A common carrier is a transportation service provider that offers its services to the general public for the shipment of goods or passengers. They are legally obligated to carry goods for any customer willing to pay the established rates, as long as the goods are legal and safe to transport. In logistics, common carriers typically operate trucks, ships, or railroads, and they provide standardized services with set pricing. For beverage companies, common carriers are used to transport large volumes of drinks over various distances. The definition of common carrier emphasizes their role in maintaining accessibility, reliability, and cost-effective shipping solutions.