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