Macrocyclic ligands have been studies as cation carriers in a bulk liquid membrane system. $Cu^{2+}$ has been transported using nitrogen substituted macrocycles as carriers and several transition metal ions($M^{n+};=;Mn^{2+},;Co^{2+},;Ni^{2+},;Cd^{2+},;Pb^{2+};and;Ag^{+}$) have been transported using $DBN_3O_2,;DBN_2O_2,;Me_6N_414C4$ and DA18C6 as carriers in a bulk liquid membrane system. Competitive $Cu^{2+}-M2^+$ transport studies have also been carried out for the same system. In single cation transport experiments, the best macrocyclic ligand for transport is a ligand that gives a moderately stable rather than very stable complex in the extraction. However, when both cations are present in the source phase, the cation which forms the most stable complex with carrier is favored in transport over other cations. Generally, the nitrogen substiituted macrocycles transport $Cu^{2+}$ selectively over $Mn^+$. Ligand structure, equilibrium constant (or stability constant) for complex formation, source phase pH and carrier concentration are also important parameters in transport experiments.