CPT vs FAS: who pays what

CPT is Carriage Paid To. FAS is Free Alongside Ship. Incoterms 2020.

The difference that matters

Full cost split

Cost blockCPTFAS
Export clearanceSellerSeller
Carriage to port / terminalSellerSeller
Loading onto main carriageSellerBuyer
Main carriage (freight)SellerBuyer
InsuranceNeither obligedNeither obliged
Unloading at destinationBuyerBuyer
Import clearanceBuyerBuyer
Duties and import taxesBuyerBuyer
Risk passesWhen the goods are handed to the first carrier — not at the destination the seller is paying to reach.When the goods are alongside the ship — quay or barge — not yet on board.
Transport modeAny modeSea / inland waterway

What people get wrong

CPT

With two carriers, risk passes at the first one. A seller shipping by truck then sea has already transferred risk at the truck.

FAS

Only sensible for bulk or break-bulk. For containers the goods leave the seller long before the quay, so FCA fits better.

Questions

What is the main difference between CPT and FAS?
They split 2 cost blocks differently. loading onto main carriage falls to the seller under CPT and the buyer under FAS; main carriage (freight) falls to the seller under CPT and the buyer under FAS.
Where does risk pass under CPT?
When the goods are handed to the first carrier — not at the destination the seller is paying to reach.
Where does risk pass under FAS?
When the goods are alongside the ship — quay or barge — not yet on board.
Can CPT and FAS both be used for container shipments?
CPT works for any mode of transport. FAS is written for sea and inland waterway transport only.

Whichever term you agree, the paperwork has to say so

The Incoterm and named place belong on the commercial invoice, the packing list and the shipper's instructions — spelled the same way on each. ovrseas generates the set from one entry so they cannot disagree with each other.

Commercial invoice template

Compare other pairs

CFR vs CPTCFR vs FASCIF vs CPTCIF vs FASCIP vs CPTCIP vs FASCPT vs DAPCPT vs DDP

Incoterms® is a registered trademark of the International Chamber of Commerce. This page is an independent summary of how costs and risk are allocated and is not affiliated with or endorsed by ICC. For contract drafting, use the official Incoterms® 2020 rules published by ICC.