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Al Basma Express provides a service Al Basma Express that starts with listing the furniture, appliances and cartons, then choosing the packing level and the transport method, preparing the packing list, and organizing the loading, the tracking and the delivery inside Lebanon. This article explains how the service is built realistically and what should appear in the quote.
⚡ The summary in 30 seconds
Don’t choose a shipping company on a quick promise or a per-kilo price alone. Start with a clear survey, decide whether your shipment needs full or consolidated shipping, choose the packing by the sensitivity of the pieces, and ask for a quote that explains the transport method, the expected route, the storage, the clearance and the final delivery.
The core services the customer needs
Moving complete furniture
Disassembly, numbering, packing, loading, delivery and basic reassembly according to the package.
Shipping cartons and bags
An economical solution for students, expatriates and small quantities through consolidated shipping.
Moving offices
An inventory by department, moving devices and files, and reducing the downtime.
Shipping sensitive pieces
Wooden crates, documentation and insurance for glass, antiques and paintings.
Start from the decision to move, not from the shipping price
Before contacting any company, set the reason for the shipping and the nature of the arrival. Are you moving permanently? Are you sending furniture to a summer home? Is the shipment only cartons and bags? Is the Lebanon address ready or will you need storage? These questions change the type of vehicle, the shipping method, the documents, the packing method and the delivery time.
A customer who sets the result they want gets a more precise quote. The phrase “I want to ship furniture to Lebanon” doesn’t make clear whether the delivery is to the warehouse or inside the unit, nor whether the assembly is included, nor whether there are pieces that won’t fit in the elevator.
Sorting the furniture before the survey
It may not be economical to ship everything in the home. Compare the piece’s value, condition and suitability for the new home with the cost of dismantling, packing and moving it. Some pieces deserve moving for their value or because they’re hard to replace, while selling a huge old piece may be better than paying to ship it.
Split the belongings into essential, high-value, replaceable and unused. After that, photograph only what will move. This sorting reduces the volume and prevents the price changing on execution day.
An on-site survey or a video survey
A video survey works for small apartments if the filming is thorough, while villas, offices and custom-made pieces need an on-site visit. The supervisor records the pieces’ dimensions, the number of boxes, the difficulty of the entrances, the floor, the elevator and the sensitive pieces.
Anything that doesn’t show during the survey may affect the price and the schedule. So the storerooms, balconies, appliances, bags and the items not yet packed must be shown.
Why is the volumetric size more important than the number of rooms?
A small apartment may hold a huge wardrobe, a marble table and several appliances, while a larger apartment holds light, dismantlable furniture. What matters is the space the shipment takes after disassembly and packing.
Calculating by volume helps in choosing the vehicle, the container or the consolidated shipping space. And the volume can be reduced by dismantling the suitable pieces and getting rid of the unnecessary ones.
Choosing the service level
The basic service may cover the transport only, while the complete service covers the disassembly, packing, inventory, loading, delivery and basic assembly. The fully managed move adds storage, coordination with the building and special protection for luxury pieces.
Choose the level by your time, your experience and the sensitivity of your belongings, and don’t pay for services you don’t need or skip necessary ones.
Packing built on the risks
Wood fears scratches and friction, glass fears impact and pressure on the edges, fabrics are affected by dust and moisture, and appliances are damaged by movement or the wrong position.
Materials such as felt, cardboard, bubble wrap, corners, stretch film and wooden crates are used according to the type of piece. Packing quality depends on the design and the securing.
Bedrooms and wardrobes
The wardrobes and beds are photographed before the disassembly, the panels numbered, and the screws and hinges kept in bags carrying the same code. The edges and glossy surfaces are protected, and mirrors and delicate doors separated where needed.
The wardrobe’s dimensions must be compared with the elevator and corridors in the Lebanese home before shipping. Moving a piece that doesn’t suit the new place doubles the cost.
Sofas, majlis seating and soft furnishings
The cushions and removable legs are separated, and a clean layer placed over the fabric before the outer insulation. The stretch film mustn’t press the foam or leave marks.
The corners and wooden bases are protected, and no weights are placed on long majlis pieces. And if there’s a storage stage, moisture and dust must be kept out.
