A free port (porto franco) is a port with relaxed jurisdiction with respect to the country of location. Most commonly this means being free of customs or being a special customs zone with favorable customs regulations. Earlier in the history some free ports enjoyed political autonomy.
"Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit upon his hands, hoist the
black flag, and begin slitting throats."
- Henry Louis Mencken (1880-1956)
