This is an important issue which needs more clarity. I for one think the requirement for exit declarations on goods going NI to GB should be able to be avoided. Here is a thread on how and why I think that is the case, I hope similar issues will be raised during any UQ /1
Art 6 of the NI Protocol allows EU law on customs not to be applied on goods moving NI to GB to ensure unfettered access. The only time it must be applied is if it is implementing international regulations /2
But since, legally, NI remains in the UK customs territory it is hard to see why international rules would require exit declarations between two parts of the same customs territory. Therefore, if the requirement is only an EU law one, Art 6 should allow it to be disregarded /3
It is also clear that the spirit and intention of the NI Protocol is to ensure no barriers to trade from NI to GB. Therefore, if the UK set out that its interpretation of the NI Protocol were as mine above, I'd be very surprised if the EU objected to it. /4 ENDS