Glass, mirrors and marble
The protection starts at the edges, then the piece is wrapped and secured upright. Marble surfaces need support that prevents bending, and large paintings and mirrors may need a wooden crate.
Direction and fragile marks are put on, but the real protection comes from the securing and from preventing pressure and careless handling.
Electrical appliances
Fridges are emptied, cleaned and dried, washing machines prepared per the manufacturer’s instructions, and screens moved upright. Cables and remotes are separated and numbered.
It’s better to photograph the appliance working and record its serial number. After arrival it isn’t switched on before the manufacturer’s instructions are followed.
Land freight
It’s used for furniture, cartons and cars when the operating conditions allow the shipment to pass through a land transit route. Routes running through Jordan and Syria to Lebanon are referred to, but this route varies with the crossings being open, the regulations and the conditions.
The advantage is the possibility of a door-to-door service in some cases; the challenge is depending on more than one crossing and country, so a duration shouldn’t be fixed before reviewing the actual situation.
Sea freight
It suits containers, large furniture and commercial goods when the sea route is more stable or more suitable. The shipment may move from a Saudi port to a Lebanese port, then be distributed inland.
The duration is usually longer, but sea freight suits large volumes. The port, handling, storage and final delivery fees must be known.
Air freight
It suits documents, urgent parcels, samples and small high-value needs. It isn’t usually economical for large furniture because the volumetric weight raises the cost.
The permitted materials and the packing suited to air travel must be confirmed, along with the pickup and delivery points inside Lebanon.
The packing list and the documents
The file usually needs the sender’s and consignee’s details, a packing list, identity or residence documents and papers that differ with the shipping method and the nature of the contents.
The company helps with the preparation, but the customer is responsible for the accuracy of the data. The boxes must be described in clear terms, avoiding writing “assorted items” on everything.
Possible exemptions for used furniture
Specific exemptions for a final return or a change of residence are widely talked about. These points need official verification with the competent authorities at the time of shipping, because the conditions, the documents and the customs valuation may change.
Don’t rely on a verbal promise of exemption. Ask for an official list of documents and know the difference between used personal furniture and a commercial shipment.
Prohibited or restricted materials
Don’t put medicines, foods, chemicals, liquids, batteries or special devices inside the boxes without checking the conditions.
Declaring early protects the whole shipment. Hiding a small item may lead to the boxes being opened, delayed or refused.
Insurance and documentation
Ask for a policy explaining the cover, the exclusions, how used pieces are valued and the period for filing a claim. The phrase “full guarantee” or “zero risk” in an advert isn’t enough.
Photograph the high-value pieces before the packing, link the photos to the inventory codes, and inspect them at the handover with the supervisor present.
Shipping to Beirut
Beirut has towers, crowded streets and limited parking. The service elevator must be booked, the hours trucks may enter known, and the corridors protected.
The address must include the area, the building, the floor, the geographic location and the concierge’s or management’s instructions.
Shipping to Mount Lebanon
Some mountain areas need a vehicle suited to the road, the slopes and the entrances. The weather, the route and the room to maneuver must also be reviewed.
Large villas need a distribution and assembly plan, while apartments may need an external hoist if the entrances are narrow.
Shipping to Tripoli and the north
The distribution stage after the shipment enters Lebanon must be counted, along with knowing whether the delivery is direct or through a warehouse.
In consolidated shipping, the distribution date, the number of handling stages and the separation system between shipments must be known.
Shipping to Sidon and the south
The distance, the road conditions and the buildings differ, so the final address must appear in the quote. The delivery plan may change with the operating and security situation.
It’s better to have a substitute person to receive, with the location and arrival instructions shared.
Shipping to the Bekaa and Zahle
The inland areas need the distance, the entrances and the weather calculated, and they may suit a truck or a distribution vehicle different from Beirut.
The large pieces’ dimensions are checked against the entrances, and it’s set whether the assembly happens the same day.
.Moving offices and companies
It starts with an inventory by department, numbering the desks and devices, and setting what must work first. The servers and networks are coordinated with the IT team.
The commercial building’s permits and the temporary storage place are reviewed, and the sensitive files separated from the general furniture.
