I was disappointed to hear the Italian government has now forbidden Americans from the nearby airbase from holding yard sales. These have been going on for decades, with many Italians buying lightly-used items at cheap prices. They're saying the mission pds allows duty free import but does not allow those items to be sold without paying tax. Another tradition falls by the wayside....

Oh I love it - still no replacement for the minister for a bit of fun now and then

I am thinking military personnel do get moved on from time to time so have to get rid of their stuff as oppose to a cynical attempt to shaft the tax man for a few pence.

Oh well over to ebay.

Or hold the same INSIDE and have a sign placed somewhere. Or ignore tha ban, like Italians would do.

No, these are military folks. The base commander has already banned yard sales on advice of the Italian government. If anyone breaks the rule now, they would be in trouble with the military. That would not be a good decision just to recoup a a few bucks.

We (supposedly, because I have not yet found it) have a resale shop which is used by both Italians and lots of expats.

Yes, the "stuff" that military people bring in to this country is the "stuff" that they must leave with...unless they throw it away or sell it to another military person. Sounds absurd, but military personnel are guests of the country and bring their belongings in duty free. I do believe you told me this, Bill, and also if military members retire here, they are not allowed to keep the things that they came here with? What about all the Italian civilians who shop at the base exchanges...they are allowed to buy American products imported duty free as long as the items are new?

Unless they are dependents of Americans they cannot buy at the exchange (DOD ID required at checkout).