What Are FOB and FAS in International Trade?
Publish Time: 2026-02-10 Origin: Site
01 What is FOB?
Conditions
FOB applies only to sea or inland waterway transport.
Key Features
Under FOB, the seller delivers when the goods are placed on board the vessel nominated by the buyer at the named port of shipment.
Risk transfers from seller to buyer once the goods are on board the vessel.
The seller is responsible for export customs clearance.
The buyer arranges and pays for main carriage, freight, and insurance.
FOB is widely used, especially in trade with Europe and the US.
Obligations of Buyer & Seller
Seller: bears all risks and costs until the goods are on board the vessel; handles export customs clearance.
Buyer: bears all risks and costs once the goods are on board; arranges shipping and insurance.
Common Misunderstandings
FOB does NOT include ocean freight or insurance.
FOB only covers the cost of goods delivered on board the vessel at the port of shipment.
02 What is FAS?
Conditions
FAS applies only to sea or inland waterway transport.
Key Features
The seller fulfills delivery when the goods are placed alongside the vessel (on the quay or barge) nominated by the buyer.
Risk and cost transfer at the ship’s rail (alongside the vessel).
The seller handles export customs clearance.
The buyer is responsible for loading the goods onto the vessel and all subsequent costs and risks.
Obligations of Buyer & Seller
Seller: delivers goods alongside the vessel; handles export customs clearance.
Buyer: bears all costs and risks once the goods are alongside the ship; arranges loading, carriage, and insurance.
Common Misunderstandings
FAS = delivery alongside the vessel
FCA = delivery to a carrier (not necessarily at a port or alongside a ship)
Do not confuse these two terms.