You should always make certain that the typed certification  for  any  special  order  includes  the individual’s  name,  grade  or  rate,  division,  transfer date,  and  enlistment  expiration  date.  If  prepay- ment  was  required,  the  certificate  e  should  also include  the  amount  of  payment  that  was  received. The  list  of  authorized  items  in  NAVSUP  P-487 also  applies  to  U.S.  merchandise  for  special  order. Of course, any items that are not covered in your SSAC   must   be   submitted   to   NAVRESSO   for approval.  In  addition,  you  should  observe  that some  of  the  items  listed  in  the  SSAC  are  for special  order  only.  You  should  not  order  these items  for  stock. On the other hand, there are certain items that your shipboard personnel may need that you can acquire  only  by  special  order.  For  example,  you may  need  to  procure  unusual  sizes  of  standard Navy clothing items. Because these items are not listed  in  the  Afloat   Shopping   Guide   (ASG), you  must  procure  them  by  special  order  only. You should remember that any special order you place for unusual sizes of standard Navy clothing must  be  for  individuals  only  and  not  for  stock. Other  examples  of  merchandise  that  You  must procure on a special order basis only are the gold rating  badges  and  service  stripes  for  chief  petty officers  and  other  enlisted  personnel  below  the  E-7 level  who  are  entitled  to  wear  these  items. FOREIGN   MERCHANDISE FOR STOCK You may stock foreign merchandise for resale during your ship’s deployment overseas, but you will  be  limited  to  merchandise  that  is  locally available  in  the  area  of  your  ship’s  operation. Regulations  that  have  been  established  by  the appropriate commands will also govern your pro- curement of foreign merchandise for stock. Ships can   procure   authorized   foreign   merchandise through  two  programs:  the  Sixth  Fleet  Foreign Merchandise   Program   and   the   Pacific   Fleet Foreign Merchandise Program. Foreign merchan- dise  warehouses  have  been  established  at  Navy exchanges in Rota, Spain, and Naples, Italy, for the  Sixth  Fleet  Foreign  Merchandise  Program  and in Yokosuka, Japan, and Subic Bay, Republic of the   Philippines,   for   the   Pacific   Fleet   Foreign Merchandise  Program.  Both  programs  exist  to support the ships that are deployed in the Mediter- ranean  and  the  Western  Pacific  with  a  range  of fast-selling foreign merchandise items that have been   authorized   for   stock   in   ship’s   stores. However,  there  are  also  certain  items  such  as furs,  autos,  and  wines  that  are  prohibited  for stock or for special order purchases. Items listed in   overseas   contract   bulletins   are   basically authorized  for  stock  unless  these  items  have  been designated  for  special  order  only.  You  should remember that fleet, force, and type commanders may  prescribe  additional  instructions  and/or limitations  that  are  applicable  to  the  ordering  and receiving  of  authorized  stock  in  their  areas  of jurisdiction.  It  is  important  that  you  thoroughly read  and  understand  these  instructions  before  you make  any  attempt  to  procure  foreign  merchandise for  your  ship.  Authorized  items  of  foreign merchandise that you procure in the area of your ship’s  operation  must  be  received,  stocked,  and sold in that area; you cannot handle these items outside  the  designated  area,  Ships  that  are deployed to areas outside of the European or Far Eastern  areas  may  procure  foreign  merchandise that  is  available  locally  in  the  port  of  call. However,   merchandise   that   originates   from sources  within  communist-controlled  areas  can- not  be  procured. Another  consideration  in  the  procurement  of foreign merchandise is that you must be able to dispose of all of it before your ship returns to the United States. Therefore, the handling of foreign merchandise  may  create  difficult  problems  and losses of profit without your proper attention and supervision. To avoid being stuck with an excess of  unsalable  foreign  merchandise  at  the  end  of a tour, you should follow the procurement steps listed  below. Consult and use the NAVRESSO bulletins which contain a listing of the best quality foreign merchandise at the lowest prices and follow the procedures  prescribed  by  fleet,  force,  and  type commanders. Estimate  carefully  the  potential  sales  for the period your ship expects to operate in the area. Base  your  estimation  on  previous  deployments and   from   your   canvassing   of   the   crew.   Re- member, when your ship is operating in the area for a period of more than 90 days, the inventory of foreign merchandise must not exceed your 90 days’  estimated  sales. Obtain  merchandise  early  to  ensure  the greatest length of time for sales. When your ship is to remain in the area for 90 days or less, pro- curement must not exceed the estimated sales for the  remaining  60  days.  You  should  not  procure merchandise that will arrive on board 30 days or 4-2