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.
All three solutions are built to help reduce errors and customs clearance delays, which could become even more of a concern if the duty-free de minimis trade exemption for low-value shipments into the U.S. were to get axed. Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 26 Mar. 2025 The 10% tariffs came with a surprising twist: The elimination of the de minimis exclusion, a loophole that allows goods valued at less than $800 to come over the border duty-free. David Goldman, CNN, 24 Mar. 2025 The de minimis tax exemption allows packages worth less than $800 to be shipped into the U.S. tax-free and duty-free. Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Mar. 2025 When Joe Biden became president, his administration reached an agreement to let the EU import a certain amount of steel and aluminum duty-free. Caitlin Babcock, The Christian Science Monitor, 14 Mar. 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 2 Apr. 2025.

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