E

4 ALBERT EMBANKMENT
LONDON SE1 7SR
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7735 7611 Fax: +44 (0)20 7587 3210

FAL.3/Circ.215
12 April 2019

EXPLANATORY MANUAL TO THE CONVENTION ON FACILITATION OF

INTERNATIONAL MARITIME TRAFFIC, 1965, AS AMENDED

1 The Facilitation Committee, at its forty-third session (8 to 12 April 2019), finalized and
approved the annexed Explanatory Manual to the Convention on Facilitation of International
Maritime Traffic, 1965, as amended (FAL Convention).

2 The Committee recognized that the development of an Explanatory Manual should

help in interpreting the legal text of the provisions of the Convention, which can be complex
and at times difficult to understand. The Committee was of the view that the Manual would
provide for a greater understanding of the Convention, particularly in those Member States
which are not presently Contracting Governments to the Convention.

3 The Committee once again urged those Member States which had not yet acceded
to the FAL Convention to consider doing so as soon as possible, in order to assist the
Organization's efforts to promote wider acceptance of the Convention and adoption of
measures contained therein and work towards the universal implementation of measures to
facilitate international maritime traffic.

4 Member Governments are invited to bring this Manual to the attention of all parties
concerned, including public authorities, ship's masters, agents and operators.

5 This circular revokes FAL.3/Circ.202.

***

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EXPLANATORY MANUAL TO THE CONVENTION ON FACILITATION

OF INTERNATIONAL MARITIME TRAFFIC 1965, AS AMENDED

(INCORPORATING AMENDMENTS TO THE FAL CONVENTION

UP TO AND INCLUDING 2018)

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Introduction 3
Text from annex to the FAL Convention, with explanatory notes 3
Section 1 4
Definitions and general provisions 4
A. Definitions 4
B. General provisions 7
C. Systems for the electronic exchange of information 8
E. Control techniques 14
Section 2 16
Arrival, stay and departure of the ship 16
A. General 16
B. Contents and purpose of documents 20
C. Documents on arrival 33
D. Documents on departure 33
E. Consecutive calls at two or more ports in the same State 35
F. Completion of documents 35
G. Errors and amendments in documentation and penalties therefor 37
H. Special measures of facilitation for ships calling at ports in order to put
ashore sick or injured crew members, passengers, persons rescued at sea
or other persons for emergency medical treatment 38
Section 3 40
Arrival and departure of persons 40
A. Arrival and departure requirements and procedures 40
B. Measures to facilitate clearance of passengers, crew and baggage 46
D. Facilitation for ships engaged on cruises and for cruise passengers 49
E. Special measures of facilitation for passengers in transit 51
F. Measures of facilitation for ships engaged in scientific services 52
G. Further measures of facilitation for foreigners belonging to the crews of
ships engaged in international voyages – shore leave 52

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Section 4 53
Stowaways 53
A. General principles 53
B. Preventive measures 54
C. Treatment of the stowaway while on board 57
D. Deviation from the planned route 59
E. Disembarkation and return of a stowaway 60
Section 5 66
ARRIVAL, STAY AND DEPARTURE OF CARGO AND OTHER ARTICLES 66
A. GENERAL 66
B. Clearance of cargo 69
C. Freight containers and pallets 73
D. Cargo not discharged at the port of intended destination 74
E. Limitation of shipowner's responsibilities 75
Section 6 76
Public health and quarantine, including sanitary measures for animals and plants 76
B. Services at ports 79
C. Emergency assistance 80
D. National facilitation committees 80

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Introduction

This manual contains guidance and interpretations of the provisions of the annex to the
Convention on Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic, 1965, as amended, including the
amendments to the Convention adopted on 8 April 2016, which came into force on
1 January 2018, as well as practical methods of application and examples of best practices.

Public authorities may apply the methods of application or best practices that are most suitable
for their circumstances. If an application is more liberal than required by a particular Standard
or Recommended Practice, such an application may be regarded as granting a wider facility
in accordance with article V of the Convention.

Contracting Governments to the FAL Convention are obliged to bring the Standards and
Recommended Practices of this Convention into force nationally, unless they have lodged a
reservation with the Secretary-General in accordance with article VIII. Their national legislation
must include the implementation of these Standards and Recommended Practices together
with specific regulations for their application.

