duty-free

adjective or adverb

ˌdü-tē-ˈfrē 

ˌdyü-, 

ˈd(y)ü-tē-ˌfrē

1

: without payment of customs duties : free from duties

imported duty-free

duty-free goods

2

: relating to or selling duty-free goods

a duty-free shop

Examples of duty-free in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The lawmakers were more explicit about their concerns in the critical-minerals sector, pointing to duty-free lead imported from poorly regulated recycling operations as an example. — Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2026

Approximately 80% of Canadian goods exported to the US still enter duty-free under the provisions of this agreement. — CNBC, 9 Sep. 2026

Previously available only in select duty-free locations, the American Single Malt Whiskey will begin rolling out nationwide this fall. — Melinda Salchert, Southern Living, 26 Aug. 2026

Firestar operated a large factory inside Surat’s Special Economic Zone, a duty-free enclave that allowed the company to cut, polish and manufacture jewelry for export markets. — Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1689, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for duty-free

• agree
• allee
• banshee
• beastly
• bibi
• bowsprit
• carefree
• cerci
• chablis
• cowpea
• crappie
• crappy