Frustrated charity bosses say post-Brexit customs red tape at Dover has held up the transportation of aid shipments to Ukraine.

Vans loaded with sleeping bags, nappies and sanitary items for refugees were stuck in the town's port for two days due to paperwork issues.

Aid workers say post-Brexit rules for moving donations into the European Union are confusing, unclear and a “waste of money and waste of time”.

The Lewisham Polish Centre, a charity based in south-east London, says three of its vans were blocked from getting on a ferry.

On Friday, the drivers were turned away by port authorities who said they did not have the correct documentation, according to the charity’s chair.

Agnieszka Lokaj said: “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, it’s not for reselling; we listed all the items.”

Every item being transported to the EU from the UK has to be accounted for under post-Brexit legislation.

'We are not clear on the rules because everybody’s saying something else...'

Officials insisted the vehicles needed T1 documents, which Ms Lokaj said would have incurred costs too high for her small organisation.

“We are not clear on the rules because everybody’s saying something else."

“Some vans were able to get through without the T1."

The vans finally got onto a ferry on Sunday with the help of Ciaran Donovan, a St Albans-based courier who transports goods across Europe for a living.

He said: “What they did in the end, which is absolutely mental, is they went on a tourist ticket, which you’re not supposed to do.

“It’s chaos, there’s no law to it, there’s no rule to it.”

Mr Donovan also said he knew of 13 other vans transporting medical equipment on behalf of charities that “still haven’t left the UK after four days of trying to get customs paperwork”.

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

The charity has four more tonnes of donated goods ready to be transported to the continent, but fears this will be complicated by further customs wrangles.

Other aid organisations have appealed for financial contributions rather than specific donated items, partly because of complicated and costly transport.

Government advice is to donate money through the Disasters Emergency Committee or other trusted charities.

Whitehall is now being called to clarify guidance for trucks carrying humanitarian goods across their borders.

In a statement, HM Revenue & Customs said: “Anyone requiring advice about transporting humanitarian aid to Ukrainian refugees can contact the free-to-use Export Support Service (ESS) or ESS helpline 0300 303 8955 which can be used by individuals, businesses or charities.

“The UK has committed a £120 million humanitarian aid package for Ukraine to help aid agencies respond to the deteriorating situation, creating a lifeline for Ukrainians with access to basic necessities and medical supplies.

“Our humanitarian aid takes the UK’s overall aid support for Ukraine during the current crisis to £220 million, after a £100 million economic package for Ukraine was announced earlier this month.”

The Dutch Embassy in the UK says customs procedures in the Netherlands have been temporarily simplified for Ukraine aid arriving from the UK.

“Humanitarian relief goods are now treated as non-commercial goods, so that they can be transported without delay,” it tweeted.

On Friday, the government advised people to send money to aid organisations rather than risk obstructing supply chains with physical donatios.