Nepal - LTC Logistics Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), 6 September 2026

Content

1. Overview

This document provides an overview of the common logistics services made available through the Logistics & Telecommunications Cluster (LTC), how to access them and the conditions under which these services are to be provided. 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 Nepal.

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 operational gaps and provide a last-resort option in case other service providers are not available, and/or existing capacity is inadequate to respond to humanitarian needs.

These services are planned to be available until 15 October 2026, with the possibility of further extension. However, partial or complete withdrawal of the services may occur prior to this date due to specific circumstances:

• Changes in the situation on the ground
• Services are no longer an agreed upon/identified need
• Funding constraints

This document is subject to regular updates based on evolving operational requirements and situational changes. Service requestors are responsible for consulting the latest version prior to submitting any requests. Updated versions will be shared on the Nepal Operations page.

The LTC 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.

2. Key Notes to Users 

Important considerations before requesting services:

1. All humanitarian organizations submitting SRFs are responsible for coordinating onward movement of cargo with their respective government counterparts. WFP will not be responsible for ensuring that each partner has proper authorization to store, transport or deliver individual agencies’ relief supplies. 
2. All SRFs must be submitted through the official request process, available online here. 
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: Nepal.ClusterCargo@wfp.org. 
4. Each Service Request Form (SRF) must be submitted for a single origin and destination pair. Users must not include multiple pick-up locations or multiple delivery destinations within the same SRF.
5. Each SRF must be submitted for a single consignment. While multiple services such as transport and storage may be requested within one SRF, this is only permitted when they apply to the same consignment.
6. Service Requestors are expected to attach all relevant and required documentation to the online SRF at the time of submission to ensure timely and accurate processing.
7. Once SRFs have been accepted, Requestors will receive automatically generated shipping labels with QR codes. All cargo arriving to LTC facilities for storage or transport must be accompanied by shipping labels. 
8. The Service User retains full responsibility for insuring all cargo during transport and storage operations. Insurance coverage must be arranged independently, as it is not provided under the scope of these logistic services.
9. The Service Provider is not liable for any loss or damage to cargo during transport or storage. All items handled must comply with relevant regulatory requirements.
10. The implementation of services is dependent on the current security conditions, which may impact scheduling, access, and operational feasibility. Service delivery is subject to the availability of secure access, transport capacity, and necessary permissions, and may be adjusted or suspended accordingly.
11. Services will be provided in accordance with the priorities set by the Government of Nepal, Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) or the Inter-Cluster Coordination Group (ICCG). As a guiding principle, priority will be given to requests related to lifesaving and emergency response activities.
12. Eligibility to access these services is limited to UN Agencies, International Humanitarian Organizations, and International or National Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) operating in Nepal and registered with OCHA. In certain cases, government entities may also qualify as Service Users.

3. Services Available 

• Temporary storage services in Kathmandu
• Air transport services from Kathmandu to affected communities in Rasuwa District. 

3.1 – Temporary Storage Service

The LTC provides warehouse space to humanitarian organizations for temporary transit cargo storage, including handling in and out, on a free-to-user basis.

• Currently storage services are currently available in the following locations: 

NOTE: Other locations for storage space will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

1. Temporary storage will be offered to humanitarian organizations in a shared facility.
2. All storage space provided is temporary up to 3 days. 
3. The availability of storage space and the duration for which it is provided may vary depending on overall usage levels.
4. Prior to delivering cargo to the storage facility, the requesting agency must receive positive confirmation from the LTC focal point.
5. For all users of storage services delivering their own cargo, users must provide the driver’s name, driver contact number, vehicle plate number(s) and estimated time of arrival at least 24 hours in advance. 
6. If additional storage time is required, the Service User must notify the LTC prior to the agreed deadline. Any extension will be subject to availability and granted at the sole discretion of the LTC.

3.2 – Transport Service

Air transport from Kathmandu to various locations in Rasuwa district provided on a free-to-user basis.

• Air delivery of cargo be utilized for the most severely inaccessible locations in Nepal, for the rapid transport of life-saving supplies. 
• Transport services can be requested for cargo:
  • Currently stored in LTC storage facilities.
  • Cargo delivered to the LTC storage facility one day prior to the transport activity. 

