FCA Terms

FCA (Free Carrier) is a term in the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Incoterms. It means the seller delivers the goods to a carrier or another person nominated by the buyer at a specified place, completing delivery. FCA applies to any mode of transport, including multimodal transport. Usage scenario: When the buyer arranges the main carriage, the seller only needs to transport the goods to the specified place (such as the seller's warehouse, container yard, airport, etc.) and handle export customs clearance. Points to note: 1. If the specified place is the seller's premises, the seller is responsible for loading; if it is another place, the seller is not responsible for unloading. 2. The seller must handle export customs clearance but is not obliged to handle import customs clearance. 3. Risk transfer point: Risk transfers to the buyer when the goods are handed over to the carrier. 4. Difference from FOB: FOB applies only to sea and inland waterway transport, and risk transfers when the goods are loaded on board; FCA applies to all modes of transport, risk transfers when the goods are handed over to the carrier, and the seller is not responsible for loading. 5. Difference from EXW: Under EXW the seller does not handle export customs clearance, while under FCA the seller must handle export customs clearance. Therefore, FCA is more convenient for the buyer than EXW and more flexible than FOB.