When referring to cargo or passenger transportation, this means a company or individual in the business of transporting passengers or goods. See definition for transportation carrier. Such transportation may or may not be “for hire.” Common carriers and contract carriers perform transportation “for hire,” whereas private carriers perform carriage as an incidental or included service as of a business supply chain, delivery chain, or as part of the provision of a business service. When referring to insurance, this means a company or individual in the business of issuing insurance policys. See definition for insurance carrier (a party which “carries,” or “underwrites,” the financial risks of an insurance contract). This term may refer to various types of businesses in addition to physical transportation and insurance. For example, a provider of telecommunication services (i.e., a telephone company, who “carries” voice and/or data transmissions). (HAZMAT) A person engaged in the transportation of passengers or property by land or water as a common carrier, contract carrier, or private carrier, or by civil aircraft.
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