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Who can shop?
Based on Host Nation Law and international agreements the new E-3A Component Order 8.1-11,
effective 1 July 2010, authorizes the following people to use NATEX facilities:
- All E-3A Component Blue NATO ID-Card Holders
- All NATO personnel, plus force members from the "sending six countries" and family members, assigned to a NATO headquarters installation inside Germany. ("Sending six countries" are Belgium, Canada, France, The Netherlands, United Kingdom and United States)
- All NATO personnel, plus force members from NATO member states, assigned to installations outside Germany who are on temporary duty orders (TDY) to Geilenkirchen NATO Air Base. ( Persons on TDY to Geilenkirchen need to present their TDY orders to the VAT office at building 80 and obtain a shopping permit to be stamped on their TDY order. This stamp is only available at the E-3A Component VAT Office, Building # 80, Monday to Thursday 9:00-11:30 and 14:00-15:30, and Friday 9:00-11:30.)
- U.S. service and family members stationed in Europe or North Africa who are on pass or leave orders to Germany.
What identification do you need?
As a rule, you need two forms of identification:
First, NATO or national military ID-Card and second, NATO or national ration card - the only exception being the
blue E-3A Component ID-Card as sole identification for the purchase of unrationed items up to 75 Euro per item.
What can you buy?
A blue E-3A Component ID-Card entitles the holder to purchase unrationed items up to an individual value per item of 75 Euro - no matter what his nationality or service is.(Example: Your total purchase amount can exceed 75 Euros and in fact is unlimited, however no single item can exceed 75 Euros per item)
A blue E-3A Component ID-Card and a blue ration card/shopping permit or a national ration card of the BEL, CAN, FRA, GBR, NLD or USA forces additionally allows the purchase of any non-rationed items without value limit and the rations as indicated on the ration card.
Rationed items are fuel, coffee, tobacco and alcohol.
Coffee rations are 2.5 kilogram per month.
Alcohol:
The threshold for alcohol has been raised from 22% to 38%. Therefore, all alcohol under 38% vol, may be purchased without a ration card. Alcohol above 38% remains rationed, and as such personnel holding a ration card may purchase 6 liters per month.
Tobacco:
Entitled personnel may purchase two hundred cigarettes (or the tobacco/cigar equivalent) per week.
The customs authorities may claim customs and taxes for quantities that appear to exceed the typical quantities for personal use and consumption, also for unrationed goods.
Reminder:
Effective 01 Jan 2012, the NEW NATO shopping card will be required when making a purchase at any of the NATEX outlets.
For additional questions please contact OFC-LAO@e3a.nato.int
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