duty-free
Americanadjective
-
free of customs duty or tax on imported or exported goods.
duty-free cargo; merchandise shipped duty-free.
-
pertaining to or selling goods for import or export free of the usual customs duty.
a duty-free shop at the airport.
adjective
noun
Etymology
Origin of duty-free
1680–90; duty (in the sense “an import or export tax”) + -free
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Monday the country should "prepare" for the possibility of being removed from Washington's duty-free trade programme for Africa, as ties between the two nations continue to fray.
From Barron's ● Oct. 19, 2026
It’s China’s duty-free retail mecca and a tropical oasis, to boot.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 21, 2026
The ministry's top official in charge of livestock development, Jonathan Mueke, said the immediate focus was to get more feed for farmers, including through duty-free importation of yellow maize.
From BBC ● Sep. 4, 2026
Also, King Power’s 9 billion baht debt repayment to AOT last month should ease market concerns about the financial position of King Power, which operates duty-free concessions at some airports operated by AOT.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 26, 2026
That was because he purchased like a slop- bucket of cologne from the duty-free.
From "Feed" by M.T. Anderson
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
