FOB destination definition — AccountingTools (2024)

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. There are four variations on FOB destination terms, which are noted below.

FOB Destination, Freight Prepaid and Allowed

The seller pays and bears the freight charges and owns the goods while they are in transit. Title passes at the buyer's location.

FOB Destination, Freight Prepaid and Added

The seller pays the freight charges but bills them to the customer. The seller owns the goods while they are in transit. Title passes at the buyer's location.

FOB Destination, Freight Collect

The buyer pays the freight charges at time of receipt, though the supplier still owns the goods while they are in transit.

FOB Destination, Freight Collect and Allowed

The buyer pays for the freight costs, but deducts the cost from the supplier's invoice. The seller still owns the goods while they are in transit.

Thus, the key elements of all the variations on FOB destination are the physical location during transit at which title changes and who pays for the freight. If a buyer's transportation department is proactive, it may avoid FOB destination terms, instead favoring FOB shipping point terms so that it can better control the logistics process.

Any type of FOB terms may be superseded if a customer elects to override those terms with customer-arranged pickup, where a customer arranges to have goods picked up at the seller's location, and takes responsibility for the goods at that point. In this situation, the billing staff must be aware of the new delivery terms, so that it does not bill freight to the customer.

Since the buyer takes ownership of the goods at its own receiving dock, that is also where the seller should record a sale.

The buyer should record an increase in its inventory at the same point (since the buyer is undertaking the risks and rewards of ownership, which occurs at the point of arrival at its shipping dock). Also, under FOB destination terms, the seller is responsible for the cost of shipping the product.

If the goods are damaged in transit, the seller should file a claim with the insurance carrier, since the seller has title to the goods during the period when the goods were damaged.

In reality, the shipper will probably record a sale as soon as merchandise leaves its shipping dock, irrespective of the terms of delivery. Thus, the real impact of FOB destination terms is the determination of who pays for the freight expense.

FOB destination definition —  AccountingTools (2024)

FAQs

FOB destination definition — AccountingTools? ›

The seller pays the freight charges but bills them to the customer. The seller owns the goods while they are in transit. Title passes at the buyer's location.

What does FOB destination mean in accounting? ›

Free on Board: Destination

In a FOB destination agreement, the seller retains ownership of the goods (and is therefore responsible for replacing damaged or lost goods) up until the point where the goods have reached their final destination.

What is an example of a FOB destination? ›

FOB shipping point is a term used in the transportation industry to indicate who is responsible for the costs associated with the shipment of goods. For example, if the buyer has agreed to FOB shipping point, then the buyer is responsible for the shipping costs from the seller's warehouse to the buyer's destination.

What is FOB destination and FOB origin? ›

Destination” contract is a “delivered price” where the cost of transportation is “built in” to the price. On the other hand, the price of the goods specified in an “F.O.B. Origin” contract does not include a charge for transporting the goods from the seller to the buyer.

How do you record a FOB destination? ›

FOB Destination in accounting

Only once goods have arrived at the final shipping destination should they be reported as a purchase and as inventory by the buyer. Equally, only once the goods reach the destination will the seller record it as a sale and an increase in accounts receivable.

Is FOB destination a liability? ›

FOB destination means the seller pays for sending and assumes all liability while items are in transit. Under an FOB destination agreement, the seller owns the items until the buyer gets them at delivery. The seller can transfer sending costs to the buyer, but they're still liable for items until delivery is complete.

Is FOB prepaid or payable? ›

FOB Origin, Freight Prepaid: The seller/shipper pays the cost of shipping while the buyer/receiver of goods assumes the responsibility of goods at the point of origin. FOB Origin, Freight Collect: The buyer pays for freight and shipping costs and assumes full responsibility for the cargo.

Who pays freight on FOB? ›

FOB freight collect and allowed specifies that the buyer must pay for the freight transportation costs. However, the buyer deducts the cost from the seller's invoice. The seller is responsible for the goods because the seller still owns the goods during transit.

Is FOB destination an asset? ›

FOB Destination Point Accounting

They are categorized as current assets on the balance sheet as the payments expected within a year. read more by the seller and as a purchase and inventory by the buyer.

What is the difference between FOB buyer and FOB destination? ›

"FOB Origin" means the buyer assumes all risk once the seller ships the product. "FOB Destination" means the seller retains the risk of loss until the goods reach the buyer. FOB terms can impact inventory, shipping, and insurance costs.

Is FOB destination part of inventory? ›

The term FOB is an abbreviation of free on board. 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.

What does FOB mean in a purchase order? ›

Definitions. The term "Free on Board" F.O.B. 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. F.O.B.

What is the opposite of FOB destination? ›

'FOB Destination, Freight Prepaid' is the opposite of 'FOB Destination, Freight Collect' and is used to indicate that the seller assumes the cost of freight.

