Who handles export clearance under FCA?

The seller is responsible for export clearance and any export licences or declarations.

Where does risk transfer under FCA?

Risk transfers when the goods are handed to the buyer’s carrier at the named place. If the named place is the seller’s premises, risk transfers at loading.

If the named place is the seller’s premises, the seller loads. If the named place is another location, the seller delivers the goods ready for unloading.

Does FCA include insurance?

No. Insurance is optional and typically arranged by the buyer. If you want the seller to include insurance, consider CIP.

Is FCA suitable for containers?

Yes. FCA is recommended for containerised shipments and any multimodal move. It avoids the issues that arise using FOB with containers.

FCA (Free Carrier) | Export Clearance, Risk Point, When To Use

Q: What does FCA mean?

Free Carrier means the seller clears the goods for export and delivers them to the buyer’s carrier at a named place. Risk transfers at that handover point.

Last updated: 18 August 2025

What is FCA?

FCA (Free Carrier) means the seller clears the goods for export and delivers them to the buyer’s carrier at a named place. Risk transfers at that handover point. FCA works for any mode and is preferred for containerised shipments.

Risk and responsibility

Task	Party	Notes
Export packing and documentation	Seller	Includes commercial invoice and packing list
Export clearance and licences	Seller	Seller files the export declaration
Delivery to named place	Seller	Handover to buyer’s carrier
Loading at seller’s premises	Seller	Applies if the named place is the seller’s site
Main carriage and insurance	Buyer	Insurance optional. Consider CIP if seller should insure
Import clearance, duties and delivery	Buyer	At destination country

When to use FCA

Containerised or multimodal shipments where early handover to a carrier makes sense.
Cross-border moves where the seller can efficiently manage export clearance.
When you want a clear risk point at first carrier handover.

Common notes

Specify the named place precisely, for example a terminal or forwarder’s depot.
Use CMR for international road handover where applicable.
For insurance included by the seller, see CIP. For freight paid without insurance, see CPT.

How Clintopia helps

We coordinate FCA handovers, export declarations and carrier bookings. For door to door planning, see Freight Forwarding. For border entries and tariff codes, see Customs Clearance. For UK port collections to site, see Container Haulage.

Seller clears export and delivers to the buyer’s carrier at a named place

FCA (Free Carrier)

FCA (Free Carrier)

What is FCA?

Risk and responsibility

When to use FCA

Common notes

How Clintopia helps

Related terms

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FCA — FAQs