Brexit anger as Amazon and eBay sellers refuse to ship to Northern Ireland

A DUP MP says Northern Ireland is being treated ‘differently’ (Image: GETTY) Amazon and eBay sellers are refusing to ship to Northern Ireland because of the high costs of doing so, sparking Brexit fury among politicans. Under current arrangements, goods travelling to Northern Ireland are having to undergo rigorous checks. As a result, some providers are being dissuaded from sending items to the region because of the additional costs, according to DUP MP Jim Shannon. He fumes that Northern Ireland is being treated “differently”, which is costing small businesses and individuals the “ability to shop around”. However, Northern Ireland Minister Steve Baker says the issue is down to the reluctant online sellers still making export plans based on the Northern Ireland protocol which imposes checks on goods entering. The Windsor Framework, which replaced the protocol, is intended to smooth the process of shipping goods from Great Britain to NI by creating a “green lane” without any checks. The new system is set to be fully implemented by 2025. Steve Baker suggests the disruption could be short-lived (Image: Getty) Unionist politicians have expressed concerns about the Framework and have refused to return to power sharing in Stormont because of it. Strangford MP Mr Shannon said he had been contacted by a number of constituents and asked “what steps can the Secretary of State take to revisit the framework with the EU counterparts to ensure free and fair trade throughout the United Kingdom that is clear and easy to follow for all businesses?” But Northern Ireland Minister Steve Baker replied to Mr Shannon: “Under the (Northern Ireland) protocol as it was, all parcels would have needed to complete full international customs processes and I believe that those suppliers to whom he refers will be making their plans under the protocol as it was. “I can tell him that under the Windsor Framework parcels to consumers will not be subject to those burdensome processes and he reminds us all that we need to redouble our efforts to communicate to suppliers that they will be able to take advantage of the new green lane and supply to consumers in Northern Ireland.” With The Windsor Framework, goods from Britain destined for Northern Ireland will go through a “green lane” while goods at risk of being shipped to the EU will be moved through a separate “red lane”. Products coming into Northern Ireland through the green lane would see checks and paperwork scrapped. Meanwhile, red-lane goods destined for the EU still be subject to normal checks. Where smuggling is suspected, some custom checks may still be carried out on green-lane goods. Businesses moving goods from Northern Ireland to Great Britain would not be required to complete export declarations.