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

Hotel occupancy and sales at duty-free shops in Haikou also spiked during the holiday.

From Los Angeles Times

Agricultural Minister István Nagy told a news conference that a 2022 European Union decision to allow for duty-free imports from Ukraine, meant to help keep its economy afloat after Russia’s invasion, had led to “severe oversupply and significantly low prices” in the European agricultural market.

From Seattle Times

In 2016, Congress amended the 1930 Tariff Act to allow importers to ship in customers’ orders valued below $800 duty-free.

From Seattle Times

While last week, the European Commission proposed a cap on duty-free imports of some Ukrainian produce after farmers in Poland and Hungary complained that the European Union was not doing enough to halt cheap imports from Ukraine undercutting local produce.

From BBC

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

From BBC