- FOB is a shipping term that stands for “free on board.” If a shipment is designated FOB (the seller's location), then as soon as the shipment of goods leaves the seller's warehouse, the seller records the sale as complete. The buyer owns the products en route to its warehouse and must pay any delivery charges.
- FOB is an initialism which pertains to the shipping of goods. Depending on specific usage, it may stand for Free On Board or Freight On Board. FOB specifies which party (buyer or seller) pays for which shipment and loading costs, and/or where responsibility for the goods is transferred. The last distinction is important for determining liability for goods lost or damaged in transit from the seller to the buyer.
- Precise meaning and usage of “FOB” can vary significantly. International shipments typically use “FOB” as defined by the Incoterm standards, where it always stands for “Free On Board”. Domestic shipments within the US or Canada often use a different meaning, specific to North America, which is inconsistent with the Incoterm standards.
- Within the United States, the term FOB is commonly used when shipping goods to indicate who pays loading and transportation costs, and/or the point at which the responsibility of the goods transfers from shipper to buyer.
- “FOB shipping point” or “FOB origin” indicates the buyer pays shipping cost, and takes responsibility for the goods when the goods leave the seller’s premises. “FOB destination” designates the seller will pay shipping costs, and remain responsible for the goods until the buyer takes possession.
- Amazon sellers are responsible for the item arriving at the buyer. FOB Destination means the title of goods transfers to the buyer at the receipt to the buyer (Amazon). FOB Origin means the title of goods transfers at the transfer from the seller to a carrier (not Amazon).
