FCA Incoterms Calculator - Free Carrier Cost Split
Answer: Under FCA Incoterms, the seller delivers cleared goods to the named carrier or place, then the buyer usually pays main freight, insurance, import clearance, duty, tax, and final delivery.
FCA Incoterms means the seller delivers export-cleared goods to the named carrier or place, while the buyer usually takes over main freight, insurance, import clearance, duty, tax, and final delivery.
How the calculation works
The FCA estimator separates the shipment into seller-side and buyer-side responsibility. Seller-side FCA cost includes goods value, origin pickup or loading, export clearance, and handling at the named FCA handoff place. Buyer-side cost starts after the handoff and includes main freight, cargo insurance, import clearance, duty and tax, and destination delivery.
The output is a planning view of landed exposure under FCA. It helps compare an FCA supplier quote against EXW, FOB, DAP, or DDP terms, but it does not replace a freight quote, customs broker review, or contract wording for the named place.
FAQ
What does FCA mean in Incoterms?
FCA means Free Carrier. The seller delivers the goods to a named carrier or named place and usually clears the goods for export.
Who pays freight under FCA?
The buyer usually pays main freight after the seller delivers the goods to the named FCA carrier or place.
Who pays export clearance under FCA?
The seller usually pays and handles export clearance under FCA. This is one reason FCA is often cleaner than EXW for international shipments.
When does risk transfer under FCA?
Risk transfers when the seller delivers the goods to the named carrier or named place stated in the sales contract.
Is FCA the same as FOB?
No. FCA can be used for any mode, including air and multimodal freight. FOB is designed for sea and inland waterway transport and transfers risk when goods are loaded on board the vessel.
Does FCA include import duty and tax?
No. Import clearance, duty, tax, and destination delivery are usually buyer-side costs under FCA.
Is FCA good for Amazon FBA shipments?
FCA can work well for Amazon FBA imports when the supplier delivers export-cleared cargo to your forwarder, and your forwarder controls the international freight and FBA delivery.
What named place should I use for FCA?
Use the exact handoff point, such as the supplier warehouse, forwarder warehouse, airport terminal, container yard, or carrier facility. The named place changes the operational cost split.
Comparison table
| Term | Seller usually pays | Buyer usually pays | Risk transfer | Practical use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EXW | Goods made available | Pickup, export, freight, import, duty, tax, delivery | Seller premises before loading | Buyer can manage origin export work |
| FCA | Goods, delivery to named place, export clearance | Main freight, insurance, import, duty, tax, delivery | Named carrier or place | Air, express, truck, rail, ocean, and multimodal |
| FOB | Origin port loading and export clearance | Ocean freight, insurance, import, duty, tax, delivery | On board vessel at origin | Buyer-controlled ocean freight |
| DAP | Delivery to named destination before unloading | Import clearance, duty, tax, unloading | Named destination before unloading | Seller handles transport, buyer handles import |
| DDP | Delivery plus import clearance, duty, and tax | Usually unloading and exceptions | Named destination after seller obligations | Seller-managed landed delivery |
Dated facts
As of May 13, 2026, FCA is one of the Incoterms 2020 rules available for any mode of transport, including air, road, rail, express, ocean, and multimodal freight.
As of May 13, 2026, FCA is commonly recommended over FOB for containerized or multimodal shipments when the seller hands cargo to a forwarder before vessel loading.
As of May 13, 2026, FCA still requires precise named-place wording because “FCA factory” and “FCA forwarder warehouse” assign different pickup and loading expectations.
Frequently asked questions
- What does FCA mean in Incoterms?
- FCA means Free Carrier. The seller delivers the goods to a named carrier or named place and normally clears the goods for export.
- Who pays freight under FCA?
- The buyer usually pays main freight after the FCA handoff, unless the commercial contract separately bundles freight into the seller quote.
- Who pays export clearance under FCA?
- The seller usually handles export clearance under FCA, which is a major difference from EXW.
- When does risk transfer under FCA?
- Risk transfers when the seller delivers the goods to the named carrier or named place specified in the contract.
- Is FCA better than FOB for air freight?
- Yes, FCA is usually better for air, express, truck, rail, and multimodal freight because FOB is designed for sea and inland waterway transport.
- Does FCA include import duty?
- No. Import clearance, duty, tax, and destination delivery usually remain buyer-side costs under FCA.
- Can I use FCA for China to Amazon FBA?
- Yes. FCA can work when the seller delivers export-cleared goods to your forwarder or carrier, and your freight partner handles the move to FBA.