The Protectorate rationing system was similar to the one used in Germany. It was a typical middle European differential rationing system, based on ration cards. No ration stamps or ration book were used (nevertheless the clothing cards were similar to ration books). There was no central rationing office, ration cards were issued by different ministries. The first ration cards were issued in September 1939 for soap and petrol. Food was rationed since October 2, 1939. The Protectorate ration system finished at the end of WWII but it continued in the rationing system of the restored Czechoslovak Republic till the end of May 1953.