
The accounting treatment for the FOB shipping
FOB
FOB, "Free On Board", is a term in international commercial law specifying at what point respective obligations, costs, and risk involved in the delivery of goods shift from the seller to the buyer under the Incoterms standard published by the International Chamber of Commerce. FOB is …
What is FOB shipping point vs FOB destination Why does this matter?
Two differences distinguish FOB shipping point from FOB destination: which party pays for shipping and the point ownership of goods transfers from seller to buyer. FOB shipping point: Buyer pays for shipping and owns the goods once they ship. FOB destination: Seller pays for shipping and owns the goods until delivery.
When shipping terms FOB shipping point are used?
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.
How does FOB Destination affect inventory?
If goods are shipped FOB destination, transportation costs are paid by the seller and title does not pass until the carrier delivers the goods to the buyer. These goods are part of the seller's inventory while in transit.
How do you describe the FOB shipping point?
The term FOB shipping point is a contraction of the term "Free on Board Shipping Point." It means that the buyer takes delivery of goods being shipped to it by a supplier once the goods leave the supplier's shipping dock.
Who is responsible for FOB shipping point?
the buyerIn FOB shipping point agreements, the seller pays all transportation costs and fees to get the goods to the port of origin. Once the goods are at the point of origin and on the transportation vessel, the buyer is financially responsible for costs to transport the goods such as customs, taxes, and fees.
Who pays shipping on FOB destination?
With FOB shipping point, the buyer pays for shipping costs, in addition to any damage during shipping. The buyer is the one who would file a claim for damages if needed, as the buyer holds the title and ownership of the goods.
Who owns the inventory of FOB destination?
The FOB destination is, essentially, the location where the actual sale of the goods occurred, and ownership changes hand from the seller to the buyer.
What is the opposite of FOB shipping?
Under a CIF agreement, the seller assumes the costs and risks associated with transport until delivery, which is when the buyer assumes responsibility. With a FOB agreement, the seller transfers all of the risk and costs to the buyer once the shipment is loaded onto the shipping vessel.
What happens when merchandise is delivered FOB destination?
FOB destination is a contraction of the term "Free on Board Destination." The term means that the buyer takes delivery of goods being shipped to it by a supplier once the goods arrive at the buyer's receiving dock.
Is FOB shipping point is freight in or freight out?
Terms indicating that the buyer must pay to get the goods delivered. (The buyer will record freight-in and the seller will not have any delivery expense.) With terms of FOB shipping point the title to the goods usually passes to the buyer at the shipping point.
What is FOB with example?
In international shipping, for example, “FOB [name of originating port]” means that the seller (consignor) is responsible for transportation of the goods to the port of shipment and the cost of loading.
How do you record sales in FOB shipping point?
In FOB Shipping Point, both seller and buyer record the delivery once the shipment leaves the seller's warehouse (or shipping dock). In FOB Destination, the seller and buyer record the sale (and purchase) only after the shipment reaches the buyer's dock. Another difference is in the division of costs.
What does FOB shipping point mean quizlet?
FOB Shipping point means that the buyer pays for shipping and is responsible in transit. FOB Destination means that the seller pays the shipping and is responsible in transit.
Does FOB destination mean free shipping?
In shipping arrangements classified as FOB Destination, Freight Collect, the buyer is responsible for shipping costs. In FOB Destination, Freight Prepaid & Add arrangements, the seller pays for the shipping costs but then passes on the cost to the buyer.
What is FOB with example?
In international shipping, for example, “FOB [name of originating port]” means that the seller (consignor) is responsible for transportation of the goods to the port of shipment and the cost of loading.
What is FOB allowed?
Freight Allowed. An agreement between a seller and a buyer indicating that the seller has fulfilled his/her obligation to deliver a good when he/she has transferred it to the point from which it is to be transported to the buyer. The seller pays for transportation indirectly.
How FOB Shipping Point Affects the Buyer?
Clearly, FOB shipping point compels the buyer to make an upfront payment before shipping goods.At the same time, the incoterm enables the importer...
FOB Advantages
Manage your expenses throughout the whole process without hidden fees.Your seller ought to know the export documentation they require for their goo...
ExW Advantages
All the expected charges are clearly outlined from the beginning.Chance of incurring additional costs is negligiblePrice of goods is comparatively...
