---
title: "Common Carrier"
description: "A common carrier is a company that offers service to the general public and accepts cargo subject to its available capacity."
language: en
canonical: https://www.flex.thisisbrew.com/glossary/common-carrier/
lifecycle: live
dateModified: 2026-08-20T06:44:04Z
topics:
  - "Operations & Supply Chain"
  - "Ocean Freight"
---

# Common Carrier

A common carrier is a company that offers service to the general public and accepts cargo subject to its available capacity.

## What is a Common Carrier?

A common carrier is a company that offers service to the general public and accepts cargo subject to its available capacity.

Common carriers charge a specified rate and are responsible for any loss of goods during transport.

Common carriers differ from private carriers in that private carriers may refuse the right to sell their services at their own discretion and only transport their own goods. Common carriers are required to treat all customers equally.

Back to the [full glossary](https://www.flex.thisisbrew.com/glossary/).

---

*This is a markdown version of [https://www.flex.thisisbrew.com/glossary/common-carrier/](https://www.flex.thisisbrew.com/glossary/common-carrier/) for AI/LLM consumption.*