Shielder Chassis is a UK company that is founded and registered in Northern Ireland. As a result, all our customer order exports from Northern Ireland into European countries are governed by a unique EU agreement known as the Northern Ireland Protocol.
In brief this Protocol allows Shielder Chassis straight forward hassle-free shipping direct to our European customers.

Northern Ireland's ability to sell products to Europe while the rest of the UK faces difficulties lies in the unique arrangement known as the Northern Ireland Protocol. This Protocol, a result of the UK's withdrawal from the European Union, is aimed at avoiding a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland while maintaining the integrity of the EU's single market. It essentially creates a customs border in the Irish Sea, meaning that Northern Ireland follows EU customs rules and regulations for goods entering or leaving the region, while the rest of the UK does not.

The Protocol means that Northern Ireland is effectively still part of the EU's single market, allowing for frictionless trade with the EU. This is a significant advantage for Northern Ireland-based businesses, as it allows them to continue to export to the EU without facing the same regulatory and customs barriers as their counterparts in the rest of the UK. For example, if a company in Northern Ireland produces food or agricultural products, it can continue to sell those products to EU countries with minimal disruption, whereas a similar company in England or Scotland may face additional checks and costs due to the UK's departure from the EU.

Another advantage for Northern Ireland is that it can take advantage of the EU's trade agreements with other countries, giving Northern Ireland-based businesses access to markets that the rest of the UK does not have. For example, the EU has a free trade agreement with Canada that the UK is no longer part of, but Northern Ireland-based businesses can still access that agreement through the Protocol. This means that Northern Ireland has a significant advantage in terms of trade with Canada, which is a significant market for some Northern Irish products, such as whiskey.

However, it's worth noting that the Northern Ireland Protocol has not been without controversy, with some politicians and businesses in Northern Ireland arguing that it creates a barrier between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK. There have also been concerns about the administrative burden placed on businesses in Northern Ireland, as they must comply with both EU and UK regulations. There have been calls for changes to the Protocol, with some advocating for its complete scrapping, while others argue that it should be tweaked to make it more workable for businesses.

In conclusion, the Northern Ireland Protocol has allowed Northern Ireland to continue to sell products to Europe while the rest of the UK faces difficulties due to Brexit. By creating a customs border in the Irish Sea, Northern Ireland is effectively still part of the EU's single market, allowing for frictionless trade with the EU and access to markets that the rest of the UK does not have. While the Protocol has not been without controversy, it remains a unique and advantageous arrangement for Northern Ireland-based businesses.