Incoterms 2020
FCA
Free Carrier
Any transport modeThe seller delivers the goods, cleared for export, to a carrier nominated by the buyer at a named place. Risk passes to the buyer at that handover.
Written as: FCA [named place of delivery]
FCA
Free Carrier
Seller hands off to the carrier, export cleared
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SellerBuyer
Risk
Hover a stage to see who is responsible.
SellerBuyerRisk
| Stage | Who pays | Who's at risk |
|---|---|---|
| Export packaging | Seller | Seller |
| Loading at origin | Seller | Seller |
| Inland to origin port | Seller | Seller |
| Export customs | Seller | Seller |
| Origin terminal charges | Buyer | Buyer |
| Loading on main carrier | Buyer | Buyer |
| Main carriage (freight) | Buyer | Buyer |
| Destination terminal charges | Buyer | Buyer |
| Import customs & duty | Buyer | Buyer |
| Inland to destination | Buyer | Buyer |
| Unloading at destination | Buyer | Buyer |
Seller's responsibilities
- Package, load, and clear the goods for export
- Deliver to the carrier at the named place
Buyer's responsibilities
- Contract and pay the main carriage
- Bear risk from the carrier handover onward
Risk transfer
Under FCA, the risk of loss or damage passes from the seller to the buyer at Origin terminal charges.
Insurance
Not required (buyer may arrange)
When to use it
The modern default for containerised and multimodal shipments — the safe replacement for FOB when goods move in containers.
Watch out
Define the named place precisely — at the seller’s premises the seller loads; elsewhere the seller delivers ready for unloading.
Frequently asked
- Why use FCA instead of FOB for containers?
- FOB transfers risk only when goods are on board the vessel, but containers are handed over at the terminal days earlier. FCA matches reality and protects the seller.