duty-free

adjective or adverb

ˌdü-tē-ˈfrē How to pronounce duty-free (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
That trade exemption enabled businesses like Shein to ship packages into the U.S. duty-free if the individual shipment cost less than $800. Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 11 July 2025 The Vietnamese agreed to let U.S. products into the country duty-free while accepting a 20% tax on their exports to the United States, Trump said, though details of the agreement have not been released. Paul Wiseman, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2025 China is opening more duty-free shops around the country in an effort to bolster spending within the country. Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 9 July 2025 Trump has announced a deal with Vietnam that would allow U.S. goods to enter the country duty-free, while Vietnamese exports to the U.S. would face a 20% levy. Ellen Knickmeyer, Twin Cities, 7 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for duty-free

Word History

First Known Use

1689, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of duty-free was in 1689

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Cite this Entry

“Duty-free.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/duty-free. Accessed 20 Jul. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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