Lebanon - Standard Operating Procedures for Common Services, May 2026

Content

GENERAL OVERVIEW

This document provides an overview of the logistics services made available through the Logistics and Telecommunications Cluster (LTC) led by the World Food Programme, for humanitarian actors responding to the crisis in Lebanon to access warehousing and convoy coordination services and the conditions under which these services are to be provided. This document is updated regularly depending on field conditions; it is the responsibility of service users to check the last version of the document before submitting their requests. The Logistics and Telecommunications Cluster reserve the right to reject or put requests on hold at any time if field conditions do not allow the proper implementation of the below.

The objective of these services is to enable responding organisations to establish an uninterrupted supply chain that supports the delivery of humanitarian relief items to the affected population in Lebanon. These services are not intended to replace the logistics capacities of other organisations, nor are they meant to compete with the commercial market. Rather, they are intended to fill identified gaps and provide a last-resort option in case other service providers are not available.

The services contained in this document will be made available to the humanitarian community and may be reviewed based on the operational context, previously identified common gaps, access and security constraints, and availability of resources. 

KEY NOTES TO USERS

1. There should only be one Service Request Form (SRF) per location of origin and destination, and the user should not include multiple pick-up locations or multiple destinations on one SRF.
2. Requestors should attach as much relevant and required documentation to online SRFs at the time of submission.
3. Any communication, request for information, and all documentation related to service requests not attached to the originally submitted online SRF should be sent to lebanon.clustercargo@wfp.org.
4. A single SRF can be used for multiple services (storage and transport). However, a single SRF should only be submitted for a single consignment.  
5. Services will be provided, pending the conditions of security and access.
6. Services will be provided in accordance with the priorities set by the Inter-Cluster Coordination Group. As a guiding principle, priority will be given to requests related to lifesaving and emergency response activities.
7. Only UN Agencies, International Humanitarian Organisations, and International or National Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) operating in Lebanon – either directly or through a cooperating partner – are eligible to use these services (“Service Users”). 
8. Insurance for all cargo stored or transported will remain the responsibility of the Service User in all cases.
9. The service provider assumes no responsibility for any loss or damage to the goods transported or stored. All transported or stored goods are subject to quality assurance requirements of LTC and applicable rules and regulations.
10. Pending funding availability, services will be provided at no cost to the user. 

OVERVIEW OF SERVICES

Transport Services

The Logistics and Telecommunications Cluster will be facilitating access to convoy services:

• From Beirut and Zahle, or other locations, as determined by operational needs, to conflict affected areas in Lebanon via 5- or 10-ton trucks.
• From Jordan (Amman) to Lebanon (Beirut), or other locations within Lebanon, as determine by operational needs and storage availability or direct collection by partner organisations. 

For all transport services:

• All movement will require humanitarian notification, facilitated by WFP.
• Cargo movement will be contingent on security and availability of resources.
• Delivery locations will not be ad-hoc. Delivery locations will be agreed upon and communicated at least 5 days in advance. 

Temporary Storage and Consolidation Services

• Storage services are currently available in the following locations:

REQUESTING SERVICES

• Service users are required to submit a Service Request Form (SRF) by filling the online Service Request Form (SRF). SRFs must be submitted a minimum of 4 days before cargo delivery at the consolidation/common storage warehouse facility. Partners are asked to submit requests as soon as possible, indicating the estimated cargo arrival date and notifying the LTC via the online request form as soon as the cargo dimensions are known.
• NOTE: An accepted SRF does not mean that all cargo contained in the SRF will be accepted at the same time! An accepted SRF means that the cargo falls in line with the LTC Concept of Operations and that the user is in line with the terms of service. Actual items/volumes and quantities to be stored or transported will be coordinated with the Service User after acceptance.
• Service Users must submit accurate cargo dimensions. If a requestor submits incorrect weights, volumes, quantities or cargo contents through the SRF, cargo can and will be rejected at either the warehouse level or at the time of pick up. For details on how to determine cargo dimensions, please consult this guide. To assist with calculate your dimensions, please reference the cargo dimension calculator.
• Once the SRF has been submitted online, the requestor will receive an automatic email at the email address provided at the time of submission to verify and finalise the request. This step is necessary to confirm the submission of the SRF.
• A single SRF for the Temporary Storage or Pick-up and Transport Services can have only:
  • One location where the cargo will be handed over for service(s) to start (in the “FROM” field)
  • One date when cargo will be handed over for service(s) (in the “DATE READY FOR MOVEMENT” field)
  • One location where the cargo will be handed back when service(s) to end (in the “TO” field)

