private carrier

A private carrier is a transportation provider that does not offer its services to the general public. Instead, they typically transport their own goods or are hired by specific individuals or companies on a contractual basis. This is distinct from a common carrier, which is obligated to serve anyone who requests their services.12

In the United States, a private carrier can be someone who transports their own goods, while a contract carrier is an independent firm hired for transportation services. Companies often use transportation firms to move products, and a key negotiation point is who is responsible for transportation costs and logistics. Private carriers are generally only liable for loss or damage due to their negligence, unlike common carriers who have stricter liability rules.23