Authorized Patrons
Unlimited Privileges
- Active Duty or Reserve Uniformed and Retired Uniformed personnel.
- Recipients of the Medal of Honor.
- Honorably Discharged Veterans when certified 100% disabled.
- Military Members of Foreign Nations when on duty with U.S. Military Service.
- National Guard not in Federal Service.
- Red Cross Personnel who are U.S. citizens, assigned outside the U.S. with the Military Service.
- U.S. Civilian DoD Employees when stationed outside the U.S.
- U.S. Citizen Employees of Firms under contract to the Department of Defense when employed outside the U.S.
- Military Transition Personnel.
- Retired Ship’s Officers and Crew members of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, NOAA.
- Ship’s Officers and Crew members of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, NOAA.
- Dependent family members of personnel listed above.
- Contract Surgeons.
- Non-DoD Federal Departments/Agencies as determined by local commanding officer.
- Dependents of members of the armed forces, commissioned officers of the Public Health Service or commissioned officers of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association who have been separated for dependent abuse.
Limited Privileges
Limited Exchange Privileges generally exclude tobacco products, alcoholic beverages and military uniforms.
- Honorably discharged Veterans can shop online at shopmyexchange.com. The Veterans online shopping benefit does not grant on-installation access. For more information about this benefit, please check out our Veterans page
- U.S. Government Civilian Employees and Full-time Paid Staff of the Red Cross who reside on military installations within the U.S. or Puerto Rico. Alcohol purchases are authorized if consumed on the installation.
- Armed Forces Exchange Employees.
- DoD Civilian Employees on Evacuation Orders.
- Family members of the personnel mentioned above.
- DoD Civilians on Temporary Duty status when occupying Government quarters in the U.S.
- Civilian Employees of the U.S. Government working on, but residing off, Military Installations are authorized to purchase all food and beverages sold at exchange locations, if consumed on post.
- Uniformed and Non-Uniformed Personnel working in recognized welfare service organization offices within an Activity of the Military Service are authorized to purchase all food and beverages sold at exchange locations, if consumed on post.
- Visitors to Military installations are authorized to purchase all food and beverages sold at exchange locations, if consumed on post.
- Contract Technical Services Personnel in travel status; Army, Navy, Air Force Academy Applicants when occupying Government quarters in the U.S.
- Foreign National Active Duty Officer and Enlisted Members, when visiting U.S. Military Installation for unofficial business. Merchandise is restricted to quantities required for personal use.
- Service members in Civil Air Patrol in travel status and occupying Government quarters on a DoD Installation may purchase uniform items when Civil Air Patrol membership card is shown.
- Civil Air Patrol Cadets may purchase uniform items when Civil Air Patrol membership card is shown and all food and beverages sold at exchange locations, if consumed on post.
- Members of the Officer Reserve Training Corps and Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps when visiting installations under orders as part of a Service orientation program.
- Members of the Naval Sea Cadets attending two week training course, if occupying Government quarters on a Military installation.
- Coast Guard Auxiliary Members.
- Civilian Students and Faculty Members at Service Schools may purchase books, supplies and materials related to the educational process, only at exchange facilities that support the school.
- Hardship – Persons who are “stranded on an installation” may purchase small quantities of gasoline, oil, other automotive items, or items necessary for an individual’s health.
- DoD Civilian Employees using Government-authorized vehicles for official business may purchase gasoline for those vehicles.
Only authorized patrons are entitled to exchange privileges, except when prohibited by treaty or other international agreements in foreign countries. For more information about authorized patrons, go to: DODI 1330.21 Armed Services Exchange Regulations.
Europe Privileges
- Exchange privileges in overseas areas are not automatic.
- Overseas commanders, in accordance with the host country’s / U.S. international agreements determine who will be extended shopping privileges and access to duty free goods.
- The Exchange does not determine shopping privileges / access to duty free goods.
Command Regulations that Govern Overseas Shopping Privileges
CATEGORY |
Active Duty U.S. Military, DoD Civilians & dependents |
Retired U.S. Military & Dependents |
||
STATUS |
Assigned or TDY to specific country |
On leave from another country / area |
Visiting from U.S. |
Residing in specific county |
Belgium | YES | NO | NO | (See Note 2) |
Germany | YES | (See Note 3) | (See Note 4) | (See Note 4) |
Greece | YES | (See Note 5) | NO | (See Note 6) |
Italy | YES | (See Note 7) | (See Note 8) | (See Note 8) |
Netherlands | YES | NO | NO | NO |
Norway | YES | NO | NO | (See Note 9) |
Saudi Arabia | YES | NO | NO | NO |
Spain | YES | NO | NO | NO |
Turkey | YES | NO | NO | NO |
United Kingdom | YES | NO | NO | (See Note 10) |
Notes
- Personnel from outside the NATO area who are on TDY for less than 30 days have their TDY orders stamped by the local billeting office for entry to commissary and exchange facilities and to purchase rationed items. These personnel who are on TDY for 30 days or more must obtain a ration card for entry to the facilities in Greece, Turkey, Netherlands, and the United Kingdom, and to purchase rationed items in all countries. Member of the reserve components must be on active duty for training (ADT) status for entry to commissaries and exchanges.
