FCA (Free Carrier)

FCA (Free Carrier) is an Incoterms® rule under which the seller delivers export-cleared goods to the buyer's nominated carrier or person at an agreed place. Delivery responsibilities depend on whether the place is the seller's premises or another location.

Published by AllwayforwardUpdated 18 Oct 2026

Understand it in practice

A visual breakdown of FCA (Free Carrier): Named handover point, Seller clears export and Buyer arranges main carriage. The illustration simplifies the concept; the definition and applicable terms determine the details.

Where it fits in the journey

Highlighted stages are commonly relevant

01Agree — commonly relevant
02Prepare
03Transport
04Clear
05Deliver

THE PICTURE, IN WORDS

FCA (Free Carrier) at a glance

Named handover point
Seller clears export
Buyer arranges main carriage

THE DETAIL THAT MATTERS

Why does the exact FCA delivery place matter?

Name the exact handover point. FCA is commonly suitable for containers handed to a carrier before vessel loading.

ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE

Put the handover point in writing

FCA at the supplier’s premises places loading onto the collecting vehicle within the seller’s delivery responsibility. FCA at another agreed point works differently. An exact address prevents those two arrangements from being confused.

Costs and risk are different questions

Rule	Usual risk handover	Import clearance
EXW	Goods available at named origin place	Buyer
FCA	Delivery to nominated carrier at agreed point	Buyer
FOB / CIF	On board at origin port	Buyer
DAP	At named destination, ready for unloading	Buyer
DDP	At named destination, ready for unloading	Seller

Hand-drawn freight notebook connecting goods, documents and transport. — Trade terms in context · original educational illustration, not a photograph of a shipment.

Simplified comparison of ordinary delivery obligations. Named places, agreed variations and exceptional circumstances matter. Incoterms® is a registered trademark of the International Chamber of Commerce.

Before you book

For trade terms, have these details ready:

Exact named delivery place or port
Incoterms® edition in the sales contract
Who handles customs, duties and unloading

Explore trade terms support

Sources & further reading

Plain-language educational guidance. The applicable contract, carrier tariff, official rules or insurance policy takes precedence. Illustrations show concepts, not a specific shipment or facility.

Published by Allwayforward as a plain-language freight reference. Examples are illustrative, not customer case studies. For a correction, send the term and supporting source.