Retirees' Limited Privilege Program (RLPP): A Program for U. S. Military Retirees Residing in the U. K.

  • Published
  • By RAF Mildenhall Retiree Activity Office
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  All items sold by the BX and the Commissary are duty free; this includes items that may have been produced in the U. K., as all items sold to the U. S. military bases are sold as export by the supplier, and imported duty free by the U. S. Government.

The sale of this merchandise is controlled by the NATO Status of Forces agreement of January 1951 (SOFA), this authorized only those people on orders to the U.K. in support of NATO and their family members to purchase duty free goods, eligibility of retirees was not addressed.

The H.M. Customs and Excise believe that retirees living in the U. K. of their own volition, as residents, are not authorized the purchase of duty free goods.

In 1979 the retiree community formed the U. K. Retiree Association, the large number of members gave strength to the retiree request that they be allowed to make purchases at the military facilities.

After much lobbying, the American Ambassador requested 3rd Air Force to negotiate an agreement with the H. M. Customs and Excise that would allow retirees to purchase items at the base facilities.

In 1983 the RLPP was agreed by all parties. This is a Limited Privilege program that allows retirees to purchase in AAFES and Commissary facilities and to pay a negotiated amount of Duty. As duty varies by product it was agreed that the amount of duty payable would be the equivalent percentage of VAT. (Hence the misnomer of calling the duty to be paid, VAT).

Several restrictions are enforced. No Alcohol Products, No Tobacco Products, No Gasoline (Petrol), No Vehicles.

AAFES has agreed to control the program through the sale of Coupon Books and Purchase Registers that must be signed at the time of purchase.

Participation in this program requires the Retiree (Sponsor) and the Sponsors family members obtaining a 'Retiree Limited Privilege Card', this can be accomplished at any Military Personnel Flight (MPF) in the U. K., you must show evidence of residency in the U. K. such as a utility bill, rent or mortgage receipt, U. K. drivers license, etc. The MPF will initiate the request and direct you to Pass and Registration for issuance of the card.

Prior to making a purchase you must buy 'Retiree Coupons' at any AAFES customer service counter, they are sold in books to the value of $200.00 worth of Duty at a cost of $35.00 plus $1.00 to AAFES to cover their printing costs. You must show the clerk your RLPP and ID card.

When making a purchase you should show your RLPP and ID card, and provide the cashier with retiree coupons equivalent to the price of your purchase, then sign the purchase register. In the commissary the amount of coupons required should be the total prior to the 5% surcharge being added. Coupons are required for any purchase of 50 cents or higher, an item costing $1.49 will require a $1.00 coupon, an Item costing $1.50 will require $2.00 in coupons.

Recently, H. M. Customs and Excise had requested an increase in the amount of duty paid and at one point requested the rescission of the agreement. Thanks to 3rd A.F., neither has happened.