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

Even more than competition to his bridge, Maroun objects to competition for his duty-free gasoline stations.

From The Daily Beast

One communicates with her by text, if at all, meeting only in the duty-free zones of strip clubs and hotel suites.

From The Daily Beast

All goods imported by the Company were during twenty-one years to be duty free, with the exception of foreign sugar and tobacco.

From Project Gutenberg

Buck-wheat was to be subject to the same rule: maize and buck-wheat, and the flour of these corns, were to be admitted duty free.

From Project Gutenberg

I propose that, from the passing of the act, some articles shall be admitted duty free.

From Project Gutenberg

It is true that those others would be obliged to yield the same compensation, that is to say, to receive our vessels duty free.

From Project Gutenberg

But if the varnish manufacturer is to have alcohol duty-free what is to prevent him from using some of it for drinking?

From Project Gutenberg