Shipping the archive and documents
The files are packed in small numbered boxes, and a code is used for the department and the period without exposing sensitive information.
Important original documents may need a separate route or air freight depending on the priority.
Moving shops and showrooms
The shelving, display fronts and point-of-sale devices are arranged by the installation sequence, and the basic structure loaded so it can come out first.
The trip may be split into fitting-out and goods, and the commercial papers must be separated from the personal belongings.
Temporary storage
The customer may need to store the furniture before the housing is ready. The warehouse’s nature, the period, the fees and how the belongings can be reached must be known.
Documents, medicines and daily needs aren’t stored. Wood and fabrics need a dry, clean place.
What sets the price?
The price is affected by the volumetric size, the weight, the shipping method, the number of pieces, the packing level, the type of vehicle or container, the number of handling stages, the storage, the clearance and the final address.
So there’s no single price for every apartment and no fixed per-kilo price that suits every shipment. The precise quote comes after the survey.
How do you compare companies’ quotes?
Compare the disassembly, packing, loading, shipping method, storage, clearance, delivery, assembly, insurance and waiting, not the final figure alone.
A quote may look cheaper but not include delivery inside the unit, or rely on long consolidated shipping, or exclude the port fees.
Cutting the cost intelligently
Sorting the belongings, dismantling the suitable pieces, choosing consolidated shipping for small quantities, and preparing the documents and the address all reduce the cost.
Don’t save through weak boxes or less protection for glass and appliances; real saving is in the volume, the time and the handling.
The execution day’s plan
The supervisor confirms the list of what will move and what will stay, and the customer sets aside an area for the documents, medicines and personal items. The crew starts with the least-used rooms.
Having one person authorized to give instructions prevents conflicts. Children and pets should also be kept away from the work area.
The first days’ box
It holds clothes, chargers, bedding, cleaning supplies, essential medicines and some eating utensils. It stays nearby and easy to reach.
The passports, documents, jewelry and important keys stay with the customer and don’t enter the furniture shipment.
Handling buildings without an elevator
The floor, the stairway’s width and the turns must be stated before the pricing. The pieces may need more dismantling, extra workers or an external hoist.
Discovering that on delivery day causes waiting and cost, so the entrances are measured early.
Removing the packing waste
It must be set whether the service covers collecting the cardboard and plastic and taking them out. Some buildings impose their own rules for waste.
Collecting the materials as you go keeps the corridors clear and makes the assembly easier.
Reviewing the assembly and the handover
The doors, drawers and the stability of the beds and tables are tested, and the fittings and screws reviewed. The sensitive pieces are opened with the supervisor present.
Any remark is recorded with photos and a written record before the crew leaves.
Measuring the furniture and the entrances before loading
Record the width and height of the wardrobe, the sofa and the table, then compare them with the dimensions of the unit’s door, the elevator and the stairs in Lebanon. A piece may be movable but not fit through the new home’s entrance. Discovering that early allows it to be dismantled further, altered or excluded. The measurements also help in estimating the volumetric size and choosing the type of vehicle or container.
And the elevator door in Beirut’s older buildings is usually narrower than the apartment door, so both are measured rather than one.
Organizing clothes and personal items
Everyday clothes travel in dry boxes, and wardrobe boxes are used for suits and formal wear. Shoes are separated, and perfumes or liquids aren’t placed with the clothes. The boxes can be arranged by family member, season and room, which makes the unpacking easier.
And winter clothes need more space in the boxes, and Lebanon genuinely needs them unlike Riyadh, so they aren’t excluded on the assumption they’re unnecessary.
Kitchen tools and breakable materials
Cups and plates are wrapped individually or in small groups, with dividers used inside the box. Heavy items go at the bottom, and huge boxes that make carrying dangerous aren’t used. Knives and sharp tools are separated in a solid wrap.
And open containers or liquids aren’t shipped, because any leak inside a sea container stays for weeks before it’s discovered.
Moving books and bookcases
Books are heavy, so they’re packed in small or medium boxes. The bookcase’s parts and shelves are numbered, and the fixings kept in a bag carrying the same code. Rare books need protection from moisture, while avoiding sealing any moisture inside the box.