Taking into account the character of the annex to the Convention, which is addressed to public
authorities in general, national legislation will not necessarily be limited to only one category
of legislation. It may be included in the legislation of various public authorities, such as port,
immigration and customs authorities. National legislation is not limited to laws in a formal
sense, but may include other instruments such as official notifications, charters or ministerial
degrees, according to the administrative system of each Contracting Government.

Explanatory guidance is provided (text in italics) for most substantive provisions of the
Convention, which are, solely for the purposes of this manual, indicated in bold text. Definitions
within the Convention are not provided with guidance, based on the understanding that such
a definition should be clear as read.

This manual does not form a part of the authentic text of the annex to the FAL Convention and
entails no legal obligation towards Contracting Governments. While, for ease of reference, the
manual reproduces text from the Convention, the provisions of the authentic text of the
Convention must be consulted and take precedence over any part of this Explanatory Manual.

Text from annex to the FAL Convention, with explanatory notes

For ease of reference, the following pages contain text reproduced from the annex to
the Convention on Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic, 1965, as amended,
including the amendments to the Convention adopted on 8 April 2016, which came
into force on 1 January 2018. This text, solely for the purposes of this manual, is
indicated in bold text. It is supplemented by explanatory text, with practical methods
of application and examples of best practices. This explanatory text is written in italics
for ease of identification.

This manual does not form a part of the authentic text of the annex to the FAL
Convention and entails no legal obligation towards Contracting Governments. The
provisions of the authentic text of the Convention must be consulted and take
precedence over any part of this Explanatory Manual.

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Section 1
Definitions and general provisions

A. Definitions

For the purpose of the provisions of this annex, the following meanings shall be
attributed to the terms listed:

Attempted stowaway. A person who is secreted on a ship, or in cargo which is

subsequently loaded on the ship, without the consent of the shipowner or the master
or any other responsible person, and who is detected on board the ship before it has
departed from the port.

Cargo. Any goods, wares, merchandise, and articles of every kind whatsoever carried
on a ship, other than mail, ship's stores, ship's spare parts, ship's equipment, cargo
transport units not carried under a contract of carriage with a shipper crew's effects and
passengers' accompanied baggage.

Cargo transport unit (CTU). A freight container, swap-body, vehicle, railway wagon or
any other similar unit.

Clearance. Accomplishment of customs and/or other formalities necessary to:

(a) permit goods to enter home use, to be exported or to be placed under

another customs procedure (so called customs clearance);

(b) permit persons to enter the territory of a State; or

(c) permit a ship to enter or depart a port within the territory of a State.

Crew's effects. Clothing, items in everyday use and other articles, which may include
currency, belonging to the crew and carried on the ship.

Crew member. Any person actually employed for duties on board during a voyage in
the working or service of a ship and included in the crew list.

Cruise ship. A ship on an international voyage carrying passengers participating in a

group programme and accommodated aboard, for the purpose of making scheduled
temporary tourist visits at one or more different ports, and which during the voyage
does not normally:

(a) embark or disembark any other passengers;

(b) load or discharge any cargo.

Document. Information presenting data by electronic means or by non-electronic

means.

Estimated time of arrival (ETA). Time when a ship estimates it will arrive at the pilot
station serving a port or when it expects to enter a specific location in the port area
where port regulations apply.

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Freight container. An article of transport equipment that is of a permanent character and

accordingly strong enough to be suitable for repeated use; specially designed to
facilitate the transport of goods, by one or other modes of transport, without
intermediate reloading: designed to be secured and/or readily handled, having fittings
for these purposes, and approved in accordance with the International Convention for
Safe Containers (CSC), 1972, as amended. The term "freight container" includes neither
vehicle nor packaging; however a freight container that is carried on a chassis is
included.

ISPS Code. The "International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code" adopted
on 12 December 2002 by resolution 2 of the Conference of Contracting Governments to
the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 (SOLAS), as may be
amended by the Organization.

Manifest. Document recapitulating the various data from bills of lading and other
transport documents issued for the carriage of goods on board ships.

Master. The person having command of a ship.

Passenger in transit. A passenger who arrives by ship from a foreign country for the
purpose of continuing his/her journey by ship or some other means of transport to a
foreign country.

