Esso to stop accepting gas coupons Jan. 1, 2012 Published Dec. 7, 2011 By Staff Sgt. Justin Weaver 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy -- Esso gas stations will no longer accept NATO gas coupons beginning Jan. 1; however, customers may continue to use the coupons at all AGIP and ENI gas stations in Italy. "We do not foresee a negative impact to Aviano members at all by Esso not accepting the NATO fuel coupons," said Tech. Sgt. Xavier Daniel, 31st Security Forces Squadron Pass and Registration NCO in charge. "There are more AGIP stations in the local area than ESSOs, with a 3-1 ratio right outside of the installation." The NATO Status of Forces Agreement allows the sale of fuel coupons to authorized members free of local country taxes on a controlled basis. Gas coupons are used primarily to buy gas on the economy to help defray some of the cost. Gas coupons are not expected to cover leisure activities and vacations. "Coupons can be exchanged only at authorized gas stations in Italy and must be used for the product authorized and cannot be traded or exchanged for other products," said Daniel. "Coupons are intended only for the use of the person to whom the ration card is issued to. Selling, bartering, lending or giving the coupons to anyone is prohibited. Illegal use of coupons is a violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice and Italian Fiscal Law and can result in the revocation of tax-free gas privileges." For more information on the NATO coupons, contact the pass and registration office at DSN 632-4858.