GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 22, 2026
Carrier
A carrier is the legal or natural person that enters into a contract of carriage with the shipper and takes on responsibility for the physical movement of goods – by road, sea, air, or rail.
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Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freight_carrier
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Definition & Explanation
A carrier is the legal or natural person that enters into a contract of carriage with the shipper and takes on responsibility for the physical movement of goods – by road, sea, air, or rail. Liability for loss, damage, or delay is governed by the applicable international convention: CMR for road transport, CIM for rail, and the Hague-Visby Rules in maritime shipping. The carrier is also the party that issues or is named on transport documents such as the bill of lading or the air waybill. The key distinction from a freight forwarder lies in operational responsibility: a forwarder organizes and coordinates transport as an intermediary without necessarily moving goods itself, while the carrier performs the actual conveyance. In integrated logistics operations, both roles can sit within the same company.
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