Passengers' accompanied baggage. Property, which may include currency, carried for
a passenger on the same ship as the passenger, whether in his/her personal possession
or not, so long as it is not carried under a contract of carriage of goods or other similar
agreement.

Port. Any port, terminal, offshore terminal, ship and repair yard or roadstead which is
normally used for the loading, unloading, repair and anchoring of ships, or any other
place at which a ship can call.
Postal items. Correspondence and other objects tendered to be carried by a ship for
carriage by postal administrations and intended for delivery to postal administrations
in the ship's ports of call.

Public authorities. The agencies or officials in a State responsible for the application
and enforcement of the laws and regulations of that State which relate to any aspect of
the Standards and Recommended Practices contained in this annex.
Release. Action taken by customs authorities to permit goods undergoing clearance to
be placed at the disposal of the persons concerned.
Security measures. Measures developed and implemented in accordance with
international agreements to improve security on board ships, in port areas, facilities
and of goods moving in the international supply chain to detect and prevent unlawful
acts.1
Ship agent. The party representing the ship's owner and/or charterer (the Principal) in
port. If so instructed, the agent is responsible to the Principal for arranging, together
with the port, a berth, all relevant port and husbandry services, tending to the
requirements of the master and crew, clearing the ship with the port and other
authorities (including preparation and submission of appropriate documentation) along
with releasing or receiving cargo on behalf of the Principal.

1 Reference is made to the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Maritime
Navigation, 1988 (SUA Convention), the International Ship & Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code) and
the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 (SOLAS), chapter XI-2.

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Shipowner. One who owns or operates a ship, whether a person, a corporation or other
legal entity, and any person other than the ship agent acting on behalf of the owner or
operator.

Ship's documents. Certificates and other documents which must be made available by
a ship's master in order to demonstrate the ship's compliance with international or
national regulations.

Ship's equipment. Articles, other than ship's spare parts, on board a ship for use
thereon, which are removable but not of a consumable nature, including accessories
such as lifeboats, life-saving devices, furniture, ship's apparel and similar items.

Ship's spare parts. Articles of a repair or replacement nature for incorporation into the
ship in which they are carried.

Ship's stores. Goods for use in the ship, including consumable goods, goods carried
for sale to passengers and crew members, fuel and lubricants, but excluding ship's
equipment and ship's spare parts.

Shipper. The party named on the bill of lading or waybill as shipper and/or who
concludes a contract of carriage (or in whose name or on whose behalf a contract of
carriage has been concluded) with a carrier. The shipper is known also as the sender.

Shore leave. Permission for a crew member to be ashore during the ship's stay in port
within such geographical or time limits, if any, as may be decided by the public
authorities.

Single window. A facility that allows submission of standardized information covered

by the Convention to a single entry point.

Stowaway. A person who is secreted on a ship, or in cargo which is subsequently

loaded on the ship, without the consent of the shipowner or the master or any other
responsible person and who is detected on board the ship after it has departed from a
port, or in the cargo while unloading it in the port of arrival, and is reported as a
stowaway by the master to the appropriate authorities.

Temporary admission. The customs procedure under which certain goods can be
brought into a customs territory conditionally relieved, totally or partially, from payment
of import duties and taxes and without application of import prohibitions or restrictions
of economic character; such goods must be imported for a specific purpose and must
be intended for re-exportation within a specified period and without having undergone
any change except normal depreciation due to the use made of them.

Time of arrival. Time when a ship first comes to rest, whether at anchor or at a dock, in
a port.

Transport document. Information evidencing a contract of carriage between a

shipowner and a shipper, such as a sea waybill, a bill of lading or a multi-modal
transport document.

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B. General provisions

In conjunction with paragraph 2 of article V of the Convention, the provisions of this

annex shall not preclude public authorities from taking such appropriate measures,
including calling for further information, as may be necessary in cases of suspected
fraud, or to deal with special problems constituting a grave danger to public order
(ordre public), public security or public health, such as unlawful acts against the safety
of maritime traffic and illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances,
or to prevent the introduction or spread of disease or pests affecting animals or plants.

1.1 Standard. Public authorities shall in all cases require only essential information
to be furnished, and shall keep the number of items to a minimum.

