The White Falcon - 06.12.2002, Blaðsíða 11

Icelandic police, base crackdown on contraband
An Icelandic Policeman inspects a car for custom violations. Recently,
many vehicles have been found with contraband items purchased on base.
(Photo by J02 Travis Eisele)
By MAI Jerry Shenefield
In recent weeks, the
Provost Marshal’s Office
has noted a significant
increase in the number of
customs violations occur-
ring on base.
Facts proved that the
incidents were either
caused by a lack of
knowledge or unlawful
action on the part of the
individuals involved.
Upon arrival to Iceland,
all Defense Force mem-
bers that attend Base
Indoctrination receive
customs awareness train-
ing. The awareness train-
ing is tailored to prevent
inadvertently committing
a customs violation.
Customs laws are
designed to protect a
country’s economy and
environment from out-
side importation of goods
that compete with the
country’s goods. These
laws restrict the importa-
tion of goods to a coun-
try. Also, the laws pre-
vent imported goods
from undermining
nationally produced
goods by imposing taxes
and tariffs on imported
goods.
Iceland allows all
goods purchased on
Naval Air Station
Keflavik to be free of
import taxes and tariffs.
Iceland Defense Force
instructions outline
guidelines that all per-
sons assigned to the
installation must obey.
Guidelines include who
can and cannot remove
items from the base; what
items can and cannot be
removed; and how to
properly declare items
being removed.
Icelandic customs laws
only allow military per-
sonnel and their depen-
dants assigned to Naval
Air Station Keflavik,
either permanent party or
temporary duty, to have
certain take off privileges
for items purchased on
the Agreed Area.
Specific guidelines are
also in place for civilian
personnel employed or
contracted to perform
official duties on the
installation. These guide-
lines outline strict policy
and compliance for pur-
chasing and removing
items off the installation,
free from Icelandic taxes.
Active duty or retired
military personnel or mil-
itary dependants not
affiliated with NAS
Keflavik who reside in
Iceland or are in a leave
status may purchase
items on the installation.
Unfortunately, these
items CANNOT be
removed from the Agreed
Area. Removal of these
items by non-Defense
Force members consti-
tutes a violation of
Icelandic customs laws.
Anyone living off the
installation and wanting
to remove goods pur-
chased on base, must
have take-off privileges
authorized and coordinat-
ed by the Provost
Marshal’s Office
A violation of the
Icelandic Customs Laws
will likely result in forfei-
ture of the item in ques-
tion; a substantial fine; a
possible permanent crim-
inal record in Iceland;
and military members are
subject to punishment
under the Uniform Code
of Military Justice.
Also, sponsors are
responsible for the con-
duct of their family mem-
bers and must ensure that
they are aware of these
policies.
Any individual that
desires a refresher on the
customs awareness train-
ing may attend Base
Indoctrination conducted
most Wednesdays, at
approximately 3:30 p.m.,
at the Chapel of Light.
Also, Departments or
Squadrons desiring a
group training session
can contact the Provost
Marshal’s Office at
Extension 2057 or 7820
for arrangement.
Individual questions may
also be answered by call-
ing the Provost Marshal’s
Office.
One thing to keep in
mind, if you’re departing
base, you must think
twice about what you
have in the car with you
and know whether or not
you are authorized to
remove it from the instal-
lation. If in doubt, call the
Provost Marshal’s Office
or stop at the gate and
inquire with the Icelandic
Customs Officer on duty.
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December 6, 2002
The White Falcon
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