Free Alongside Ship (FAS) is an Incoterm rule that tells you exactly where the seller’s job ends: once the goods are placed next to the buyer’s vessel at the named port. From that point, the buyer takes over the main costs and the risk, including getting the goods loaded onto the ship.

When to Use Free Alongside Ship (FAS)

Use FAS when the buyer controls the ocean booking and wants the seller to deliver to a specific port area (like a quay or barge) before loading. It’s useful for bulk or heavy items where port handling is a big deal, because everyone knows the handoff spot in advance. This term is not a substitute for a full contract; always spell out who arranges port entry passes, export paperwork, and what happens if the vessel is delayed.

How Transportify Helps

Even when the buyer is handling the sea leg, you still need reliable local pickup and delivery to the port. Transportify can help you schedule trucks or vans, plan pickup windows, and coordinate proof of handover with photos and updates, so your team isn’t guessing where the shipment is. It’s a simple way to keep the first leg organized, especially when multiple drop-off points or tight cutoffs are involved.

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Noel Abelardo
Deputy Country Director