Hi Norm, one of my ancestors was a shipping commission agent in the 19th century. I think he was probably a shipping agent or worked for one.
I have just googled the following,
The description is failry broad but they acted as agents for other parties in this way.
If Mr A was in London but wanted to import tea, for instance, in Bristol he would want his interests looked after and would employ an agent to do this for him locally in return for a fee or commission. In this way he did not need to be in Bristol but was not at the mercy of local dock workers and shipping agents who might rip him off.
The term applied to all kinds of work, not just shipping, but was simply the employment of a local agent to look after your interests.
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