Free carrier的意思

"Free carrier" is a term used in logistics and supply chain management, and it refers to the point at which the seller or shipper is no longer responsible for the transportation of goods and the buyer or consignee takes over responsibility. This typically means that the seller has delivered the goods to a specific location, such as a port, warehouse, or transportation hub, and from that point on, the buyer is responsible for arranging and paying for the transportation to the final destination.

In other words, the "free carrier" term sets the place where the risk of loss or damage to the goods, as well as the responsibility for arranging and paying for transportation, shifts from the seller to the buyer. The specific location where this transfer occurs is agreed upon by both parties and can be anywhere that is convenient or necessary for the conduct of their business.

The term "free carrier" is also used in international trade, where it is specified in Incoterms, which are a set of rules published by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) that define the responsibilities of buyers and sellers for the delivery of goods under different terms of sale. The Incoterms rules help to clarify the obligations of both parties with respect to the delivery of goods, including when the risk of loss or damage transfers from the seller to the buyer, and who is responsible for arranging and paying for transportation and other related costs.