DUTY-FREE Definition & Meaning

duty-free

[doo-tee-free, dyoo-]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

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.

duty-free

adjective

with exemption from customs or excise duties

noun

goods sold in a duty-free shop

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of duty-free¹

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

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

This legislation guarantees duty-free access to American consumers for certain goods from Africa.

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This gave South Africa duty-free access to the US market for certain goods, and is credited with having boosted South Africa's fragile economy.

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The duty-free rule was closed by the Trump administration earlier this month.

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Customs and Border Protection processes “nearly 4 million duty-free de minimis shipments a day,” most of them coming from China and Hong Kong, a spokesperson for the agency told CNN.

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Temu, based in China, raised prices in recent days after Trump hiked tariffs and closed a loophole that allowed duty-free shipments to the U.S.

From

duty-bound duty-free shop

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