duty free

Meaning

This term refers to goods that can be bought at international airports, sea ports, or onboard flights without paying local government taxes (duties). It is commonly used as an adjective or a noun to describe the shops that sell these tax-free products. Travelers often buy perfume, alcohol, and chocolates here.

Examples

• I always buy my favorite perfume at the duty free shop because it's cheaper.

  I always buy my favorite perfume at the duty free shop because it's cheaper.

• Is it really cheaper to buy electronics in duty free, or is it a marketing trick?

  Is it really cheaper to buy electronics in duty free, or is it a marketing trick?

• We have an hour before our flight, so let's browse the duty free.

  We have an hour before our flight, so let's browse the duty free.

• You can only buy duty free goods if you are traveling on an international flight.

  You can only buy duty free goods if you are traveling on an international flight.

• He bought a bottle of whiskey at duty free as a gift for his host.

  He bought a bottle of whiskey at duty free as a gift for his host.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I bought this perfume in the free duty shop.

  ✓ I bought this perfume in the duty-free shop.

  The correct word order is always 'duty free' (tax-free), not 'free duty.'

• ✗ Is this item taxless?

  ✓ Is this item duty-free?

  While 'tax-free' is acceptable, 'duty-free' is the standard term used globally in airports and ports.

Related Expressions

Practice

• I need to stop by the ___ to pick up some Swiss chocolate before boarding.

  💡 The shop where you buy goods without local taxes.

  Show answer

  duty free

• Are these cigarettes ___ or do I have to pay local taxes on them?

  💡 Two words meaning exempt from customs duties.

  Show answer

  duty free