what is fca in shipping stands for Free Carrier, an Incoterm (International Commercial Term) that defines the point at which the seller’s responsibility for the goods ends and the buyer’s responsibility begins. Under FCA terms, the seller is responsible for delivering the goods to a specified carrier or another party chosen by the buyer, usually at a port or an agreed-upon location. Once the goods are handed over to the carrier, the buyer assumes responsibility for all subsequent costs, including transportation, insurance, and customs duties. FCA is commonly used in international shipping agreements.