And books go in small boxes rather than large ones, because a large box of paper can tear from its base during lifting.
Pianos and very heavy pieces
A piano, metal cabinets and large marble need trolleys, lifting means and enough workers. The plan starts with measuring the corridors and the parking point, and setting whether the piece needs a hoist or partial dismantling.
And a piano travels on a dedicated trolley and isn’t rested on its side; it needs the corridor and the stairs’ angle measured before execution day.
Furniture that has been repaired before
The supervisor must be told about any previous repair to a table leg, a wardrobe back or replaced glass. These points may be weaker than the rest of the frame and need support or separate dismantling. The condition is photographed before the move.
And a piece that has been repaired before is photographed prior to the move, so the old mark isn’t confused with any new remark at the handover.
Protecting the floors and walls
Floor protection runs and corner covers are used, and the elevator’s walls protected where needed. In towers the management may ask for a deposit or specific protective materials. Pieces mustn’t be dragged along the ground.
And in Lebanon’s older buildings the marble stairs and the iron banister are recurring friction points, so they’re covered before the carrying starts.
Handling a change of address
If the delivery address in Lebanon changes, the company must be told immediately. The new address may change the distance, the type of vehicle, the elevator and the permits. The cost and schedule are reviewed in writing.
And changing the address after the shipment has sailed may mean redirection fees from the port, so it’s reported as soon as it’s known rather than on arrival.
The customer’s absence at arrival
An authorized person is appointed who knows the inventory list, the room plan and the limits of the signing authority. The customer can follow the handover by video, but someone must be present to take the decisions.
And the authorized person’s name and number are recorded inside the service offer in advance, not in an urgent call on delivery day.
Shipping in peak seasons
Requests rise in the summer, at the end of leases and in the travel seasons. Booking early leaves time for the survey and the documents and gives more options in the dates and the shipping methods.
And the summer season raises demand on the Lebanon route because of expatriates returning, so it’s booked weeks ahead rather than days.
Reverse shipping from Lebanon to Riyadh
The same principles apply in the reverse direction: survey, sorting, packing, inventory, documents and a final address. But the price, the route and the duration shouldn’t be assumed identical.
And the difference in the reverse direction is the documents and the importer’s status; the packing and the inventory stay as they are.
The after-delivery service
The service doesn’t end when the last box is put down. There must be a channel for recording remarks and reviewing the inventory and the pieces needing adjustment or follow-up. Having a written procedure makes the handling faster.
And recording a remark two days later is harder to prove, so it’s documented with photos in the handover record before the crew leaves.
Signs of a professional moving crew
Professionalism shows in the crew arriving with the right materials and tools, having a supervisor, using codes, protecting the place, and carrying the furniture rather than dragging it. It also shows in reviewing the inventory before closing.
And a professional crew arrives with the packing materials complete rather than buying them from the nearest shop after the work has started.
Documenting any change to the agreement
Adding boxes, changing the date, or adding storage, assembly or a hoist must be written down and reach the execution crew. A verbal agreement may not pass between the office, the driver and the workers.
And a WhatsApp message is enough as documentation; what matters is that the change reaches the supervisor himself rather than a sales employee.
Building a realistic timeline
Start from the date you take over the housing in Lebanon then work backwards: booking the building, choosing the shipping method, the packing day, the survey, the sorting and the documents. Leave a margin for the crossing, the port or the flight.
And the schedule is built from the date you take over the housing in Lebanon working backwards, not from the loading day forwards.
Planning the order for opening the boxes after arrival
All the boxes shouldn’t be opened at once. Start with the beds, bedding and the essential bathroom and kitchen tools, then the clothes and appliances, and leave the books and décor until the end.
And opening just one box per room on the first night is better than opening ten and then searching among them the next day.
Handling Beirut’s older buildings
Some older buildings have narrow stairs and small elevators or no elevator at all. The entrances must be measured and the need for extra dismantling or a hoist identified.
And many of Beirut’s older buildings have no service elevator, so the floor charge is counted in the quote rather than on execution day.
Handling the mountain areas
The mountain roads may need a smaller vehicle or a driver used to the route. The location and photos must be shared, along with knowing the road’s condition and where the vehicle can turn and park.