How FOB Shipping Works?
In order to perfectly comprehend how FOB shipping works, let us look at a typical example.Presume that you are a toy dealer and you buy 20,000 piec...
Why is FOB shipping point so popular?
FOB shipping point tends to be a popular term among sellers due to its sense of security in terms of payment.
What does FOB mean in shipping?
FOB. Basically, FOB Shipping means that the supplier satisfies his responsibility to deliver the moment he or she loads the cargo on board at the port of departure.
What is the FOB Shipping Process?
FOB shipping is a multi-stage process that begins at the seller’s factory/warehouse and ends at the buyer’s location.
What is Incoterms 2010?
Incoterms 2010 rules compel the buyer under FOB shipping terms to pay the costs of freight needed to ferry the goods to the destination port from the port of origin.
What is FOB origin?
FOB Origin, Freight Prepaid and Charged Back. Here, the supplier does not pay the shipping costs, but rather adds the costs of freight to the bill sent to the importer. This indicates that the importer pays a more expensive bill. It is because the costs of freight are incorporated on the final invoice.
What is freight in shipping?
Freight-In refers to when the buyer is responsible for delivery (FOB origin). In this case, the buyer bears freight cost and also records it as Freight-In. When the seller is responsible for delivery (FOB destination) and bears the shipping cost, it is considered Freight-Out.
What is FOB in China?
In China, FOB is basically the default pricing for goods. It includes the cost of producing goods, delivering the goods to the shipping port in China, and exporting clearance costs. This price excludes local port fees, insurance, customs clearance fees as well as the costs of final delivery to your destination.
What is FOB is Shipping Point?
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.
What is the most commonly used shipping point?
While FOB is the most commonly-used shipping point, others include: FAS. Free Alongside, which means that the seller must deliver goods on a ship that pulls up next to a ship of a certain name, close enough that the ship can use its lifting devices to bring it onboard. FCA.
How are shipping costs determined?
While shipping costs are determined by when the buyer takes ownership of a particular order of goods, a company’s accounting system is also impacted. If a shipment is sent FOB Shipping Point (the seller’s warehouse), then the sale is concluded as soon as the truck pulls out of the seller’s loading dock and is noted in the accounting system as such.
When selling to overseas buyers, is it in your best interest for the buyer to become responsible?
Conversely, when you are selling to an overseas buyer, it is in your best interest for the buyer to become responsible as soon as it leaves your loading dock.
Why do you need to have a FOB shipping point?
Buyers must insist on FOB shipping point terms as it gives them complete control over the delivery of goods after they leave seller’s warehouse (or shipping dock). On the other hand, FOB Destination allows the buyer to add the inventory only when the purchase shipment reaches in perfect condition.
What is FOB shipping?
FOB Shipping Point or ‘Free on Board Shipping Point’ or ‘FOR Origin’ is a shipping term indicating that a buyer must pay for the delivery of the goods. This means that the title of the goods passes to the buyer as soon as the shipment leaves the seller’s warehouse (or shipping dock). It also means that the seller should record the sale when ...
What is FOB destination?
In FOB Destination, the seller and buyer record the sale (and purchase) only after the shipment reaches the buyer’s dock. Another difference is in the division of costs. Under the FOB shipping point, the seller bears the cost until the shipment reaches the supplier’s shipping dock. Once the goods are on the ship, ...
What happens if the goods get damaged in transit?
So, if the goods get damaged in transit, the buyer must file a claim with the insurance company. Table of Contents.
When do you record a FOB shipping?
In FOB Shipping Point buyer must record the purchase as soon as the good leave seller’s warehouse (or shipping dock). In practice, however, it is difficult for the buyer to record the delivery when the goods leave the seller’s warehouse. It requires proper notifications for making an entry into the buyer’s inventory management system. Thus, the receipt of goods completes at the receiving dock of the buyer.
When does Company A record the sale of goods?
Company A puts the goods onto a common carrier on December 30 , and the same arrives at the buyer’s location on January 2. In this case, both seller and buyer record the transaction in their accounts on December 30. Seller will record the sale, increase accounts receivable and reduce the inventory.
Who is responsible for the goods during transit?
