Pre-Launch Announcement: Great Britain to Northern Ireland delivery via Amazon Shipping

We are announcing changes to our Amazon Shipping API, specifically tailored for shipments from Great Britain to Northern Ireland. These updates will go live on April 28th, 2025, and include essential changes to meet our requirements specific to Northern Ireland.

Key Updates

Updated documentation for item description and item value data fields in the API (Note: Amazon Shipping only permits shipments to private individuals in Northern Ireland for personal use).
Expected Launch Date: April 28th, 2025; Marketplace affected: United Kingdom.

Schema Details:

For shipments to Northern Ireland, the item schema in the API will require additional information:

{
  "item": {
    "type": "object",
    "properties": {
      "description": {
        "type": "string",
        "description": "The product description of the item. For Northern Ireland shipments, this must reflect the goods description and include a six-digit commodity code in the format: HSCODE:XXXXXX (six digits without spaces or special characters).",
        "example": "Female Leather Gloves, color Black, size M, HSCODE:620920"
      },
      "itemValue": {
        "type": "object",
        "description": "The monetary value of the item (amount invoiced) in the currency indicated, in ISO 4217 standard format. This is required for Northern Ireland shipments.",
        "$ref": "#/definitions/Currency"
      },
      //All the fields remained unchanged. 
    },
    "required": ["description", "itemValue", "quantity", "weight"]
  }
}

Important Notes:

These updates are specifically for shipments from Great Britain to Northern Ireland . Ensure that shipments to Northern Ireland are only for goods sent to private individuals for personal use. Do not tender any Shipments to Amazon Shipping for Recipients that are businesses in Northern Ireland.

You must now include both the item description and the six-digit commodity code (HS code) in the specified format in the description field.

We also require itemValue for Northern Ireland shipments, which must reflect the invoiced amount for the item.

FAQs:

I thought Amazon Shipping did not support shipments to Northern Ireland, does this change?
We are not inviting further shippers to ship volume to Northern Ireland at this time. If this changes, we
will communicate with you.
Why are these changes being implemented?
In conjunction with certain regulatory changes in the process for sending shipments to Northern
Ireland, we have amended our internal processes and updated our requirements for Northern
Ireland shipments. This will help us to streamline compliance efforts for all shipments.
Can I still ship packages to Northern Ireland without item description, commodity code or item
value after April 28?
Item Description, six-digit commodity code, and Item Value are mandatory for each item in shipments
to Northern Ireland, starting 30 March. We will begin blocking shipments to Northern Ireland on April
28 if you do not provide the requested information in the expected format. However, we recommend you
implement the new changes as soon as possible to avoid disruption.
What is commodity / HS code?
Among classification systems, Harmonized System (HS) codes are commonly used throughout the import/export process for the classification of goods. The HS is a standardized numerical method of classifying traded products. HS code aligns with first six digits of the item’s commodity code (also called a tariff code), which is a system used by EU/UK customs to describe goods being imported.
Refer to the Northern Ireland Online Tariff on GOV.UK to identify the HS codes for the goods you ship
to Northern Ireland.
I have 8/10-digits commodity code but you ask for 6-digit one, what should I provide?
"HS code" refers to a 6-digit Harmonized System code used internationally to classify products
for customs purposes, while a "8/10-digit code" usually refers to a country-specific code that
extends the HS code by adding 2/4 additional digits for more detailed product classification within
that country. Essentially, the first 6 digits of an 8/10-digit code would be the HSCode itself. Ensure you provide the six-digits HScode within item description exactly in the requested format.
Is the itemValue field mandatory for all shipments now?
The itemValue field is mandatory specifically for all shipments to Northern Ireland. It remains conditionally required: mandatory for all On-Amazon shipments, but optional for Off-Amazon shipments to other locations.
Can I ship to businesses in Northern Ireland using this service?
No, Amazon Shipping currently only supports shipments to private individuals in Northern Ireland for personal use.
What happens if I don't provide the required information for Northern Ireland shipments?
We will begin blocking shipments to Northern Ireland (via a failed API response) on April 28 if the requested information is not provided in the expected format.
Are there any specific limitations on the supported product types for shipments to Northern
Ireland?
Yes. Do not tender any shipments for Northern Ireland that contain items that are considered as
controlled goods for B2C shipments to Northern Ireland (also referred to as Prohibited and Restricted
goods). To identify such items, refer to this guidance and to the Northern Ireland Online Tariff on
GOV.UK. Such items shall be deemed Prohibited Shipments under Section 7.15 of our Shipping
Policies if destined for Northern Ireland.