Definition
FCA (Free Carrier) is the any-mode Incoterms® 2020 rule where the seller delivers the goods to the buyer’s nominated carrier at the named place in the country of origin — loaded if delivery is at the seller’s premises — and clears export.
If your “FOB” was really “I dropped the container at the terminal”, you almost certainly needed FCA.
What FCA is
Any-mode: plant, terminal, port, or airport in the seller’s country — always with a precise place.
Buyer nominates the main-carriage carrier.
Why it matters (shipper / 3PL / carrier)
1.Shipper
As MX seller, FCA matches plant loading + export under your control; as buyer, you keep choice of ocean/truck main carriage.
2.3PL / freight forwarder
Coordinates the buyer-nominated carrier and origin delivery proof; for credits, may instruct a B/L in the seller’s name.
3.Carrier
You are the “named carrier”: appointment, seal, and terminal ticket evidence that risk has passed.
FCA vs EXW vs FOB
1.vs EXW
Adds loading (at plant) and seller export clearance.
2.vs FOB
FOB is sea-only on board; container terminal a FCA.
3.Credits
Parties may agree an on-board B/L in the seller’s name.
Checklist
Place
Plant or terminal.
Carrier
Buyer-nominated.
Export
Seller.
Docs
Delivery evidence.
Common Mexico–US mistakes
1.Calling terminal drop “FOB”
A container in the yard/terminal is not “on board”; ICC practice points to FCA.
2.Vague place
“FCA Monterrey” without address or terminal sparks disputes over who pays the leg to the port.
3.Export misaligned
Seller must be able to clear export; if a foreign buyer cannot, do not fall back to EXW by mistake.
4.No handoff evidence
Missing terminal ticket / carrier signature = demurrage fights and “never delivered” claims.
OCL and the file
OCL does not choose the Incoterm. Under FCA, the file should bind named place, carrier, handoff timestamp, and rate before paying freight or origin accessorials.
Sources and further reading
- Pillar: Incoterms® 2020.
- Siblings: EXW · FOB · B/L.
- ICC — Incoterms® 2020 (official publication; registered trademark). OCL educational paraphrase.
Key takeaways5 points
- FCA = delivery to the named carrier at origin; seller clears export.
- If delivery is at the seller’s plant, goods are delivered loaded.
- Modern replacement for EXW and misused FOB on containers.
- Buyer books main carriage; risk from carrier handoff.
- Incoterms® 2020: ICC trademark; educational paraphrase.
Want to stop misusing FOB when it was FCA?
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Ideal when the seller hands off at origin and the buyer controls cross-border freight.
The buyer.
It matches plant-loading practice and leaves export with the party who can usually clear it: the seller.
No. The buyer books main carriage; the seller only delivers to the carrier at the named place (and clears export).
Yes — and it is usually correct when the handoff is at the terminal/yard, not on board the vessel.
ICC Incoterms® 2020; this entry is educational, not a legal opinion.