Translation guide
Describes goods that can be bought without paying certain local import taxes, typically in special airport shops or on international flights.
The learner wants to say that an item is free of customs duty, usually in the context of shopping while traveling internationally.
The learner wants to talk about the store where duty-free goods are sold.
The learner wants to express the action of purchasing goods without paying duty.
The most natural way to say 'buy duty-free'.
免税で買うにはパスポートが必要です。
You need your passport to buy duty-free.
免税 specifically refers to exemption from customs duty or consumption tax on goods brought into a country. 無税 is a broader term meaning 'tax-free' and can apply to other taxes. For shopping while traveling, 免税 is the correct choice.
Avoid literal translations like 義務無料 (ぎむむりょう) or 関税無料 (かんぜいむりょう). These are not used and will cause confusion. Stick to 免税.
これは免税ですか？
Is this duty-free?
免税店はどこですか？
Where is the duty-free shop?
The standard term for 'duty-free' or 'tax-exempt'. Used as a noun or in compounds like 免税店 (duty-free shop).
このお酒は免税です。
This alcohol is duty-free.
免税で買うと安いです。
It's cheaper if you buy it duty-free.
Attributive form meaning 'duty-free', used before a noun.
免税の品物はここで買えます。
You can buy duty-free goods here.
Literally 'no tax'. Can mean duty-free but is less common and may refer to other tax exemptions. Often seen in formal or legal contexts.
無税品の持ち込みには制限があります。
There are limits on bringing in duty-free items.
The standard word for 'duty-free shop'.
空港の免税店で化粧品を買いました。
I bought cosmetics at the airport duty-free shop.
Loanword from English. Commonly understood, especially in tourist areas, but 免税店 is more natural in Japanese.
あのデューティーフリーショップは品揃えがいい。
That duty-free shop has a good selection.
A more formal compound verb meaning 'to make a duty-free purchase'. Used in written instructions or official contexts.
免税購入される方はこちらのカウンターへどうぞ。
Those making duty-free purchases, please come to this counter.