What does Free Carrier (FCA) mean?

Under FCA, the seller delivers the coffee to a named location - their own premises, a freight terminal, or a container freight station - where it's handed over to a carrier you've nominated. From that handover point, risk and all onward costs are yours.

FCA is the ICC's recommended Incoterm for containerised shipments because it reflects how modern logistics actually works. In containerised trade, goods are effectively in the carrier's control before they reach the ship's rail - which is when FOB technically says risk transfers. FCA acknowledges that reality.

In practice, FCA is increasingly replacing FOB in well-written specialty coffee contracts. If you're seeing FCA on offer sheets from progressive importers or exporters, it's a sign the paperwork is keeping up with the trade.