FCA

FCA (Free Carrier – Air) is a shipping agreement commonly used in Amazon’s direct import programs, particularly in China. Under this term, the vendor is responsible for delivering goods to a specified handoff point - usually their own factory - after which Amazon takes over logistics, including:

• Inland trucking
• Export documentation
• Air freight
• Customs clearance
• Final delivery to Amazon Fulfilment Centres

This arrangement simplifies the export process for vendors, as Amazon controls the supply chain from the origin point onward.

Key details:

• Used primarily for air shipments
• Amazon assumes cost and risk once the goods are picked up
• Often part of Amazon Global Logistics (AGL) or direct import workflows
• Reduces complexity for vendors unfamiliar with international logistics

💡 Example: A vendor in Shenzhen manufactures electronics and agrees to an FCA shipment with Amazon. Once the goods are ready at the factory, Amazon’s freight provider picks them up, handles air freight, and delivers them to a U.S. FC.

In short:
FCA (Free Carrier – Air) means Amazon takes over the freight process directly from the vendor’s factory, simplifying cross-border shipping - especially common in China-based air shipments.