komisjonist

Komisjonist is a term used in Norwegian and some other Nordic languages to describe a person who acts as a commission agent in commercial transactions. A komisjonist arranges sales or purchases on behalf of a principal and earns a commission, typically a percentage of the transaction price. In such arrangements the komisjonist usually does not take ownership of the goods; instead the principal retains ownership and bears the risk and rewards of the deal.

The agent’s duties typically include finding buyers or sellers, negotiating terms, preparing necessary documents, and coordinating delivery and payment. Their fiduciary duties and liability depend on the contract and applicable law; conflicts of interest must be avoided and disclosed. The term is closely related to the English concept of a commission merchant or commission broker. It is often contrasted with other roles such as a principal or a dealer who trades on their own account.

In practice, legal and commercial frameworks governing komisjonister vary by country, and terminology may differ. The role has historical roots in mercantile practice, particularly in wholesale and export-import trades, where intermediaries facilitated trade across regions.

See also: commission agent, broker, consignment, agency, principal–agent relationship.