Logistics & Shipping FAQ

A freight forwarder arranges and manages the movement of your cargo, booking air, sea or land transport, consolidating shipments and handling documentation end to end. A customs broker specifically clears goods through customs, calculating duties and submitting the import or export declaration. GHO Express does both: we forward freight and, through our brokers, clear Lebanese customs in one coordinated service.

Air freight from Beirut typically reaches Middle East and European gateways in 1-3 days and intercontinental destinations in 2-5 days. Sea freight runs on weekly schedules and takes roughly 1-2 weeks within the Mediterranean and 3-6 weeks to Asia, the Americas or Oceania. Land freight to neighbouring markets takes a few days depending on the border. Door-to-door times add pickup, customs clearance and final delivery.

For most shipments you need a commercial invoice, a packing list and a transport document (air waybill, bill of lading or CMR). Depending on the commodity you may also need a certificate of origin, an import or export licence, and product-specific certificates such as phytosanitary, health or dangerous-goods declarations. Our team confirms the exact checklist for your goods and destination before booking so nothing stalls at the border.

Incoterms are standardised trade terms (published by the ICC) that define who pays for and controls each leg of a shipment and where risk transfers from seller to buyer. Common terms include EXW, FCA, FOB, CFR, CIF, CPT, CIP, DAP and DDP. FCA and FOB suit buyers who arrange their own freight; DAP and DDP suit those who want a delivered price. We help you choose the Incoterm that matches your control, cost and risk preferences.

Carrier liability is limited by international convention and rarely covers the full value of your goods, so we strongly recommend separate cargo (marine) insurance. All-risk cover protects your shipment against loss or damage in transit for a small percentage of the cargo value. We can arrange insurance as part of your quote, tell us the commodity and insured value and we will include it.

Yes. Our physical offices are in Lebanon, our Beirut headquarters and our airport cargo office, and we extend full door-to-door service worldwide through our global partner and agent network. We manage the Lebanon leg directly (pickup, packing, export clearance, booking) and coordinate import clearance and final delivery at destination through vetted agents. We do not operate our own offices abroad; we partner locally instead.