USFK Announces New Purchasing and Entry Requirements to Exchanges and Commissaries
I guess this change really doesn’t matter because the blackmarketers always seem to get what they need regardless of what AAFES and the commissaries do:
The U.S. military has lifted monthly commissary purchase limits and eased other restrictions on shoppers at base stores in South Korea.
The new policy, which took effect Wednesday, also allows even patrons who don’t have purchasing privileges to enter commissaries and department store-style exchanges, although they’re not allowed to buy anything.
The change came as U.S. Forces Korea, the main command for some 28,500 troops based on the divided peninsula, is trying to make it a more attractive assignment.
However, limits remain as USFK seeks to prevent black market sales of goods sold on base. Alcohol sales, for example, will continue to be restricted.
Authorized shoppers also must show a military ID or ration card at the cash register, according to the new policy that was announced in a Sept. 11 memo signed by Air Force Maj. Gen. Stephen Williams, USFK chief of staff.
Stars & Stripes
You can read more at the link, but some of the biggest blackmarket schemes in the past have involved AAFES and commissary employees. If it gets too bad I guess USFK could always send in the clowns again.
Shoppers were and are just a tiny fraction of any black marketing. Most done by the Korean px and commissary workers or others in the supply chain. My all time favorite was the Hanam tunnel; pX employes dug a tunnel from Hanam village shopette storage room to friends shop just outside the wall. Smuggled alcohol out by a convayor system.
Wow. I’m impressed that the military exchanges and commissaries in Korea have caught up to the entry and purchase rules of the stateside exchanges and commissaries. The stateside rules have only been in place for about 25 years or so. At least the pace of this change wasn’t glacial. Or was it?
Need help. Wife is Korean, US citizen, US passport, military ID. She may travel to SK in Nov. With above will she be allowed access to US installations? Will she be able to shop in PX? Will she need ration card to shop commissary? Not likely she will use US facilities unless Chinhae USNS but should prepare.
So basically, those with Korean-American business partners, err I mean just friends, from whom they normally get a shopping list from, can now just go shopping together inside the commissary and put what they want in their “friends” cart. Removing the monthly commissary purchase limits is a great idea, lol.
Is she on active duty in the military or retired from the military herself? If so, she just has to register in DBIDS and then into the ration control system.
If she’s not in the military and you are on active duty, you have to be in Korea on PCS–not TDY–orders for her to purchase anything at the above mentioned outfits.
If you are retired from the military yourself and she has a dependent ID card, then you have to be in country the same time she is to get her a ration card; of course you have to register you both in DBIDS and ration control. Without you in country, she does not qualify for one. You can apply for an exception to policy, though.
Here’s the lowdown: https://8tharmy.korea.army.mil/19esc/ration/#targetText=RATION%20CONTROL,goods%20on%20the%20local%20economy.
Oh, more fun. If you are not in country and she’s a dependent (not military herself), then she cannot stay in the on-base lodges/hotels either.
Wonder if this is going to cause a spike in shoplifting.
They should put up a “Loitering is not allowed” sign for the people that can enter, but aren’t allowed to buy anything.
This is really a great service by USFK.
Generally, I have to give a vague shopping list to a valid shopper who may not actually know how to select a proper ox tail or be aware which high-dollar whiskey is the best if the selection.
Now I can make my own selection and put it in their cart.
Just when you think USFK can say one thing and do another an worse than last time.
The new Super Commissary can experience the same shortages like Yongsan used to.
Black market people are no longer apprehended by military law enforcement agencies. They are now caught by the computer. Ration control is tied to DBIDS. I have never know anyone getting in trouble for exceeding their dollar limit. They are caught for excessive purchases. The items are highly profiled. Including age.
Limits are back in place, who can we blame ? lol
Dollar amount purchase limits have been reinstated for Commissary shoppers, as of Jan. 23.
https://www.facebook.com/usaghumphreys/photos/pcb.10157863572688749/10157863569108749/?type=3&theater
@Andy
The stupid Daegu retiree.