And in the mountain areas a large truck may not reach the home’s door, so a smaller vehicle for the final stage is counted from the start.
Delivering to a home that isn’t ready
If the painting, flooring or electricity isn’t finished, temporary storage may be better than bringing the furniture into a site exposed to dust or damage.
And delivering to a home that isn’t ready means handling twice, which makes organized storage cheaper than insisting on the original date.
Shipping students’ and expatriates’ belongings
The shipment is usually bags, books, clothes and small devices. Consolidated shipping suits it, with small boxes for the books and the student keeping the documents and medicines.
And a student’s shipment is usually a limited number of cartons, so shared shipping suits it better than booking a full container.
Managing a shipment in two batches
The customer may send the non-essential furniture first then the daily needs later. That reduces the pressure of a single day but may increase the cost and the handling.
And two-batch shipping is always compared with the cost of temporary storage before the decision, because the difference isn’t obvious.
Choosing a full or a shared container
A full container suits large volumes and gives greater separation, while a shared container reduces the cost for small shipments. The consolidation system and the fees must be known.
And a shared container is cheaper but it’s tied to a consolidation schedule that may add weeks before sailing, and that’s settled before booking.
Handling a delay at the port
Sea freight may be affected by the ships’ schedules, the inspection and the storage. The possible fees if the clearance is delayed must be known, along with who is responsible for the documents.
And exceeding the free allowance period at the port incurs daily demurrage, one of the costs that surprise customers most.
The importance of the bill of lading
The transport document sets out the sender’s and consignee’s details, the shipment’s nature and its route. The names, the counts and the destination must be reviewed before it’s issued, and a digital copy kept.
And the bill of lading is the document proving ownership of the shipment at the handover, so a digital copy is kept by the customer.
Commercial shipping kept separate from personal furniture
Goods for sale shouldn’t be mixed with personal household furniture under one description. Each category has different documents and treatment, and mixing them may affect the clearance and the cost.
And mixing commercial goods with personal furniture in one list may subject the whole shipment to different treatment, so they’re always separated.
Handling antiques and inherited pieces
These pieces need photos, an estimated value and a dedicated crate, and perhaps extra documents depending on their nature. They shouldn’t be described simply as “décor” if they hold value.
And inherited pieces are valued and documented before loading, because proving their value after damage is far harder than protecting them beforehand.
Preparing the car for shipping
If the service includes a car, it’s photographed from all sides with the odometer, the fuel and the scratches recorded, and emptied of personal items. The transport method, the documents and the handover are set separately from the furniture.
And bringing a car into Lebanon is subject to customs conditions that differ from furniture’s, so they’re checked with the official authorities before booking.
Reviewing the delivery address in detail
The governorate, the city, the district, the street, the building, the floor, the geographic location and the consignee’s number must be set. An incomplete address causes a delay in the distribution.
And an address in Lebanon is written by the area, the building, the floor and a landmark, because street names aren’t always enough to get there.
Handling narrow roads
A large truck may only reach a nearby point, then a smaller vehicle is used. The extra handling must be counted along with protecting the pieces and knowing who bears the cost.
And in narrow streets the nearest parking point that allows the carrying without blocking traffic is identified, and a photo of it sent in advance.
Booking the elevator and the parking spot
Booking the service elevator or arranging the parking spot prevents the crew waiting and reduces the fees. The date must be confirmed before the arrival and the building’s instructions sent to the company.
And the elevator and the parking spot are booked at least two days ahead, because many buildings don’t allow unloading without coordination.
The final inspection before signing
The inventory list is matched, the sensitive pieces opened, the drawers and doors tested, and the appliances reviewed visually. The remarks are recorded before signing.
And the inspection happens before signing the handover record rather than after, because recording a remark later becomes harder to prove.
Organizing the photos and documents
Keep the survey, packing, inventory, contract and bill of lading photos in one folder named after the shipment. The organization makes reaching them easier during the follow-up or a claim.
And the inventory photos and documents are kept in one folder on the phone, not scattered between chats and messages.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the best shipping method to Lebanon?
