FCA— Free Carrier(Giao cho người vận tải)
FCA (Free Carrier) is the most flexible any-mode rule and the one ICC recommends over EXW/FOB for containerised cargo. The seller hands the goods to the carrier nominated by the buyer, at the seller's premises or another agreed place.
Cost, risk and clearance at a glance
Delivery & risk transfer
Delivery happens one of two ways: (1) at the seller's premises — once the goods are LOADED on the vehicle the buyer sends; (2) at any other place — once the goods, on the seller's vehicle, are placed at the carrier's disposal READY FOR UNLOADING (the seller does not unload). Risk passes at exactly that point.
Cost split
The seller pays up to the delivery point (including export clearance); the buyer pays from there: main carriage, insurance if any, import clearance. For containers from Vietnam the handover point is usually the container yard (CY) or CFS — spell out local charges in the contract.
Insurance
Neither party is obliged to insure — whoever bears the transit risk should consider buying cover for that leg.
Watch out for
- New in Incoterms 2020: the parties may agree that the buyer instructs its carrier to issue an ON-BOARD bill of lading to the seller — solving the L/C problem where an on-board document is required although delivery happens before shipment.
- Use FCA rather than FOB for containers: a container is actually handed over at the terminal before it is lifted on board; under FOB the seller carries the risk of the port-waiting leg it cannot control.
- Name the exact delivery point in the contract (which warehouse, which yard) — left vague, the seller may pick the point that suits it.
FCA price → Vietnamese customs value
Importing into Vietnam
- + International freight to the import gate
- + International insurance (if bought)
Exporting from Vietnam
- + Cost of bringing goods to the export gate (if not in the price)
Legal basis: Circular 39/2015/TT-BTC, amended by 60/2019/TT-BTC.
"Incoterms" is a registered trademark of ICC. This page is the site's own plain-language summary for reference; the authoritative rules are ICC's Incoterms® 2020 publication.