Seller remains the owner of the goods and is also responsible for the goods during the transit. There is a difference in accounting as well. In FOB Shipping Point, both seller and buyer record the delivery once the shipment leaves the seller ’s warehouse (or shipping dock).
What does FOB mean in shipping?
A short history of FOB. In shipping terms, FOB is short for Free On Board. The term comes from the maritime shipping world and describes who was liable for damage to goods while in transit by sea: the buyer. When ownership of a shipment transferred from seller to buyer as the goods crossed the ship’s rail, the goods were referred ...
Why is FOB important?
Why FOB matters. For businesses shipping a lot of goods back and forth, understanding FOB is the key to knowing who is liable for the safe delivery of a shipment and who owns the goods at any given point in the shipping cycle. This can also be important information for accountants, who may record the moment a transaction takes place based on ...
What is FOB on Etsy?
The term FOB is more likely to come into play on shipments of large goods ( office furniture, tubas, lawnmowers) and business-to-business or wholesale shipments. Not many Etsy sellers will tell you they are shipping your dreamcatcher earrings "FOB Dallas.".
When ownership of a shipment transferred from seller to buyer as the goods crossed the ship’s rail, the goods were?
When ownership of a shipment transferred from seller to buyer as the goods crossed the ship’s rail, the goods were referred to as "free on board." If the ship sank, the buyer would be on the hook for an FOB shipment because the buyer had already taken ownership.
What does "fob" mean in the US?
When you think about the acronym FOB, you might think of Fresh Off the Boat (a term for a recent immigrant to the US, as well as a TV comedy ). If you’re a fan of the Victorian era, the term might bring to mind an image of an elegant watch fob. But for sellers who deal with delivery -- and sales taxes -- FOB is all about shipping.
What does "FOB origin" mean?
Origin vs. destination. When an order is "FOB origin," it means the transfer of ownership happens when it leaves the seller’s hands. If any shipping is required to get the goods to the buyer, the buyer will contract for that shipping and pay for it.
Who is responsible for arranging and paying for transportation to the buyer?
The seller is responsible for arranging and paying for transportation to the buyer (though the seller may charge the buyer for those transportation costs) and is also liable for any damage while the goods are en route to the buyer. The term FOB is more likely to come into play on shipments of large goods (office furniture, tubas, ...
What is FOB shipping?
FOB shipping point and FOB destination indicate the point at which the title of goods transfers from the seller to the buyer. The distinction is important in specifying who is liable for goods lost or damaged during shipping. The primary difference between the two contracts is in the timing of the transfer of the title for the goods. 2
Who is responsible for the cost of shipping to a FOB destination?
Once the goods are on the ship, the buyer is financially responsible for all costs associated with transport as well as customs, taxes, and other fees. For FOB destination, the seller assumes all costs ...
What happens if a carrier damages a package?
If the designated carrier damages the package during delivery, Company ABC assumes full responsibility and cannot ask the supplier to reimburse the company for the losses or damages. The supplier is only responsible for bringing the electronic devices to the carrier.
What does free on board shipping mean?
Free on board shipping point indicates that the buyer takes responsibility for loss or damage the moment the goods get to the shipper.
How does shipping affect inventory?
Shipping terms affect the buyer's inventory cost because inventory costs include all costs to prepare the inventory for sale. This accounting treatment is important because adding costs to inventory means the buyer does not immediately expense the costs and this delay in recognizing the cost as an expense affects net income.
Where does the title of ownership of a FOB destination transfer?
Conversely, with FOB destination, the title of ownership is transferred at the buyer’s loading dock, post office box, or office building. Once the goods are delivered to the buyer’s specified location, the title of ownership of the goods transfers from the seller to the buyer. Consequently, the seller legally owns the goods and is responsible for the goods during the shipping process.
What is free on board?
Free on board, also referred to as freight on board, only refers to shipments made via waterways, and does not apply to any goods transported by vehicle or by air. 2 .

What Is Fob Is Shipping Point?
Fob Destination
- If the seller of goods quotes a price that is FOB shipping point, the sale takes place when the seller puts the goods on a common carrier at the seller's dock. Therefore, when the goods are being transported to the buyer, they are owned by the buyer and the buyer is responsible for the shipping costs. If a seller of goods quotes a price that is FOB...
Accounting Relevance
Other Shipping Terms
- 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. That also means that if a pallet of je...