duty-free

American  

[doo-tee-free, dyoo-] / ˈdu tiˈfri, ˈdyu- /

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.

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duty-free British  

adjective

1. with exemption from customs or excise duties

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noun

1. goods sold in a duty-free shop

Etymology

Origin of duty-free

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

Example Sentences

At the same time, the future of the African Growth and Opportunity Act, a Clinton-era law that provides duty-free U.S. market access for some products from sub-Saharan countries, remains shaky.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 23, 2026

This allows several sub-Saharan African nations to export thousands of goods duty-free to the US.

From BBC • May 23, 2026

And it will lower tariffs on more products, and give duty-free access to pasta, chocolate, potatoes, canned peaches, eggs and certain poultry products.

From Barron's • May 22, 2026

However, a consistent duty-free regime across such a heterogenous continent could result in uneven gains, Johnston notes.

From BBC • Apr. 30, 2026

Private enterprise was supposed to build an industrial duty-free port in Bolivia Mar. Thus far the free market has not accepted the challenge.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann