GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 26, 2026

Free Alongside Ship (FAS)

Free Alongside Ship (FAS) is an Incoterm reserved for sea and inland waterway transport.

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Last updated: 26 June 2026Published: 27 January 2026

Source: https://iccwbo.org/business-solutions/incoterms-rules/

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Definition & Explanation

Free Alongside Ship (FAS) is an Incoterm reserved for sea and inland waterway transport. The seller fulfils its delivery obligation once the goods are placed alongside the named vessel at the port of shipment – on the quay or on a lighter – at which point risk and costs pass entirely to the buyer. The buyer then takes charge of loading, ocean freight, insurance, and import clearance at destination. Export formalities remain the seller's responsibility. FAS suits bulk and breakbulk cargoes where quayside handover is standard practice; for containerised shipments, FCA (Free Carrier) is generally the more appropriate choice, as containers are handed over at the terminal, not alongside the vessel.

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Free Alongside Ship (FAS)

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Related Terms

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