Free Trader

In general terms a Free Trader is an individual not associated to one of the large trade corporations[1] going to local markets buying things and selling them on other distant markets for a profit.
Free Traders are generally loners and individuals that like to be independent.
It is rare to find a Free Trader around core regions, as the well developed XChange net, regular freight lines,the Post Office with Matter Radio make profit opportuinities quite rare. They are more frequent to the Fringe regions.
Free Traders are not Freelancers, but a Freelancer might occationally trade for profit.
Free Traders within Union space are subject to all laws (Ship must be registered, Ship master patent, Union Interstellar hygiene laws, no transport of restricted items etc.
What sets Free Traders appart from Fortune Seekers, Scavengers or Freelancers is that they ususally stick to those regulations and more or less do the same routes.
There is even a Free Trader Association and a monthly GalNet published magazine: "Point to Point"

[1] SII-Trade, SOWA, The Golden, Enroe - Export