Buying FCA Yerevan: who pays what

What FCA means

FCA, "Free Carrier", is an Incoterms 2020 rule. The producer clears the goods for export and hands them to the carrier chosen by the buyer at the agreed place: here, Yerevan, at the producer's premises or the forwarder's depot. From that handover, transport and risk pass to the buyer.

If the handover takes place at the producer's premises, the producer loads the truck. If it takes place elsewhere, the producer delivers the goods on its own vehicle, ready for unloading.

Who pays what

Why FCA, rather than EXW or DAP

Under EXW, the buyer would have to clear the goods for export in Armenia themselves, which a European importer rarely does. Under DAP or DDP, the producer would arrange and pay for transport to Europe, with a risk it cannot yet price. FCA leaves each party with what it knows: the producer, its departure formalities; the buyer, its forwarder and customs.

The route from Yerevan

With the Turkish border closed, goods leave through Georgia. Three routes, with rough figures recorded in October 2026, to be confirmed with your forwarder:

• By sea: a container by road to the Georgian port of Poti, around 4,600 dollars and some twenty days, then by sea or ferry to Bulgaria or Romania.
• By road: a full truck to Europe, from 8,000 to 12,000 dollars.
• By rail: the Akhalkalaki-Kars line, between Georgia and Turkey, reopened to freight in 2024 and modernised in June 2026.

Dried fruit, jams and honey travel without refrigeration: all three routes suit them. Cut flowers leave by air from Zvartnots, or in a refrigerated truck at 2 to 4 °C; transit time then counts in days, not weeks. Transport must remain direct to retain the 0% rate: see Proving Armenian origin.

The contract and payment

The sales contract is signed directly between the producer and the buyer; the desk neither sells nor buys the goods. Common payment arrangements are a deposit followed by the balance against documents, or a documentary credit. The price, lead time and terms are set in this contract, with the producer: catalog prices are indicative.

What the desk does

The desk prepares the handover: it checks that the goods, export documents and proof of origin are ready before your carrier arrives, then follows the deal through to delivery, with a single contact in Europe. It holds no stock and never takes charge of the goods. How a deal works, step by step: see the nine stages.