Brexit red tape stopping small charities getting supplies to Ukraine – The Guardian

Brexit red tape is preventing small charities and members of the public from bringing supplies to the Ukrainian border to help ease the deepening humanitarian crisis, it has emerged.

A Polish charity in Lewisham, south London, said three of its vans were blocked from getting on a ferry because they didnt have the paperwork needed for their cargo.

Since Brexit anyone taking commercial quantities of goods to the EU must document all items on their trucks along with other export certification.

The process is complicated and extensive, requiring exporters to know the individual commodity code for each of their products, as well as the origin and destination of their goods, something that individuals acting spontaneously in response to the refugee crisis are unlikely to know.

Agnieszka Lokaj from the Lewisham Polish Centre charity told the Press Association: The guys had cover letters from us that this is humanitarian aid with all the information that this is going to be distributed for the refugees, its not for reselling; we listed all the items.

Ciaran Donovan, a courier who has charted the Brexit challenges facing drivers on social media over the past five years, came to their aid and they were able to board.

Donovan said he knew of 13 other vans transporting medical equipment on behalf of charities that still havent left the UK after four days of trying to get customs paperwork.

The vans sent by the Lewisham Polish Centre have now arrived in Przemyl, a Polish city on the border with Ukraine.

Eurotunnel said it was working with the big recognised charities to get aid across and urged the smaller charities to work with them to get access to the cross-channel services.

A spokesperson for HMRC said the government advice remained that the best way to help was to donate money through the Disasters Emergency Committee or other trusted charities.

It also said people could consult the Export Support Service or call the helpline 0300 303 8955 to get advice on the paperwork.

The Polish British Social Integration Club Wawel, a London-based community organisation, confirmed it had closed its donation point and stopped shipments due to the border issues.

Its chair, Kasia Zimna, said: We just want to deliver the stuff, people are dying from hunger.

Its quite heartbreaking for us because we have resources, but the law isnt helping.

The organisations have urged the governments of the UK, France and the Netherlands to urgently clarify guidance for trucks carrying humanitarian goods across their borders.

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Brexit red tape stopping small charities getting supplies to Ukraine - The Guardian