- Privileges may be granted on a case-by-case basis by the Commander, NATO / SHAPE Support Group, in coordination with the US Ambassador to Belgium. (Authority: CINCUSAREUR / ADAGX Letter, 19 November 1981)
- Only personnel stationed in Europe and North Africa.
- Must be ordinarily resident or be visiting in Germany for a period of 30 days or more. Rationed items may not be purchased. All purchases are subject to the payment of a fixed rate tax to German customs. Entry to commissary and exchange facilities requires DD Form 2AF (Retired) or DD Form 1173, and a German Customs Certificate. (Authority: German Federal Ministry of Finance Decree, 20 July 1981; USAFER 400-4; and USAFE Supplement 1 to AFR 415-15). Also, see USAREUR 600-700 Chapter 13.
- Only personnel stationed in the NATO are. Personnel may not purchase controlled items (e.g. electronic and other expensive items.
- Must be ordinarily resident of Greece.
- Personnel stationed in the NATO area may purchase rationed items. Personnel stationed outside the NATO area may not purchase rationed items (Authority: 40 TACG / JA Message 281330z Sep 87)
- May purchase non-rationed items only.
- Must be ordinarily resident in Norway. Rationed items may not be purchased. All purchases are subject to the prepayment of a fixed rate tax to Norwegian customs authorities. Access to the facilities requires presentation of a valid ID card and Military Retirees’ Limited Privilege Card. (Authority: US-Norway Memorandum of Understanding, 12 September 1985).
- Must be ordinary resident in the United Kingdom. Rationed items may not be purchased. All purchases are subject to the prepayment of a fixed rate tax to British customs authorities. Access to the facilities requires USAFE Form 174a. (Authority: 3AF-HM Customs & Excise Memorandum of Understanding, 28 March 1983, and 3AF Regulation 34-1)
PACRIM Privileges
- Exchange privileges in overseas areas are not automatic.
- Overseas commanders, in accordance with the host country’s / U.S. international agreements determine who will be extended shopping privileges and access to duty free goods.
- The Exchange does not determine shopping privileges / access to duty free goods.
- Specific questions may be directed to the overseas command at the addresses listed at the end of this document.
Command Regulations that Govern Overseas Shopping Privileges
CATEGORY |
Active Duty U.S. Military, DoD Civilians & dependents |
Retired U.S. Military |
|
STATUS |
Assigned or TDY to |
On leave from |
Residing or Visiting |
Guam | YES | YES | YES |
Korea | YES (Note 1) | YES (Note 2) | YES (Note 3) |
Japan / Okinawa | YES (Note 4,5,7) | YES (Note 4,5,6,7) | YES (Note 8) |
Notes
- Ration Control limits apply for dependents on TDY status.
- Accompanied dependents are authorized. Unaccompanied dependents are not authorized unless have EML orders, active duty dependents only.
- Must be receiving full retirement pay and benefits or 100% disabled. Dependents residing or visiting with sponsor are authorized. Dependents residing or visiting without sponsor are not authorized.
- A reservist must be on active duty (orders). Dependents of reservists are authorized only when the reservist is assigned to active duty.
- Military family members are authorized only when the service member is assigned to Japan or present in country.
- DoD civilians on leave NOT authorized.
- DoD civilian dependents NOT authorized unless sponsor is assigned to Japan or physically in country on TDY orders.
- Retiree family members are authorized entry into the store when accompanied by retired service member. However, purchases are limited to those made by the retired service member.
For Further Assistance
Guam |
36th MSS / MPF |
Korea |
USFK, J-1 |
Japan/Okinawa
Misawa |
Air Force Commander |
Yokota |
Air Force Support Group Commander |
Japan Army Facilities |
Army Garrison Commander |
Kadena |
Air Force Department of the Air Force |
Okinawa Army Facilities |
Army Installation Coordinator |
Okinawa Marine Facilities |
USMC Provost Marshall Office |
Okinawa Naval Facilities |
Navy Commanding Officer |