A more thorough explanation:

A non-vessel-operating common carrier is a type of freight forwarder that does not own the means of transportation, but contracts with a shipper to transport freight and with a carrier to perform the transportation. The non-vessel-operating common carrier becomes the carrier in the contract with the original shipper and the shipper in the contract with the eventual carrier.

For example, if a company wants to ship goods from China to the United States, they may contract with a non-vessel-operating common carrier who will then contract with a carrier to transport the goods. The non-vessel-operating common carrier will be responsible for the contract with the original shipper and the carrier will be responsible for the actual transportation of the goods.

Another example of a carrier is a common carrier, which is a commercial enterprise that holds itself out to the public as offering to transport freight or passengers for a fee. A common carrier is generally required by law to transport freight or passengers without refusal if the approved fare or charge is paid.

Private carriers, on the other hand, are any carriers that are not common carriers by law. A private carrier is not bound to accept business from the general public and is also known as a contract carrier.