NOTE: General instructions for completing the SRF can be found at:

Online Service Request Form (SRF) User Instructions

• All service users are encouraged to provide their organisation’s PO Number(s) or any other internal reference number for the cargo (in the “Owner Reference” field) to facilitate the tracking of their goods.
• The LTC will send an automatic notification email to confirm the reception of the SRF and will either: 
  • Request additional clarification or documentation required.
  • Send a notification email with the Consignment details and a 9-digit Tracking Code to the Service User.  
• Once requests have been fully accepted, requestors will receive an automatically generated QR code shipping label. This shipping label contains vital information to help us keep track of our cargo. All cargo picked up by WFP trucks or delivered to LTC warehouse must have a printed copy of the label properly attached to the outside of the pallet/cargo items in a visible location.

NOTE: At this point, no commitment has been made to provide the service as requested. Please see the below.

• The LTC will review and accept or cancel the request according to the specific conditions of the common logistics services provided.
• The Service User can track the status of cargo by using the online tracking system with the tracking number provided by the LTC. 

CARGO TRANSPORT SERVICES

Transport services offered inside of Lebanon:

• The Logistics and Telecommunications Cluster is currently facilitating access to convoys traveling from Beirut and Zahle or other locations as determined by operational needs, to conflict affected areas.
• Partners wishing to utilize common transport to conflict affected areas must submit a service request form to the LTC indicating the Logistics Cluster Warehouse Karantina or Zahle Logistics Cluster Warehouse CEVA (or their own storage facility if agreed upon in advance) as the starting location, and the final delivery point as the planned destination of the convoy.
  • Service request forms must be submitted no less than 4 days prior to any planned convoy.
  • Unaccepted requests cannot be actioned. If cargo from an unaccepted request is delivered to a Logistics Cluster Warehouse Karantina/Zahle Warehouse CEVA it can and will be rejected. 
• Convoy delivery locations will be identified in advance and shared with the community via a convoy schedule.
• It is the responsibility of the Service User to ensure that the ultimate recipient of the shipment is available and at the agreed upon delivery location at the agreed upon time of delivery.
  • If no recipient can be identified, cargo will be returned to the Logistics Cluster Warehouse Karantina/Zahle Warehouse CEVA.
  • Returned cargo must be picked up by the original requestor, and any returned cargo will not be considered priority for the next outbound shipment. 
• All vehicles transporting cargo in LTC provided transport services will be branded with the Logistics Cluster and WFP banners only. This is to ensure ease of loading, and to ensure security of vehicles while transit. Partners are not permitted to add branding to the outside of LTC facilitated transport vehicles.

Transport services offered from Jordan to Lebanon:

• The Logistics and Telecommunications Cluster is currently facilitating access to Jordanian Hashemite Charity Organization (JHCO) convoys traveling from Amman, Jordan, to Beirut, Lebanon, or other locations inside of Lebanon as determined by operational needs and JHCO requirements. 
• Logistics Cluster partners will not be responsible for customs clearance proceedings between Jordan and Lebanon – all customs clearance will be processed by JHCO on behalf of the partner, provided correct documentation for customs clearance has been submitted to the LTC a minimum of 5 days in advance of cargo movement. Cargo requests which are not accompanied by the correct customs documentation will be rejected. 
• Partners may be asked to supply additional documentation to JHCO to facilitate movement and customs purposes.  For instance, a detailed packing list of the cargo to be transported may be required.
• Partners wishing to utilize common transport from Jordan (Amman) to Lebanon (Beirut/Zahle) must submit a service request form to the LTC indicating the Logistics Cluster Warehouse in Amman (or their own storage facility if agreed upon in advance) as the starting location, and the final delivery point as the LTC warehouse or partner storage location in Lebanon or HRC designated Warehouse. Convoy movements must be consolidated to one destination within Lebanon, therefore any requests for partner warehouse delivery must be communicated in advance and may require transit storage in a common storage location, which may delay final date of delivery. Partners are required to communicate needs a minimum of 5 days prior to cargo movements for planning. 
  • Service request forms must be submitted no less than 5 days prior to any planned convoy.
  • Unaccepted requests cannot be actioned. If cargo from an unaccepted request is delivered to a Logistics Cluster Warehouse in Amman it can and will be rejected. 
• If cargo is delivered directly to the Service User’s location, it is the responsibility of the Service User to ensure offloading of the cargo at the agreed upon delivery location at the agreed upon time of delivery. 
  • The Service User must ensure that they have the appropriate handling equipment and personnel to safely offload cargo within the predetermined working hours.
  • Failure to offload cargo within the allocated time can result in trucks being returned while still loaded.
  • Cargo picked up from the service user’s location will be completed the day prior to the convoy departing.
• All vehicles transporting cargo in LTC facilitated transport services will not be branded or marked. Partners are not permitted to add branding to the outside of LTC facilitated transport vehicles.