It depends on the shipment’s size, the speed and the operating conditions.
Is there a fixed land route?
The route is affected by the state of the crossings, the regulations and the conditions.
Can a single carton be shipped?
Yes, through consolidated shipping when it’s available.
Is the price by the kilo?
Weight may be used in some services, but furniture also depends on the volumetric size.
Does the price include the clearance?
It depends on the quote, and what’s included must be specified.
Is used furniture exempt?
There may be conditions or exemptions, and they must be verified officially.
Can the furniture be stored?
Yes, once the type of warehouse, the period and the fees are agreed.
Is the assembly done in Lebanon?
It can be included depending on the package.
Does the service reach Tripoli and Sidon?
Delivery can be arranged according to the address and the route.
When should I book?
Booking early is better for large shipments or ones tied to a managed building.
Case study: an apartment move to Beirut
A family moving a three-bedroom apartment’s contents to a building in Beirut’s Achrafieh. The survey is done by video, and it shows the building has no service elevator and the staircase is spiral, so the large wardrobe is dismantled into panels and a glass table that won’t get round the turn is excluded. A shared container is chosen, the boxes numbered by room, and the unloading day booked for the morning before the street gets busy.
The lesson here is that a video survey is enough for straightforward apartments, provided the staircase and the entrance are filmed and not the rooms alone.
Case study: a villa to Mount Lebanon
A villa in Mount Lebanon receiving a whole home’s contents from Riyadh. An on-site survey is carried out because of the majlis and the marble tables, and a full container is dedicated. And because the mountain road is narrow, the load moves from the port on a medium truck then on a smaller vehicle for the last two kilometers. A room plan is prepared before the arrival.
The lesson here is that the final stage in mountain areas is planned from the booking, not after the container reaches the port.
Case study: an office to Beirut
An office moving its devices and files to a building in central Beirut. The devices are numbered by department, the servers moved in dedicated crates, and the elevator booked outside working hours. The accounting department starts working before the rest of the desks are assembled.
The lesson here is that an office moves in operating order rather than room order, so what the staff need the next morning is unloaded first.
Case study: a student’s cartons to Tripoli
A student returning to Tripoli with books, clothes and personal devices. Small boxes are used for the books, consolidated shipping is chosen instead of a full container, and the documents and laptop stay with him on the plane.
The lesson here is that a small shipment doesn’t need a container, but it does need strict numbering so it doesn’t get mixed with other shipments at consolidation.
Case study: luxury furniture to Sidon
A shipment to Sidon holding a marble table, a large painting and handmade rugs. Wooden crates are made for the painting and the marble, the pieces documented with photos and a valuation before loading, and the delivery coordinated with the homeowner personally rather than a representative.
The lesson here is that high-value pieces are valued and documented before loading, because proving their value after damage is harder than protecting them beforehand.
Case study: temporary storage before the delivery
A family whose lease in Riyadh ends a month before the home in Lebanon is ready. The contents are split into what goes into storage and what travels with the family, separate codes are used for the two groups, then the shipping date is set once the key handover is confirmed.
The lesson here is that temporary storage is planned from the start rather than when the delivery becomes impossible, so the shipment isn’t moved twice for no reason.
Case study: a large sea shipment
A large sea shipment holding a whole home’s furniture, appliances and belongings. A full container is booked, moisture-absorbing bags are used because of the long sea trip, and the free allowance period at the port is checked before sailing to avoid demurrage.
The lesson here is that sea freight is planned in weeks rather than days, and that the cost of waiting at the port may exceed the price difference between the options.
Case study: an urgent air shipment
A customer needing documents, devices and limited clothing delivered within days. Air freight is chosen for that group only, while the large furniture stays in a later sea shipment, so the order is split into two routes with two different dates.
The lesson here is that air freight doesn’t suit a whole home, but it solves the first days’ problem when the customer arrives before their shipment.
In summary
The success of shipping and moving furniture from Riyadh to Lebanon starts before the shipment moves: sorting the furniture, a precise survey, suitable packing, choosing the transport method by the actual conditions, clear documents, and an organized final address. With Al Basma Express the service can be designed by the shipment’s size, the delivery city and the level of protection required.
