FAS
Free Alongside ShipFAS
Incoterms 2020
Sea / inland waterway
When goods are placed alongside the vessel at the named port of shipment
Cost responsibility
Seller delivers alongside the vessel. Buyer pays loading, main carriage, and everything onward.
Seller obligations
- S1Export clearance
- S2Delivery alongside vessel at named port
- S3Pre-carriage to port
Buyer obligations
- B1Loading onto vessel
- B2Main sea carriage
- B3Insurance
- B4Import clearance
- B5Import duties
When to use FAS
Bulk cargo and commodities where the buyer charters the vessel. Common in bulk grain, mineral, and oil trades where the buyer's vessel does the loading.
When NOT to use FAS
Containerized cargo (use FCA instead). Air freight or road transport. When goods are delivered to a container terminal rather than alongside a specific vessel.
Common mistakes with FAS
- !Using FAS for container shipments — containers go to a terminal, not alongside a vessel
- !Confusing FAS with FOB — under FAS, the buyer loads; under FOB, the seller loads