FCA
FCA (Free Carrier) is the Incoterm where the seller delivers the goods, cleared for export, to a carrier or another party nominated by the buyer at a named place. Risk transfers to the buyer once the goods are handed over at that point — either at the seller's premises (seller loads) or at another named place (seller delivers, not unloaded).
FCA is the recommended term for containerised and multimodal shipments, because delivery happens when the goods are handed to the carrier — not when they cross the ship's rail, as with FOB. Under Incoterms 2020, FCA also allows the parties to arrange an on-board bill of lading, addressing a common letter-of-credit need.
FCA is the modern, container-friendly alternative to FOB and EXW: the seller clears the goods for export and hands them to the buyer's carrier, so risk transfers at a clean, verifiable point on land. For anything moving in containers, FCA fits how cargo actually flows far better than FOB.
Why use FCA instead of FOB?
FOB was designed for bulk cargo crossing the ship's rail; FCA fits containers, where the seller hands goods to the carrier at a terminal or their premises, not at the vessel.
Who clears the goods for export under FCA?
The seller — a key advantage over EXW.