C&F Agent (Carrying and Forwarding Agent)
A regional intermediary who holds a brand's stock in a state-level warehouse and dispatches to distributors on the brand's behalf.
Full definition
A C&F agent, Carrying and Forwarding Agent, is a regional intermediary appointed by a brand to hold inventory in a state-level warehouse and dispatch to distributors against the brand's instructions. C&Fs do not own the stock (unlike distributors), they merely carry it forward. They earn a commission on volume plus a reimbursement for warehouse and handling costs.
The C&F model is popular in Indian FMCG because every state has its own GST registration requirement, appointing a C&F in each state gives the brand a legal presence without the complexity of owning warehouses everywhere. C&Fs also absorb demand spikes, serve as regional buffer stock, and take care of local tax compliance.
A multi-tenant distribution platform typically treats C&Fs as a separate entity type with distinct ownership, pricing, and visibility rules.
Real-world example
A Tamil Nadu C&F of Marico holds 50,000 cases in a Chennai warehouse and dispatches to 200 distributors across the state as per daily release orders from head office.
Where it applies
Applicable industries
This term is relevant across the following SpireStock-supported industries.
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Related SpireStock features
The concepts described above are implemented end-to-end in these product modules.
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