It was the "red tape" of excessive documentary and other requirements that made the
establishment of the FAL Convention essential. In view of the recent demand for more
detailed information, particularly related to maritime security, the considerations which
have led to the development of the FAL Convention remain important for the
facilitation of maritime traffic, and will contribute to economic development and to
efficient operations of public authorities.

1.1.1 Not in use.

1.2 Recommended Practice. Notwithstanding the fact that documents for certain
purposes may be separately prescribed and required in this annex, public authorities,
bearing in mind the interests of those who are required to complete the documents as
well as the purposes for which they are to be used, should provide for any two or more
such documents that are to be submitted by the same party to be combined into one in
any case in which this is practicable and in which an appreciable degree of facilitation
would result.

The principle of this Recommended Practice is to avoid the duplication of

requirements where possible.

Public authorities should allow for the lodgement of the same set of information in one
single transmission to the relevant authorities. Mutual agreement between the public
authorities involved is necessary to provide trade with transparent procedures.
Information technology makes it possible for such information to be sent to one single
entry point and distributed among the relevant public authorities. For this "single
window" principle, reference is made to Recommended Practices 1.3bis and 1.3quin.

To reduce and simplify the administrative burdens, the avoidance of duplication

should not be limited to only include data mentioned in the basic documents of the
FAL Convention on the arrival, stay and departure of the ship, but should also include
data that might derive from other demands (customs, World Trade Organization Trade
Facilitation Agreement, local authorities, phytosanitary measures, etc.).

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1.3 Recommended Practice. Measures and procedures imposed by Contracting

Governments for the purposes of security or preventing the trafficking of narcotics
should be efficient. Such measures and procedures (e.g. risk management and
cross-checking of information) should be implemented in such a manner as to cause a
minimum of interference with, and to prevent unnecessary delays to, ships and persons
or property on board.

Security of society and the illicit traffic of narcotic and other undesirable substances
are subjects of constant concern for Governments. This Recommended Practice
encourages Contracting Governments that implement measures to reduce those risks
to also take into consideration that such measures should at the same time reduce
the additional burden to trade as much as possible and avoid delays in the logistical
chain. For customs purposes, reference is made to the SAFE Framework of
Standards to Secure and Facilitate Global Trade by the World Customs Organization
(WCO). This Framework provides for international standards to secure the global
supply chain while at the same time facilitating the international movement of goods.

The SAFE Framework of Standards could also be used in cooperation with other
public authorities to avoid the use of different standards by those authorities, which
could hamper the rapid movement of goods.

C. Systems for the electronic exchange of information

1.3bis Standard. Public authorities shall take all necessary measures for the
establishment of systems for the electronic exchange of information by 8 April 2019.

The establishment of systems for the electronic exchange of information can simplify
and facilitate to a considerable extent the process of providing and sharing the
necessary information to fulfil regulatory requirements for both authorities and the
shipping industry. The use of such systems can result in improved efficiency and
effectiveness of official controls and can reduce costs for both authorities and industry
due to better use and reuse of resources.

The information should be submitted only once, thus removing the need for submitting
the same or similar information separately to different authorities.

In establishing systems for the electronic exchange of information, stakeholders

should take the necessary steps to safeguard shipping from current and emerging
threats and vulnerabilities related to digitization, integration and automation of
processes and systems in shipping. MSC-FAL.1/Circ.3 Guidelines on maritime cyber
risk management provide high-level recommendations for maritime cyber risk
management, which is defined as "the process of identifying, analysing, assessing,
and communicating a cyber-related risk and accepting, avoiding, transferring, or
mitigating it to an acceptable level, considering costs and benefits of actions taken to
stakeholders". Maritime cyber risk is likewise defined as "a measure of the extent to
which a technology asset is threatened by a potential circumstance or event, which
may result in shipping-related operational, safety or security failures as a
consequence of information or systems being corrupted, lost or compromised".

For details and guidance related to the development and implementation of specific
risk management processes, users of these Guidelines should refer to any applicable
specific regulatory requirements as well as relevant international and industry
standards and best practices.

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1.3ter Standard. Public authorities, when introducing systems for the electronic
exchange of information to assist clearance processes, shall provide shipowners and
other parties concerned with the necessary information about the systems
requirements and give an adequate period of transition before the use of the systems
are made mandatory. A period of no less than 12 months for transition to the mandatory
use of the systems shall be provided from the date of the introduction of such systems.

