Thank you again to everyone who has signed and supported this petition so far.

I wanted to share a brief update on why this issue matters so much to businesses in Northern Ireland - and increasingly, to their suppliers in Great Britain - and why your voice now makes a real difference.

Since the new GB–NI parcel arrangements came into force in May 2025, many businesses have found themselves being charged duty and high parcel “disbursement” or administration fees without being given the information needed to understand, verify, or challenge those charges.

In many cases, Northern Ireland businesses don’t even choose the parcel operator. The delivery is arranged by the supplier in Great Britain, who holds the account with the courier. Yet it is the NI business - named as 'Importer of Record' - that is later pursued for charges by a parcel company they have no contractual relationship with and little ability to engage with meaningfully.

What has become increasingly clear is that this isn’t just about cost. It’s about transparency and fairness.

Businesses are being charged:

• without being asked for basic customs information,
• without being given access to the data underpinning the charges, and
• without a realistic route to challenge errors or inconsistencies.

As a result, many businesses are paying charges by default - not because they believe they are correct, but because the system leaves them with no practical alternative.

This problem affects both  “At Risk” and “Not At Risk” parcel movements and it is now impacting trade within the UK itself. NI businesses are increasingly forced to look to suppliers in Ireland or the wider EU, while Great Britain suppliers are losing trade through no fault of their own.

That is why this petition is now focused on a simple principle:

UK businesses deserve transparency in GB–NI parcel charges.

Your support helps demonstrate that this is not an isolated complaint but a systemic issue that needs attention and resolution.

How you can help now
If this issue resonates with you, the most powerful thing you can do is share it:

• With your suppliers or customers in Great Britain,
• With local politicians or MPs,
• With Chambers of Commerce or trade bodies, and
• With other businesses who may be experiencing the same problems but feel they have no voice.

The more people who understand what is actually happening in practice, the harder it becomes for this issue to be ignored.

Thank you again for your support and for helping to push for a fair, transparent system that works for businesses across the UK.

Jonathan