What does Free Alongside Ship (FAS) mean in green coffee trading?

FAS is an Incoterm in which the seller's obligation ends when the coffee has been delivered to the dock at the named port of origin, alongside the vessel. From that point, all costs and risks - loading onto the ship, ocean freight, insurance, and everything onwards - transfer to the buyer.

The key distinction from FOB: under FOB, risk transfers when the coffee crosses the ship's rail (i.e., once it's loaded). Under FAS, risk transfers earlier - when the coffee is placed at the dock ready for loading, before it's actually on board. In practical terms the difference is narrow, but it matters if anything happens between the dock and the hold.

FAS is less commonly used in specialty green coffee than FOB. You're more likely to encounter it in bulk commodity trade. If it appears on a contract, the named location will be the port of origin - e.g., FAS Mombasa - and you'll be responsible for arranging and paying for loading onto the vessel.