Sending humanitarian aid to help Ukraine

BY:

Niamh O'Connor
9 June 2022

SHARE:

Did you know that there is a simplified customs process for taking humanitarian goods outside of Great Britain to help Ukraine? 

HMRC introduced a temporary customs easement on 10 March to make it easier to move aid and donations to the people of Ukraine, which will be in place until 19 June 2023.

 

This means if you’re moving eligible goods designated as humanitarian aid through GB ports, you can do so without the need to complete electronic customs declarations.


Instead, you (or the driver moving the goods) will only need to make an oral or by conduct declaration and will not be required to supply any customs documentation. Some larger vehicles (such as Heavy Goods Vehicles) will still be required to use the Goods Vehicle Movement Service to move goods between Great Britain and the EU, although this will be waived for most smaller vehicles (those under 3.5 tonnes).
 

It is important to note that all controlled goods and dual use goods are excluded from this easement.

 
UK Government advice remains that organisations and people who would like to help should donate cash through trusted charities and aid organisations, rather than donating goods. Cash can be transferred quickly to areas where it is needed, and individuals and aid organisations can use it to buy what is most needed.

 

You can find more information about the easement, including what goods are eligible, on GOV.UK: Taking humanitarian aid out of Great Britain to support Ukraine


OneCall™ Email assistance as and when required; A one-call solution for all your import, export and customs enquiries. Export help. Import help. Customs help.

Stay informed about customs and international trade matters by subscribing to our OneCall™ service. This comprehensive offering includes a dedicated email helpline for support, timely practical updates direct to your inbox (Did You Know?), monthly UK Customs & Trade Briefings and access to an interactive members' area with an exclusive community for our subscribers.

Subscribe Today ➝

International Trade Updates & Spotlight Newsletter

Subscribe to our free information emails covering international trade topics...

Subscribe to our newsletter ➝

MORE INDUSTRY INSIGHTS...

by Niamh O'Connor 5 November 2025
While November 5th is known for fireworks and the foiling of the Gunpowder Plot, it's a story that goes beyond mere historical events. It's a tale of smuggling, licensing violations, and the evasion of government controls. Guy Fawkes and his co-conspirators, often portrayed as terrorists, were more than that. They were
by Gail Leeson 5 November 2025
CDS Update 4.9.1 will be released on the 5th November 2025. This will deliver live fixes for error messages received in the Customs Declaration Service.
by Sandra Strong 29 October 2025
Halloween wasn’t just a marketing opportunity for this company, for Jasper & Veil Ltd.; it was peak season. Their custom ghoulish gift boxes were packed with ghost-shaped biscuits, spooky mugs, novelty sweets, and glow-in-the-dark clothing, and flew off the shelves faster than you could say “trick or treat.”
Show More