Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, for what reason goods imported to Northern Ireland from (a) China and (b) other non-EU countries are charged a higher third country duty tariff than goods imported from those countries to Great Britain.

Under the terms of the Windsor Framework, goods being brought into Northern Ireland from non-EU countries attract customs duty at the relevant EU rate if they are deemed ‘at risk’ of entering the EU. In some circumstances those duties can be waived or the difference between the EU and UK rate reimbursed. If the goods are not regarded as ‘at risk’ of entering the EU they will attract customs duty at UK rates.