For all Transport Services:

• Requests for cargo to be moved by consolidated convoy that make up more than one truckload (a total of more than 7 North American standard pallets or 10 Euro standard pallets) can be picked up directly from the requestors warehouse, so far as the Service User’s warehouse is within Beirut/Zahle limits. Acceptable locations for pick up will be considered on a case-by-case basis. In cases where the WFP vehicles are picking up cargo from a partner warehouse:
  • The partner must provide accurate pick-up location details.
  • The partner must ensure that the cargo is ready at the scheduled time of pick up.
  • The partner must ensure that the contents of the cargo match the contents of the request.
  • The partner must have the capacity to load the vehicle at the pick-up location.
  • Cargo cannot be loose or manually loaded – only pallets will be accepted on convoy vehicles.
  • Pallets must be properly wrapped and braced, and should be clearly marked with the consignment number, the sender, and the receiver of the shipment.
• All cargo for transport must be palletized. The number of pallets must be indicated at the time of submitting the service request. 
• All requestors of services that require transport of cargo volumes less than one full truckload of cargo (a total of 7 North American Standard pallets or 10Euro standard pallets) must deliver cargo to the Logistics Cluster Warehouse Karantina or Zahle Warehouse CEVA prior to the convoy. For more questions, please consult the LTC team. 
  • Cargo from an accepted request cannot be delivered to the warehouse more than 3 days (72 hours) in advance of the planned convoy.
  • Only the exact quantities and volumes agreed upon after confirmation can be delivered to the warehouse for convoy movement. 
  • Cargo owners are expected to load LTC facilitated vehicles at their own warehouses. The LTC will not be able to provide forklifts or porters.
  • Cargo arriving to the LTC facility must be palletized. For all palletized cargo:
    • Pallets cannot be more than 1.6 meters in height.
    • Pallets cannot weigh more than 700 kilograms.
    • Pallets must be properly wrapped and braced.
    • Pallets can be a maximum of North American Standard in width and length (1.02 meter by 1.22 meter).
    • Pallets must be properly marked with the cargo owner, the cargo recipient, and the consignment number. Where possible, pallets should be properly labelled with the system generated QR Code that is provided once cargo has been accepted. 
    • Further details on proper palletization can be found here.
  • Special oversized cargo (such as mattresses) may be considered on a case-by-case basis, however, please enquire in advance submitting the SRF. 
  • Once delivery details have been agreed upon, the requesting organisation should work with the LTC to establish the date and time of the cargo arrival at the warehouse; contact details and locations for the warehouse will be provided once delivery is confirmed. The requestor should also provide contact details of the transporter used for the delivery process to the LTC contact person to enable the trucks with cargo to be guided to the Logistics Cluster Warehouse(s).
• Actual movement of cargo will be contingent upon the security situation and the real-world conditions on the ground.
• Partners cannot join convoys with their own vehicle(s) at this time. 
• Any line item for transport that is considered a pharmaceutical product with temperature ranges must be clearly indicated in the SRF. If pharmaceuticals requiring transport are to be consolidated in the LTC warehouse, they may only be held for 48 hours or less.
• The LTC cannot provide access to temperature-controlled transport for any item at this time. Users wishing to transport temperature-controlled pharmaceuticals and medical devices do so at their own risk.

HOW TO USE TEMPORARY STORAGE SERVICES 

For all storage locations:

• After receiving confirmation from the Logistics and Telecomms Cluster that the request for storage has been accepted, the LTC will contact the requesting agency about the details of storage requirements. All stored cargo items can only be held for a maximum of three weeks. SRFs submitted for storage longer than the three-week period will be considered on a case-by-case basis, however the LTC reserves the right to decline request for long term cargo.
• Once delivery details have been agreed upon, the requesting organisation should work with the LTC to establish the date and time of the cargo arrival at the warehouse; contact details and locations for the warehouse will be provided once delivery is confirmed. 
• The requesting agency will need to schedule any vehicle picking up dropping off cargo at least 24 hours in advance. The requestor should also provide the following information about the persons/vehicles picking cargo up or dropping cargo off:
  • Chassis / plates.
  • Driver names, contact details of the driver (phone numbers).
  • Dates of arrival of each vehicle.
  • Additional details may be asked or required.
• If any line item in a storage request contains Dangerous Goods (DG), the appropriate Safety Data Sheet (SDS/MSDS) must be attached to the SRF, and the appropriate UN ID must be included in the SRF. SRFs may be rejected if SDS cannot be provided, or of the DG item is deemed inappropriate for the storage location. If you are unsure if your cargo is DG, please reference the DG Lookup Tool.
• The current operating hours for the facility are: 

