Recognizing the requirements of modern transport, including multi-modal transport, this principle is similar to Free on Board (see below), except that the exporter's obligations are met when the goods are delivered into the custody of the carrier at the named port. The risk of loss/damage is transferred to the buyer at this time, and not at the ship's rail. The carrier can be any person contracted to transport the goods by road, sea, air, rail or a combination thereof.

Free Carrier" means that the seller fulfils his obligation to deliver when he has handed over the goods, cleared for export, into the charge of the carrier named by the buyer at the named place or point. If no precise point is indicated by the buyer, the seller may choose within the place or range stipulated where the carrier shall take the goods into his charge. When, according to commercial practice, the seller's assistance is required in making the contract with the carrier (such as in rail or air transport) the seller may act at the buyer's risk and expense. This term may be used for any mode of transport, including multimodal transport. "Carrier" means any person who, in a contract of carriage, undertakes to perform or to procure the performance of carriage by rail, road, sea, air, inland waterway or by a combination of such modes. If the buyer instructs the seller to deliver the cargo to a person, e.g. a freight forwarder who is not a "carrier", the seller is deemed to have fulfilled his obligation to deliver the goods when they are in the custody of that person.

With multi-modal transport taking the same goods by sea, air and other modes, FOB principles (as above) again come into play. This time though, an exporter's obligations are met when the goods are handed over to the carrier named by the buyer and cleared for export at the specified place or port.