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FAQs & GLOSSARY

  • Do you provide door-to-door service?
    Yes, we provide comprehensive door-to-door delivery services. This includes: · Pickup from the sender's location. · Freight transport by air, sea, or road. · Customs clearance. · Final delivery to the recipient's doorstep.
  • What countries do you serve?
    We operate primarily in Kenya and the East African region but also facilitate global logistics through our partnerships with leading shipping lines and airlines.
  • What documents are required for air and sea freight?
    For both air and sea freight, the following documents are typically required: · Commercial Invoice: A detailed list of the goods, including their value. · Packing List: Information on the contents, dimensions, and weight of the shipment. · Bill of Lading (BL) or Airway Bill (AWB): A transportation document issued by the carrier. · Certificate of Origin: Specifies the country where the goods were produced. · Import/Export License: If applicable, depending on the type of goods. · Customs Declaration Form: For international shipments. · Insurance Certificate: Proof of cargo insurance, if applicable.
  • Are your services insured?
    Yes, we offer cargo insurance options to protect your goods against potential risks during transit or storage.
  • What sets SO Express Limited apart from other logistics companies?
    Our focus on customer satisfaction, reliable partnerships, and tailored solutions ensures a seamless logistics experience. We combine innovation, efficiency, and a dedicated team to meet and exceed your expectations.
  • Can SO Express handle both small and large shipments?
    Absolutely. We offer flexible shipping solutions, including Full Container Load (FCL), Less than Container Load (LCL), and tailored options for various cargo sizes via road, air, or sea.
  • How do I track my shipment?
    We provide real-time tracking for all shipments. Once your cargo is in transit, you’ll receive tracking details to monitor its progress until delivery.
  • What is the procedure for customs clearance?
    The customs clearance process includes the following steps: 1. Document Submission: All necessary shipping documents are submitted to customs. 2. Customs Declaration Filing: Details of the shipment are electronically filed. 3. Inspection and Verification: Customs authorities may inspect the shipment to verify its contents. 4. Duties and Taxes Payment: Payment of any applicable duties, taxes, or fees. 5. Customs Approval: Once all requirements are met, customs releases the shipment for delivery.
  • What services does SO Express Limited offer?
    We provide a range of logistics solutions, including air freight, sea freight, warehousing, Local and cross-border transportation. Our services are designed to cater to diverse business needs and ensure seamless cargo movement.
  • Do you offer cross-border transportation?
    Yes, we specialize in overland cross-border transportation within East Africa, ensuring compliance with customs regulations and efficient delivery across borders.
  • Do you assist with customs clearance?
    Yes, we handle customs clearance for both imports and exports, ensuring all documentation and compliance requirements are managed efficiently to avoid delays.
  • What are your warehousing capabilities?
    Our warehouses are equipped to handle diverse goods, with features such as advanced security, inventory management systems, and climate control. We also offer value-added services like packing, labeling, and order fulfillment.
  • How much time does customs clearance take?
    The time required for customs clearance depends on several factors, including the type of goods, completeness of documentation, and whether the shipment is flagged for inspection. On average: · Air Freight: 1–2 business days. · Sea Freight: 2–5 business days. Delays may occur due to incomplete paperwork or regulatory issues.
  • How can I get a quote for your services?
    You can contact us through our website, email, or phone with details about your shipment requirements. Our team will provide a detailed quote tailored to your needs.
  • Handling costs
    All the costs involved in moving, transferring, preparing, and managing inventory.
  • Container
    Transport unit for freight transport, reinforced and stackable and suitable for horizontal and vertical transshipment. Invented in the 1930s, officially in use since 1955.
  • All In
    The total price to move cargo from origin to destination, inclusive of all charges.
  • Full Container Load (FCL)
    When a load to be transported is sufficient to fill a container, it is referred to as a Full Container Load.
  • Trip planning system
    A system that allows you to calculate how best to combine transport orders into journeys. This takes into account carriers, window times at loading and unloading addresses, working times, distances, etc.
  • Logistics
    The process of planning and executing the efficient transportation and storage of goods from the point of origin to the point of consumption.
  • Air Freight
    Air freight is the transportation of goods by aircraft, including the costs, logistics, and regulations involved.
  • Last-mile
    The transport of goods over the last meters to the final destination. A part on which transport companies specialize, for example from logistics city hubs.
  • Sea freight
    All movements of goods by boat on waterways, open seas, and oceans.
  • Green Logistics
    Also known as sustainable logistics, is a business practice that aims to reduce the environmental impact of a company's logistics network and delivery
  • Full Truck Load (FTL)
    A full truckload is transported to a single consignee.
  • Inbound
    Receiving goods at a warehouse, to subsequently store them or immediately prepare them for transport.
  • Route planning system
    A route planning system that can indicate the optimal route for one car between two or more addresses. This takes into account the distance and driving time.
  • Fleet
    The fleet is the entirety of vehicles that a company owns. In the context of logistics service providers, this often concerns trucks
  • PoD
    Proof of Delivery. Delivery confirmation, often issued by a driver and signed by the recipient.
  • Transport Management System (TMS)
    A system that helps transport companies streamline their operations. From route planning, resource planning, and route optimization to customs clearance and order management.
  • Depot
    Storage place for goods
  • Trip
    A loaded journey with one or more types of goods and a large number of loading and unloading activities during the journey. The loaded ride starts and ends in the same place.
  • Road Freight
    All movements of goods by road vehicle on a specific road network.
  • Consolidation
    Combining several loads in a single shipment to achieve substantial savings on freight costs. In road transport, this is also known as groupage.
  • Outbound
    The process by which goods leave a warehouse, including the administrative processing of the operation and loading the loaders.
  • Load factor
    The percentage of the total load capacity (in kg) or the load volume (in m3) that is used.
  • Key Performance Indicator (KPI)
    Critical or key performance indicator: variables to analyze company performance. These form the basis of measuring processes.
  • Freight Management System (FMS)
    A software solution that supports freight forwarders with the handling of air freight, sea freight, road transport, and customs activities.
  • Storage
    The (long-term) storage of goods in a warehouse
  • DC (Distribution Center)
    A location where a company has housed the logistics of goods. From a DC, goods are received, distributed, and transported to other destinations
  • Value Added Services (VAS)
    Additional non-physical, administrative activities/services that are added to a product, usually by a logistics service provider, such as call centre activities, customer services, training, and financial services. VAS is directly linked to the flow of goods.
  • Track & Trace
    Track & trace systems enable transport companies based on GPS technology to track their fleet remotely in real-time.
  • Customs
    Customs is a government agency charged with enforcing customs legislation in a country. You can think of combating smuggling and collecting import duties. The duties and powers of a customs service often differ considerably from country to country.
  • Warehouse
    Warehouse management: controlling, maintaining, and controlling all warehouse processes and activities.
  • Logistic Service Provider (LSP)
    Logistics service providers, or 3PL’ers; a company that provides transportation, warehousing, distribution, and/or related services to other companies in the supply chain.
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