Warehouse Karantina in Beirut:

Note: The warehouse will be closed on Sunday, and no receiving or dispatch activities will be conducted. 

Warehouse CEVA in Zahle:

Storage services offered inside of Lebanon:

• Cargo arriving to both the Logistics Cluster Warehouse Karantina and Zahle Warehouse CEVA must be palletized. For all cargo:
  • Pallets cannot be more than 1.6 meters in height.
  • Pallets cannot weigh more than 700 kilograms.
  • Pallets must be properly wrapped and braced.
  • Pallets can be a maximum of North American Standard in width and length (1.02 meter by 1.22 meter).
  • Pallets must be properly marked with the cargo owner, the cargo recipient, and the consignment number. Where possible, pallets should be properly labelled with the system generated QR Code that is provided once cargo has been accepted. 
  • Further details on proper palletization can be found here.
• Special oversized cargo (such as mattresses) may be considered on a case-by-case basis, however please enquire in advance of submitting the SRF. 
• At the time of submitting the request for storage, senders should indicate the number of incoming pallets.
• It is important that items on the SRF match the shipping documents provided by the driver upon arrival – content will be checked as cargo arrives. Shipments arriving unannounced, without a prior approved SRF, containing undeclared items, or containing items with excessively damaged or compromised packaging will be rejected. 
• The LTC will confirm receipt of the cargo in the warehouse by updating the cargo tracking system (an automatic email will be generated and sent to users).
• Partners will not be allowed to access cargo in the warehouse once it has been received, unless extraordinary circumstances require it. Any access to the warehouse will require an approved request 48 hours in advance, and additional explanation and documentation may be required.
• If any line item in a storage request contains Dangerous Goods (DG), the appropriate Safety Data Sheet (SDS/MSDS) must be attached to the SRF, and the appropriate UN ID must be included in the SRF. SRFs may be rejected if SDS cannot be provided, or of the DG item is deemed inappropriate for the storage location. If you are unsure if your cargo is DG, please reference the DG Lookup Tool.
• Any line item that is considered a pharmaceutical product with temperature ranges must be clearly indicated in the SRF. Requests for storage of pharmaceuticals in the LTC warehouse will be evaluated on a case by case basis.

In the event the partner wishes to manage their own transport from the Logistics Cluster Karantina warehouse/Zahle Warehouse CEVA, they must: 

• Submit a formal release request using the online Release Order Form (ROF). Instructions for filling out a ROF can be found here. 
• The release request should indicate the Consignment Number, number of units, volume, and tonnage of the cargo to be released, and should specify to whom the cargo should be made available. The LTC will arrange handling-out and will confirm the release of the cargo to the receiving organisation.
• Once the ROF is complete, the partner will work with the Logistic Cluster focal point to schedule the arrival of vehicles, including dates, times, and vehicle and driver details.
• Cargo pick-up must respect the working days and hours of the warehouse. 
• The LTC does not currently offer temperature-controlled medical grade storage. 

LIMITATIONS AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICES

• When providing services under these SOPs, LTC acts as agent for the service users/ requesting organisations. LTC assumes no responsibility for storage or transportation and/ or any loss or damage to the goods carried. The service users are responsible for making adequate arrangements for the insurance of their goods. LTC undertakes the services in good faith and will ensure that the services are carried out with due diligence.
• Requests are subject to the availability of resources and will be handled as per the priorities set by the Inter-Cluster Coordination Group.
• The point of contact for Lebanon inquiries related to the common logistics services described in this document is: lebanon.clustercargo@wfp.org.

LARGE AND OVER-SIZED ITEMS

• Large, long, over-sized etc. items will be handled according to available capacity.

SPECIAL CARGO 

• The LTC is only able to accept hazardous goods for transportation on a case-by-case basis. Consultation with the Logistics and Telecomms Cluster is required before submitting an SRF.