So I’ve heard from someone that if you are posting to NI from a business in the UK to a private customer you do not need a rep. You need to use one of the government approved carriers and Royal Mail is one of them - is this correct? Would this mean we could reinstate sending to NI customers if we use RM?
Anyone heard anything about this?
And if it is, I’m assuming items would still need to be traceable and have paperwork available (eg batch or serial number etc)?
I think that was the case when you first needed EORI numbers on your parcels to send around the EU - you didn’t need one if you were sending via Royal Mail. I don’t think that supercedes the GSPR rules though.
So we still can’t send to NI unless we have an EU rep in place? 
I don’t think so - that’s why NI is now lumped in with EU countries in the postage options.
It would be great if that were the case. Not that I have had many sales to NI of course.
All rules set for the e.u are the same for N. I now.
I’m of the mind that this is too good to be true - I’ve got a couple of people telling me that as of today (May 1st) items sent through RM (business to customer) don’t need a rep. RM have now introduced a new form when you buy postage through their website - if you enter a NI postcode it triggers this extra form which is quite similar to a customs declaration.
But I can’t see how sending via RM (even if they are an approved carrier) stops the need for a rep. It feels to me as if this is just an extra step that’s part of the Windsor Framework - kind of in addition to gspr, rather than stopping it?
Although it sounds very appealing, I can’t imagine the Post Office taking on the role of the Authorised Representative (see below for the responsibilities). All the info on the Royal Mail website is about their obligations to the Windsor Framework, not GPSR.
The confusion may be around whether the Windsor Framework March 2025 overrules GSPR in some circumstances, rather than whether the shipping carrier can be the rep.
I’m tagging in Sophie Cooke @imogensimagination as she has been involved at parliament level about the issues of GDPR on small businesses, and may possibly have some insight into this.
Thanks Sharon - the more you look at this, the less likely it all seems. I think people are grasping at straws to be honest. Unfortunately! x
I think the Royal mail communications have been extremely confusing by neglecting to mention GSPR. You would be forgiven for thinking that the Windsor Framework overrides GSPR but I really don’t think that’s the case. I’m pretty sure Royal Mail is only concerned with their role in the shipping process; GSPR is about what’s in the parcel, which RM would say is nothing to do with them.
Yes, that makes perfect sense Chris! I’m hearing from a friend that they know someone who is a large B2B and B2C seller who sends to EU - they have a rep who has been telling them UK sellers don’t need a rep to sell to NI now. Honestly, it’s like Chinese Whispers!! 
Thanks for tagging me in this Sharon - although I think you might be giving me credentials that I don’t deserve, I’m by no means an expert!
My understanding is that the Windsor Framework relates to all goods entering NI - whether it’s B2B, B2C and also individuals sending items that haven’t been sold - i.e. sending gifts to a family member.
There is also a distinction between goods that are sold to NI that are expected to stay there (B2C) and those that may be sold onto to the EU (potentially B2B).
HOWEVER, the bottom line is if you want to SELL goods to NI, either B2B or B2C - you must be GPSR compliant.
Therefore, if you are based in England, Wales or Scotland and haven’t paid for a EU representative, you cannot be compliant with GPSR.
I would agree with Sharon and Chris’s replies - can you imagine RM providing a service without charging us through the nose for it?! 
Thanks so much Sophie! I know, it doesn’t make any sense to me either. I also don’t really understand why this person’s authorised rep is telling her she doesn’t need to have a rep to send to NI. They’re doing themselves out of a job! I think there’s some serious misunderstanding going on, which is a worry. It’s so hard to get your head around the changes, let alone make sure you’re compliant.
Enjoy your bank holiday weekend everyone! x
