Crossword Genius

Merchant who used to be a baggage-handler? (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

exporter

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'merchant' is the definition.
(exporter is a type of merchant)

'used to be a baggage-handler?' is the wordplay.
'used to be' becomes 'ex' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'a baggage-handler?' becomes 'porter' (a porter carries baggage).
'ex'+'porter'='EXPORTER'

'who' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for exporter that I've seen before include "Business that sells its goods abroad" , "One making foreign sales" , "one selling overseas" , "One selling abroad" , "Overseas trader" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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