4. How to Access the Services

• Service users are required to submit a Service Request Form (SRF) by filling the online SRF. 
• SRFs must be submitted a minimum of 72 hours before the service date.

A single SRF for the transport services can have only:

• Date when cargo will be handed over for service(s) to begin (in the “Ready to Load Date” field)
• One location where the cargo will be handed over for service(s) to begin (in the “FROM” field in “Starting Point” section).
• If cargo items are already being stored in the HSA, you should 
• One location where the cargo will be handed back when service(s) end (in the “DELIVERED TO” field in “Destination” section)

A single SRF for the temporary storage services can have only:

• Warehouse Location where the cargo will be handed over for service(s) to begin (in the “LOCATION TO BE STORED IN” field in “Storage” section)
• Date when cargo will be handed over for service(s) to begin (in the “Beginning Date” field in “Storage” section)
• Date when cargo will be handed back when service(s) end (in the “End Date” field in “Storage” section)

NOTE: General instructions for completing the SRF can be found online here.

• Service Users are required to provide accurate cargo dimensions. If incorrect weights, volumes, quantities, or cargo contents are submitted through the SRF, the cargo may be rejected either at the warehouse or during pickup. For guidance on determining cargo dimensions, please refer to this guide. To help calculate dimensions, you can use the cargo dimension calculator.
• Service Users are encouraged to include their organization’s PO Number(s) or any other internal cargo reference in the ‘Owner Reference’ field to help facilitate tracking.
• All Service Users will be asked to agree with the LTC Conditions of Service. 
• After submitting the SRF online, the requestor will receive an automated email at the address provided during submission to verify and finalize the request. This step is required to confirm the SRF submission.

Please be advised that, at this stage, no obligation or commitment has been established to deliver the requested service.

• The LTC will acknowledge receipt of the SRF within 24 hours of receiving the request and will either: (a) request any additional clarification or documentation needed, or (b) register the SRF with a ‘New’ status and provide the Service User with a Consignment Report containing a 9-digit Tracking Code.
• The LTC will review the request and either approve or cancel it based on the specific conditions governing the provision of common logistics services within 72 hours, or where conditions on the ground permit. Any changes in status will be automatically communicated to the requestor.
• Service Users can monitor cargo status and submit release requests through the online Tracking System using the tracking number provided by the LTC using the online consignment tracking tool.
• Further inquiries regarding the consignment information should be sent to: Nepal.ClusterCargo@wfp.org.

4.1 – Temporary Storage Service 

• Upon receiving confirmation from the LTC that the request has been accepted, the requesting organization must notify the LTC of the estimated date and time of cargo arrival at the warehouse. Additionally, the requestor shall provide the contact details of the truck driver or convoy leader to the designated LTC contact to facilitate guidance of the vehicles to the warehouse.
• Organisations delivering relief cargo to the logistics hubs for temporary storage need to provide full details of the consignment and necessary documentation as detailed in the specific in-country SOPs. 
• Requesting organizations are responsible for transporting their cargo to the LTC warehouse at their own expense. Offloading and handling-in will be coordinated by the LTC.
• The LTC will confirm warehouse receipt of the cargo by updating the cargo tracking system accordingly. 
• Cargo will not be released from the warehouse unless the LTC has received a signed Release Order Form (RLO) from the requesting organization. General instructions for completing an online RLO are available here.
• The release request must include the Consignment Number, quantity of units, total volume and weight of the cargo to be released and specify the designated recipient. The LTC will coordinate handling-out and confirm the release of the cargo to the receiving organization.
• Release Order Forms (RLOs) must be submitted at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled cargo release.

