Priority Items for Romania
The information on this page has been withdrawn pending revision.
Please do not prepare any aid until the new guidelines have been published.
The list below indicates items that are acceptable to the Romanian authorities and which meet the priority needs of the people that we are helping. All items must be in a clean and serviceable condition.
Please do not send prescription medicines. These drugs are potentially dangerous if misused. AN does not have the expertise or the legal authority to distribute them safely and local pharmacies cannot accept them. Disposal becomes a serious problem and they are a waste of precious load space.
Non-prescription medicines, vitamins, energy drinks and unused items such as bandages or syringes are no longer acceptable.
Please also refer to the exclusions list at the foot of this page.
Summary of Priority Items
The list of priority items has been amended in accordance with the new customs regulations.
The following items can be received for packing, or delivered directly to our warehouses:
| Item | Condition or Quality | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Clothing: All types of clothing for children and adults, excluding second-hand socks and underwear. |
Would you wear it yourself? The Romanian climate is more severe – both hotter and colder – than in the UK and we have limited facilities for washing or repairing garments. |
Second-hand clothing for children under 12 months must be separately wrapped. New, wrapped items of underwear and babywear are welcome. |
| Footwear | In fully serviceable condition. | No more than 25% visible wear. |
| Bedding, including duvets, pillows and blankets. | Clean and in good condition. | If possible, duvets and pillows should be compressed before packing, to take up less space. |
| Household linen including curtains, towels, table cloths. | Clean and in good condition. | Matched sets should be packed as one item. |
| Textiles and Sewing Materials: Wool, knitting needles, sewing items |
Clean and in good condition. | Knitted blankets are needed during the winter. Knitted squares can provide therapy for the housebound. |
| Toys: small toys, larger toys, games and sports equipment. | Clean, complete and in good condition. Jigsaw puzzles to be simple and less than 500 pieces. |
No second-hand toys for children under age 3 months. No games requiring complex language skills. |
| Spectacles, hearing aids | Clean and in good condition. |
The following items should be delivered direct to our warehouses, preferably by prior arrangement:
| Item | Condition or Quality | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Beds and Mattresses Also cots, children’s beds and bunks. |
Clean and in good condition. Limited demand for double beds but convertible bed-settees are very popular. |
Dismantled beds should have all parts labelled and their fixing attached. Mattresses should be wrapped for transport. |
| Electrical Items: | No electrical items except laptop computers Computers must be suitable for Microsoft or Linux systems, Mac computers are not required. |
Ensure all software and data have been removed! |
| Stationery: Paper, Pens, Pencils, Colouring books, Crayons | Suitable for families with school children or for giving directly to schools. | These items are valuable because children may be refused lessons if they do not have the proper equipment. |
| Household Goods, Kitchen equipment | Cooking utensils, saucepans and crockery only. All to be in good condition. Ensure that all breakables are adequately packed. | No other household items or bric-a-brac. |
| Bicycles for adults and children, tricycles, scooters | Clean and in good condition. Spare parts – chains, brake parts, bike locks, etc, are also useful. | Items requiring repairs cannot be accepted |
| Tools for use in gardening, woodworking, house maintenance or car repairs | Clean and in good condition. Surface rust and minor signs of use are acceptable. | We can sharpen if necessary. Ensure that all cutting edges are adequately protected. |
| Furniture: Tables, dining chairs, desks, stacking chairs. |
Clean, complete and in good condition. No woodworm or structural damage! | No requirement for easy chairs, suites, wardrobes. Space for furniture is limited. Assembled flat-pack furniture usually does not survive the journey! |
| Push chairs, baby buggies | Clean and in good condition. | Include any covers, wind shields, etc. |
| Mobility Aids, wheelchairs (including electric buggies), Zimmer frames, crutches | Clean and in good condition. | Wheelchairs must be complete with handles, arm rests and foot rests attached. |
This list is not definitive and other items may be requested or accepted as needs dictate. Please contact your local co-ordinators who will be able to advise on priorities, space constraints, and transport arrangements.
A printable summary of this list can be downloaded from this link Schedule of Priority Items (.pdf) –>
Please DO NOT send the following items:
- Prescription Medicines or specialised medical equipment.
- Used underwear or socks. Clothing with political or provocative designs.
- Dirty or damaged toys, ‘plush’ toys, guns, knives, swords, etc.
- Landline telephones, TV decoders, obsolete comms equipment.
- Text books and/or novels requiring language skills in English (neu Gymraeg!)
These items cannot be donated and compromise the provision of more useful items.
