# Highway carrier

*Last updated: 2026-06-24*

> Highway carriers are haulage companies that transport goods by truck, operating their own or leased vehicle fleets on domestic and international routes.

Highway carriers are haulage companies that transport goods by truck, operating their own or leased vehicle fleets on domestic and international routes. They handle the full spectrum of road freight, from less-than-truckload (LTL) consolidations to full truckload (FTL) shipments. Many carriers extend their services to include warehousing, cargo handling, and customs clearance, with charges typically calculated by weight, volume, or fixed-rate tariff. On cross-border movements, carrier liability is governed by the CMR Convention; domestically, national transport law applies. The highway carrier is distinct from the freight forwarder, who arranges and coordinates shipments but does not necessarily operate vehicles.

**Source:** [https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/49/13102](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/49/13102)

## Quick Facts

| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Term | Highway carrier |
| Language | EN |
| Word count | 98 |
| Last updated | 2026-06-24 |
| Source | https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/49/13102 |

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