Contract Carrier

A contract carrier is a transportation company that provides shipping services to a specific customer under a contractual agreement. Unlike common carriers, which offer their services to the public at large, contract carriers operate exclusively for a single customer or a limited number of customers. 

The contractual agreement between the contract carrier and the customer typically outlines the specific terms and conditions of the service, including the routes, schedules, and pricing. The customer may also have certain requirements for the carrier, such as the use of specific equipment or the adherence to certain safety standards. 

Contract carriers may provide various modes of transportation, including trucking, rail, air, or sea transport, depending on the needs of the customer. They may also offer specialized services, such as refrigerated transport for perishable goods or oversized load transport for heavy equipment.