duty-free

[ doo-tee-free, dyoo- ]

adjective

1. free of customs duty or tax on imported or exported goods:

   duty-free cargo; merchandise shipped duty-free.

2. pertaining to or selling goods for import or export free of the usual customs duty:

   a duty-free shop at the airport.

duty-free

adjective

1. with exemption from customs or excise duties

noun

1. goods sold in a duty-free shop

Word History and Origins

Origin of duty-free¹

1680–90; duty (in the sense “an import or export tax”) + -free

Example Sentences

The European Commission has proposed a cap on duty-free imports of some Ukrainian produce after months of protests from European farmers.

From BBC

So as Temu's goods are shipped directly from the factory floors, cutting out the middlemen, they become essentially duty-free.

From BBC

The higher $800 threshold for duty-free treatment has strong backing from many in the business community.

From Seattle Times

Who has time to contemplate that while browsing duty-free?

From Los Angeles Times

Some Chinese manufacturers have established factories in Mexico to exploit the benefits of the 3-year-old U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement, which allows for duty-free trade in North America for many products.

From Seattle Times