What does FOB mean in journal entry? ›

FOB Shipping Point means the buyer is responsible for shipping and must pay and record for shipping. Buyers must record shipping charges as transportation in (or Freight In) when the goods were shipped FOB shipping point and they have received title to the merchandise.

How do you write FOB on an invoice? ›

FOB Destination is written out as the destination city. For example, if a company was shipping its goods to New York City, it would be written out as FOB New York.

Who pays for FOB origin vs destination? ›

FOB shipping point holds the seller liable for the goods until the goods begin their transport to the customer, while FOB destination holds the seller liable for the goods until they have reached the customer. International Chamber of Commerce. "Incoterms 2020." International Chamber of Commerce.

Who owns FOB destination? ›

FOB (Freight on Board) Destination is a shipping term which means that the seller retains the legal title to the goods until they reach the location of the buyer. In this case, the seller pays for the transportation of the freight and takes care of additional freight charges until the goods reach the buyer.

Does FOB mean freight is included? ›

FOB Origin, Freight prepaid and charged back.

Rather than covering the cost of shipping, the shipper adds freight costs to the original invoice, but the receiver bears the cost due to it being added directly to the invoice.

What are the different types of FOB? ›

There are two types of FOB, which are FOB destination and FOB shipping point. The type of FOB to be used is typically designated in a customer's purchase order, and is also stated on the supplier's invoice to the customer.

What are FOB terms on an invoice? ›

On an invoice, FOB means 'Free on board' or 'Freight on board'. The FOB term refers to the moment where a business that is shipping products is no longer responsible for the items.

Does FOB include insurance and freight? ›

Under FOB contracts, the buyer is responsible for shipping and other costs, as well as insurance as soon as the goods are loaded onto the vessel and during the voyage.

What is the journal entry for FOB shipping point? ›

FOB Shipping Point means the buyer is responsible for shipping and must pay and record for shipping. As the seller, we will record any shipping costs in the Delivery Expense account as a debit. We will credit cash or accounts payable, depending on if we paid it or not.

Who pays freight on ex works? ›

Key Takeaways. Ex Works (EXW) is a shipping arrangement in which a seller makes a product available at a specific location, but the buyer has to pay the transport costs.

Who pays in freight out? ›

Freight Out Explained

It is an expense of the seller and is on the customer as part of the overall cost of the goods. Freight-out expenses include various costs, such as packaging materials, handling fees, insurance, and transportation charges.

What are the advantages of FOB destination? ›

Most buyers choose FOB because it's arguably the most affordable or cost-effective option. Under the FOB terms, buyers do not usually pay the higher fees that CIF protection plans incur. With Free On Board, the buyer has more flexibility and control of the terms, the cost, freight planning, and more.

What is the difference between FOB and delivery? ›

This pricing term typically means that the item is priced sitting at this location listed after the FOB acronym. In other words, it is the cost while it's sitting at this location, and any shipping charges to your docks (if you live away from there) are additional.

What is another term for FOB? ›

synonyms for fob

On this page you'll find 9 synonyms, antonyms, and words related to fob, such as: buck, cap, dandy, dude, fool, and hinge.

What are the disadvantages of FOB destination? ›

A buyer can save money by using FOB Destination since the seller assumes costs and liability for the transportation. However, the disadvantage for the buyer is the lack of control over the shipment including shipment company, route and delivery time.

Does FOB include sales tax? ›

In that case, the buyer generally will not have to pay sales taxes on the shipping costs, since most states exempt freight charges paid directly to carriers from sales tax. Even if you deliver goods to your customers in your own vehicle, FOB could save the buyer from paying sales taxes on your delivery charge.

Who pays the FOB shipping point? ›

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.

Is FOB destination included in inventory? ›

The term FOB is an abbreviation of free on board. 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.

Is FOB shipping point accounts payable? ›

With a FOB shipping point sale, the buyer assumes all responsibility and legal liability for the goods purchased. This means that the buyer is responsible for recording the sale at the point of transport within their accounts payable, meaning that an increase in their inventory has taken place.

What are the two types of FOB? ›

There are two types of FOB, which are FOB destination and FOB shipping point. The type of FOB to be used is typically designated in a customer's purchase order, and is also stated on the supplier's invoice to the customer.

What does FOB mean on an invoice sheet? ›

Free on Board (FOB) is a shipment term that defines the point in the supply chain when a buyer or seller assumes responsibility for the goods being transported. FOB terms like FOB Origin and FOB Destination help define ownership, risk, and transportation costs for both buyers and sellers.

What do you put an FOB in purchase order? ›

Definitions. The term "Free on Board" F.O.B. 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.

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