents.
Providing Powerful Specific Export Functionality:
- Control multiple simultaneous export shipments,
- Consolidate shipments,
- Process part orders,
- Apply additional shipment-specific data,
- Prepare packing details by case, pallet and container,
- Generate customs data to assist your CDS declarations,
- Create documentation for hazardous shipments,
With Exportmaster, you can seamlessly integrate your existing systems to automate compliance, reduce long-term costs, and minimise operational risk. IMS can rapidly implement this solution to enable real-time generation of accurate documentation—ensuring your shipments move without delay and your orders remain reliable and on time, all without adding to your team’s workload.
Exportmaster is continually compliant to minimise the risk of getting caught out by future regulations, as systems are continually maintained.
Where IMS a Make the Difference
IMS ensures that critical export data flows automatically, making sure your system integration is done right the first time. With our broad skill set, we make your systems work to support your operations—not the other way around—eliminating the risk of delays and non-compliance.
As we gain a deeper understanding of your systems, we can also future-proof your setup to adapt as your business grows with our System Services (link to other pages) We get it done faster—and get it done right.
In addition, IMS offers ongoing support, including training, bespoke documentation, and custom programming tailored to your unique business needs. Whether you’re handling international shipments or hazardous goods, IMS can help customise the system for your specific industry requirements.
Get Compliant, Stay Competitive
Stay efficient, stress-free, and ahead of the competition by ensuring your business is fully compliant. Future proofing against further regulation changes with Exportmasters powerful systems.
Focus on growth while we handle the details of implementation, supporting your business to grow globally.
Secure your free consultation with IMS today and take the first step toward seamless success!