Duty-free jewelry does not mean the same thing as tax-free, although both terms can characterize shopping for jewelry and other valuable goods in the Caribbean. Duty-free refers to the customs fees countries impose on exported and imported goods. Since local governments place customs duties on imported goods, that often means designer brands that aren’t manufactured in the United States have much higher costs if you try to purchase them at home.

Tax-free sales allow you to buy without paying country-specific added costs like sales tax. Any locally imposed taxes from the country where you’re making your purchase would not apply (or if they do in most cases are reimbursable), and you won’t have to worry about incurring the extra tax-related costs you would face if you bought the same piece at a store in the United States. When purchasing duty-free, you’ll find tax-free benefits as well as duty-free ones, making for substantial savings you get to enjoy while on vacation.

Thanks to the parts of the world where duty-free shopping is available, these extra fees no longer have to weigh down your wallet, and you can finally go after those luxury items you’ve always dreamed of having or giving to a loved one.