What is the main difference between CPT and FCA?

They split 1 cost block differently. main carriage (freight) falls to the seller under CPT and the buyer under FCA.

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 FCA?

When the goods are handed to the buyer’s carrier at the named place.

Can CPT and FCA both be used for container shipments?

Yes. Both work for any mode of transport, including containers, air and road.

CPT vs FCA: who pays what

CPT is Carriage Paid To. FCA is Free Carrier. Incoterms 2020.

The difference that matters

Main carriage (freight):CPTSeller·FCABuyer

Full cost split

Cost block	CPT	FCA
Export clearance	Seller	Seller
Carriage to port / terminal	Seller	Seller
Loading onto main carriage	Seller	Seller
Main carriage (freight)	Seller	Buyer
Insurance	Neither obliged	Neither obliged
Unloading at destination	Buyer	Buyer
Import clearance	Buyer	Buyer
Duties and import taxes	Buyer	Buyer
Risk passes	When the goods are handed to the first carrier — not at the destination the seller is paying to reach.	When the goods are handed to the buyer’s carrier at the named place.
Transport mode	Any mode	Any mode

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.

FCA

The named place decides who loads. FCA at the seller’s premises means the seller loads; FCA at a terminal means they do not.

Questions

What is the main difference between CPT and FCA?: They split 1 cost block differently. main carriage (freight) falls to the seller under CPT and the buyer under FCA.
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 FCA?: When the goods are handed to the buyer’s carrier at the named place.
Can CPT and FCA both be used for container shipments?: Yes. Both work for any mode of transport, including containers, air and road.

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 CPT CFR vs FCA CIF vs CPT CIF vs FCA CIP vs CPT CIP vs FCA CPT vs DAP CPT 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.