Irish steel importer case highlights the financial stakes facing businesses as international trade becomes increasingly complex
Allied Group has announced the launch of the Beyond Borders Summit after helping an Irish steel importer avoid a potential €400,000 Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) liability.
Supported by Danske Bank, AbbeyAutoline and Formation Works, the new national business summit will take place at ICC Belfast on Thursday 1 October, bringing together more than 200 senior business leaders, manufacturers, policymakers and international trade specialists.
The summit will examine the changes affecting how companies trade, invest and grow across the UK, Ireland and Europe, from customs and carbon border regulation to artificial intelligence, sustainability and changing global supply chains.
The launch follows a recent case in which Allied Group identified the potential €400,000 liability while delivering CBAM training to an Irish steel importer that had already researched the new requirements and carried out its own calculations.
A review of one of the company’s main commodity codes identified a potential carbon liability of approximately €400,000 for 2026, which Allied Group’s modelling indicated could rise to around €780,000 by 2028.
Further investigation found that an incorrect commodity code supplied by an international supplier had been applied to the goods. Once the correct classification was established, Allied Group’s analysis found that the associated liability fell to zero.
Stephen McAneney, Managing Director of Allied Group, said: “Over the past decade, we’ve worked alongside businesses as they’ve adapted to changing regulations, new trading arrangements and opportunities in new markets. Brexit fundamentally changed how businesses move goods across borders. While that created challenges, it also created a unique opportunity for Northern Ireland through its dual access to both the UK Internal Market and the EU Single Market for goods.
“We’ve already seen businesses demonstrate how companies based in Northern Ireland can compete and grow internationally by leveraging that position. The opportunity extends far beyond any one sector. Manufacturers, distributors and traders across the region can use this advantage to expand exports, attract investment and reach customers on a scale that many of their competitors cannot.
“That’s what led us to create Beyond Borders. We’re bringing together business leaders, policymakers and industry experts to have honest conversations about the future of trade, investment and competitiveness, and how Northern Ireland can make the most of its unique position.
“The challenge now is not whether the opportunity exists. It’s whether we have the ambition to seize it. The businesses that understand and embrace Northern Ireland’s dual market access today will be best placed to grow, invest and succeed in the years ahead.”
Meagan Faulkner, Head of Communications at Allied Group, said: “I was in the training session when the potential €400,000 liability was identified, and what struck me was how easily it could have been missed.
“This was a business that knew CBAM was coming. It had done its research and was actively preparing, yet one incorrect commodity code left it facing a potentially significant cost.
“That’s the important lesson for other businesses. Being aware of CBAM isn’t enough. The information you’re relying on has to be accurate, properly checked and supported by the right expertise, because getting something as fundamental as a commodity code wrong can have serious financial consequences.”
Hosted by broadcasters Ciaran May and Jim Fitzpatrick, Beyond Borders will feature more than eight speakers from business, government and industry, with confirmed contributors including Jan Joost, representing IACBAM, Kieran Kelly, Fiona Derry, Conor Houston and Alastair James.
Sessions will examine CBAM, customs and trade compliance, the Windsor Framework, dual market access, artificial intelligence, sustainability, supply chain resilience and international expansion.
Northern Ireland’s unique trading position will be a major focus, with speakers examining how access to both the UK Internal Market and the EU Single Market for goods can translate into greater investment, exports and business growth.
The programme will also explore how changing regulation, technology and global supply chains are influencing where businesses invest, source products and sell internationally.
Conor McGivern, Senior Business Manager, Danske Bank said: “Every day we speak to businesses that are investing, exporting and looking at opportunities in new markets. What we’re seeing is that growth decisions are becoming more complex.
“It’s no longer enough to understand the commercial opportunity. Businesses also need to navigate changing regulation, sustainability requirements and an increasingly uncertain global trading environment.
“That’s what makes Beyond Borders so valuable. It creates the space for business leaders to hear directly from the people working at the forefront of international trade, ask questions and leave with a clearer understanding of the opportunities and challenges ahead.
“Northern Ireland has ambitious businesses with the capability to compete internationally. The more we can help those businesses understand the changing trading landscape and the opportunities available across the UK, Ireland and Europe, the better placed they’ll be to invest, grow and succeed. That’s why we’re pleased to support Beyond Borders.”
Jackie McGirr, Commercial Director at AbbeyAutoline said: “We work with businesses across Northern Ireland every day, so we see first-hand how quickly things are changing.
“Many of our customers are trading across the UK, Ireland and Europe and are having to navigate new regulations, changing supply chains, and increasing costs. Having the right information and insight to help them plan for what’s ahead is really important.
“That’s what attracted us to the Beyond Borders Summit. It brings together people who understand the realities of doing business across borders and gives businesses the opportunity to share experiences, hear different perspectives and talk openly about the challenges and opportunities ahead.
“We’re pleased to support Beyond Borders because it reflects our commitment to the businesses we work with every day and our belief in helping them make informed decisions and continue to grow.”
The launch of Beyond Borders comes during a period of significant growth for Allied Group, following a £500,000 investment, the creation of 25 new jobs and the company’s recent rebrand from Allied Fleet Services to Allied Group.
Founded in 2017, the County Armagh-headquartered business has grown into one of the UK and Ireland’s leading customs, freight and trade compliance specialists, supporting manufacturers, exporters, logistics providers and transport operators across the UK, Ireland, Europe and international markets.
Through its specialist divisions – Allied Customs, Allied Freight and Allied CBAM – the company has expanded in response to growing demand for customs, freight and carbon border expertise as businesses navigate increasingly complex cross-border trading requirements.
The Beyond Borders Summit takes place at ICC Belfast on Thursday 1 October 2026.
Event Registration is now open.
For further information or to get tickets, visit https://beyondborders2026.eventbrite.co.uk, or email meagan@allied-group.co.uk or call 028 3066 0988