4.2 – Transport Service

• When the cargo arrives at the delivery point, the receiving organization should have representation at the landing zone, and should make full preparation to receive and move cargo. If representatives of the requesting organization are not at the designated landing zone, cargo can and will be left unattended at the requested delivery location.
• All cargo for air delivery from Kathmandu must be delivered to the HSA 24 hours prior to the anticipated date of arrival. Prior delivering cargo the HSA, representatives of the LTC will confirm which cargo and what volumes should be delivered. Note: the HSA cannot necessarily accommodate the full volume of cargo spanning multiple days of delivery, meaning multiple deliveries to the HSA may be required. 
• In the event of flight delays, cargo stored at the HSA may remain at the HSA until flights can be rescheduled. In the event of significant delay or cancellation, owners of cargo may be requested to come pick up relief supplies to prevent congestion at the HSA. 
• For the transport of cargo already stored in the HSA, service users must submit an online Release Order Form (ROF), and select “request delivery location” defining the required destination. Alternatively, requests for delivery of cargo already in the HSA can be sent to Nepal.ClusterCargo@wfp.org, including the system generate consignment number or tracking code. 
• For transport requests, the final consignee, the destination and contacts must be clearly indicated on the cargo, and any special handling requirements must also be included in the request. 
• The LTC will confirm the scheduled delivery for helicopter movements once arrangements have been finalized.
• The LTC will transport the cargo and keep the organization informed regarding progress. 
• The sending organization, or the designated consignee, should confirm receipt through signing the waybill, which accompanies the cargo.

5. Conditions of Service

Use of LTC–facilitated common logistics services requires Service Users to accept the Conditions of Service. 

Under these SOPs, WFP acts solely as an agent on behalf of the requesting organizations and assumes no liability for storage, transportation, or any loss or damage to the goods. WFP will deliver services in good faith and ensure they are carried out with due diligence. 

By issuing a Service Request Form (SRF), the requestor certifies that the listed cargo is the property of a humanitarian organisation and is for humanitarian purposes only. All required documentation will be ready and complete for the listed cargo by the "Date Ready to Load" in case of Transport service, and by the "Beginning (Date)" in the case of Storage service, or whichever occurs first. 

The requesting organization declares that all the information contained in the SRF to be true and correct to the best of its knowledge. By submitting the SRF, the requesting organization affirms the Requesting Officer's authority to act on behalf of the requesting organization and accepts full responsibility for all actions and obligations arising from the service request.

1. The service provider acts as an agent for the service users.
2. The service provider assumes no responsibility for any loss or damage to the goods carried. All carried goods are subject to quality assurance requirements of WFP and applicable rules and regulations.
3. Service users are responsible for making adequate arrangements for the insurance of their goods.
4. The SRF is not a document of transport; it is used for administrative convenience and is not intended to replace, substitute or supersede the transport document that may be issued in connection with any movement under the SRF.
5. All duties and taxes assessed on the cargo listed on the SRF are responsibility of the service user and should be resolved to the satisfaction of the relevant authorities prior to the cargo being handed over by the service user or their agent to the service provider.
6. The information contained in this SRF will be treated digitally and may be hosted on a 3rd party server.

Once a request has been confirmed by the LTC team, such confirmation does not mean that a request has been accepted or approved. Requesting organizations will be notified separately once requests have been accepted.

6. Contacts and Support

The point of contact for inquiries related to the common logistics services described in this document is: Nepal.ClusterCargo@wfp.org.

CARGO PACKAGING REQUIREMENTS 

• Requesting organizations are responsible for ensuring their items have been packed in the appropriate transport container and able to handle the physical requirements of the operational transport. The LTC reserves the right to refuse cargo that has not been properly packed, as improper packing can lead to delayed transport and reduced space for other organizations. 
• Cargo containers should be properly marked with relevant information, including (but not limited to):
  • Consignment number or printed consignment shipping label and QR code
  • Name of cargo owner/Service Requesting organization
  • Name of recipient organization (if different than the cargo owner)
  • Required temperature ranges
  • Expiration dates 
  • Correct UN ID numbers and hazard labels 

LARGE AND OVER-SIZED ITEMS 

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

HAZARDOUS GOODS AND TEMPERATURE-CONTROLLED ITEMS 

• The LTC is able to accept hazardous goods on a case-by-case basis. Consultation with the LTC is required before submitting an SRF.  Service Users can look up possible dangerous goods using the Dangerous Goods Lookup Tool.
• In general, the LTC does not usually offer temperature-controlled transport or storage. However, requests would be considered on a case-by-case basis with organisations who have signed a Service Level Agreement with WFP for the provision of such specific logistics services in country.