EXW, FCA or FOB: confirm supplier pickup arrangements in China
Published: · Updated: · Editorial review:
Published by Jeton Express · JETON EXPRESS SERVICE LIMITED
This English summary covers origin checks for a purchase in China destined for Spain or Portugal. Confirm the agreed rule, edition, delivery point and actual tasks with the supplier and carrier. The main article is in Spanish.
On this page
Contact our teamAgreement and delivery point
Gather the order or contract showing the chosen Incoterms® rule and edition. Identify the named place precisely enough to plan the operation. ICC Academy’s author explanation distinguishes EXW, with goods made available without loading onto the collecting vehicle, from FCA. This is an explanation of the 2020 rules, rather than the full rules or a determination of your contract.
Reference: ICC Academy · EXW and FCA explanation
Pickup handling
Under the FCA explanation, delivery at the seller’s premises includes loading the collecting vehicle; at another agreed place, the goods arrive on the seller’s vehicle ready for unloading. Confirm location, equipment, people and collection window. Identify who performs the applicable export procedures and who verifies that arrangement in China. A factory address does not establish customs capability.
Reference: ICC Academy · EXW and FCA explanation
Loading on board and the B/L
The FOB explanation places delivery on board the vessel at the named shipment port, for sea or inland waterway transport. Terminal receipt is a separate event. ICC describes a FCA option in which the parties agree that the buyer instructs the carrier to provide the seller with an on-board B/L after loading. Confirm the agreement and its execution; a document request does not itself change the delivery point.
Reference: ICC Academy · FCA and FOB explanation · ICC · Incoterms® 2020 public overview
Prepare pickup acceptance
Maersk distinguishes the sales-contract rule from its role as carrier. Connect the supplier agreement with transport details: goods readiness, packing, weight, dimensions, access, documents and responsible parties. Flag missing information and confirm included tasks and charges. Retain the purchase agreement, carrier pickup acceptance and evidence of the delivery event separately.
Reference: Maersk · Incoterms public overview
Example: supplier collection
In a hypothetical example, the quotation says FCA but identifies only a city. Before collection, request the named place and confirm whether delivery occurs at the factory or another point. Then assign each task: loading, movement to that point, export procedures and carrier receipt. Flag unanswered questions and retain the agreed version. This example organizes enquiries; it does not choose the contractual rule or establish that the supplier can perform every procedure.
Reference: ICC Academy · EXW and FCA explanation
Delivery and document questions
Does FCA always mean factory collection? No: confirm the agreed place and its handling arrangement. Does terminal receipt establish FOB delivery? The public explanation places FOB delivery on board, so keep those events distinct and compare them with the agreement. Does an on-board B/L turn FCA into FOB? ICC’s document option depends on agreement and carrier execution; it does not itself change the delivery point or guarantee bank acceptance.
Reference: ICC Academy · EXW and FCA explanation · ICC Academy · FCA and FOB explanation · ICC · Incoterms® 2020 public overview
Information for a pickup enquiry
Send the origin point, rule and edition, readiness date, final packing and intended route. Include supplier-confirmed terms and a separate list of open questions with the person able to resolve them. Request review of pickup tasks and charges, retaining acceptance for the data version used. If the location or packing changes, update the enquiry before authorizing transport. The sales agreement and carrier confirmation remain separate records.
Reference: Maersk · Incoterms public overview