FCA (Free Carrier)
Free Carrier means the seller hands export-cleared goods to the carrier nominated by the buyer at an agreed place. If that place is the seller's premises, the seller loads; anywhere else, such as a terminal, the goods are delivered unloaded. FCA works for any mode and is the rule the ICC recommends for containers, because risk passes when the box is handed over, not once it is on board. Incoterms 2020 also lets the parties arrange an on-board B/L for the seller.
Related terms
- FOB (Free On Board)
Free On Board means the seller delivers the goods on board the vessel nominated by the buyer at the port of shipment; risk passes once the goods are on board.
- EXW (Ex Works)
Ex Works puts the least obligation on the seller: the goods are simply made available at the seller's premises, not loaded onto the buyer's vehicle.
- CPT (Carriage Paid To)
Carriage Paid To means the seller pays transport to the named destination, but risk passes to the buyer when the goods are handed to the first carrier.
- Incoterms
Incoterms are the ICC rules that set the delivery point, the transfer of risk, and the split of costs and customs duties between seller and buyer.