Action Line #140601 - Black marketing ROEs Published June 18, 2014 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey -- Editor's note: The Action Line program allows members of Team Incirlik to voice concerns and receive a response relating to the concern while remaining anonymous. You can submit an action line by emailing it to: incirlik.actionline@us.af.mil. QUESTION: Over the past year, I along with several others have witnessed and reported possible black marketing of a Turkish national dependent, and it appears it continues even today. Three individuals and myself watch this same individual walk up to the customer service counter to check out with not one, two or three sets of on-sale name brand shoes, but more than seven. Is there any way to get a clear rule on the amount of items we are permitted to buy? The point is not to interrogate an individual. I feel bad for the active duty members limited by this and the fact is, the BX already has small assortment for such a large amount of people. To think she took all these shoes when others would like to get the on-sale benefits and can't. On several occasions I have been told different Rules of Engagement: - Yes you can give gifts to TNs as long as they don't sell it or give you money for the items - No you can't give anything to a TN, not even things you were intending to throw away - You can give gifts to TN's for b-days, etc. as long as you don't buy gifts all the time. - TN dependent are not allowed to buy more than two of certain items. ANSWER: Thank you so much for taking the time to make me aware of your concern at the BX. As you already know, black marketing is a potential problem overseas and something we should all understand and know the rules. Both the Turkish and U.S. governments punish people caught black marketing with anything from fines to jail time to being barred from the base. You asked, "what constitutes black marketing?" The best summary I can provide is simple, "Any time you give, sell or transfer any item to a Turkish national (or anyone else not entitled to duty free goods) that was not purchased on the Turkish economy, you are participating in black marketing." "The only exception to this is when providing consumable items such as food and drink when hosting or visiting Turkish friends." If there's something that needs clarification, please contact the legal office for their expertise. You were right to raise this issue to your leadership and report the suspected black marketing. We have relayed this information and are working closely with the BX management. I encourage everyone to be aware and take appropriate actions to prevent it. All base customers are asked to directly alert the Exchange head manager of suspected abuses of policy. Thank you again for your concern and for contacting me. I will ensure this issue is addressed and that we as a Wing renew our efforts to communicate this important message to our community.