Twelve months is generally accepted as a minimum appropriate time frame for

regulated parties to develop, test and implement IT systems for use in submitting
required information. This time frame starts when all the functional and technical
specifications and supporting material (e.g. message implementing guidance and test
scenarios) have been developed, tested internally by the public authorities, and then
made available to the regulated parties.

Public authorities should be aware that this is a minimum time frame and a longer
time frame may be appropriate for more challenging systems involving many filers
and (sub-) processes and complex supply chains as often found in maritime transport.

1.3quart Recommended Practice. Public authorities should, for a transitional period,

allow for the submission of required information for clearance processes in both
electronic and paper form.

1.3quin Recommended Practice. Contracting Governments should encourage public

authorities to introduce arrangements to enable the submission of all the information
required by public authorities in connection with the arrival, stay and departure of ships,
persons and cargo, avoiding duplication, to a "single window".

Consideration should also be given to such a single window serving as the mechanism
through which the public authorities communicate decisions and other information
covered by this Convention.
It is important that public authorities make the maximum effort to combine, harmonize
and minimize the information required from shipowners and other parties. The
obligation on trade to provide various public authorities with information on ships,
cargo and passengers at varying stages of movement may present obstacles to
business efficiency. Although this information may be required for different purposes,
many data elements required by public authorities, including identification of the ship,
date and time of arrival, port of departure and cargo information, are identical. If such
common and harmonized data elements can be combined into a single message
according to commonly agreed standards and format and sent electronically to a
single official destination, instead of being sent to individual public authorities
separately, costs can be reduced and clearance processes facilitated.
This concept, often referred to as a "single window", can expedite and improve the
flow of information between public authorities and trade.
Single window is defined in the annex to the FAL Convention as "A facility that allows
submission of standardized information covered by the Convention to a single entry
point."
The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Guidelines on single
window refer to a single window as "a facility that allows parties involved in trade and
transport to lodge standardized information and documents with a single entry point
to fulfil all import, export and transit-related regulatory requirements. If information is
electronic, then individual data elements should only be submitted once."2

2 UNECE Recommendation 33, ECE/TRADE/352, 2004:

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The key principle is that the single public or official agency nominated to receive the
overall information would redistribute data, as appropriate, to other relevant public
authorities, based on data harmonization and standardization. UNECE and its
facilitating body the United Nations Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic
Business (UN/CEFACT) have published a number of recommendations on the single
window concept. UNECE Recommendation 33 covers the establishment of a single
window with accompanying guidelines. Recommendation 343 and its guidelines
covers the data harmonization aspects of the single window concept to enable the
development of single window systems and the exchange of information in the single
window environment.

The IMO FAL Committee has produced a document more specific to the maritime
sector: IMO FAL.5/Circ.36 on Guidelines for setting up a single window system in
maritime transport. Member States should refer to those guidelines when they intend
to establish such a system in their countries.

Further facilitation could be achieved by arrangements and coordination between

public authorities, for example when any necessary physical checks are planned, so
that, wherever possible, these checks take place at the same place and time although
they are executed by different public authorities. These arrangements can be
embodied in and based on suitable memoranda of understanding.

1.4 Not in use.

1.5 Not in use.

1.6 Standard. Public authorities, when introducing systems for the electronic
exchange of information for clearance processes, shall limit the information they
require from shipowners and other parties concerned to that required by the
FAL Convention.

When public authorities introduce systems for the electronic exchange of information,
they must take steps to limit the required information to what is stated in the FAL
Convention.

However, it is recognized that sometimes additional information may be required.

Such additional information should be limited to what is necessary for the operation
of the ship or for processing the information and sharing it between the public
authorities concerned, such as registration information, electronic signature, place of
lodgement of the information/declaration, among others.

For customs purposes, the WCO SAFE Framework of Standards to Secure and
Facilitate Global Trade contains a maximum list of data elements for advance risk
assessments that may guide those public authorities concerned.

In the event that additional information is required besides that required by the FAL
Convention, public authorities should take note of the requirement to notify the IMO
Secretary-General under article VIII of the FAL Convention.

http://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/cefact/recommendations/rec33/rec33_trd352e.pdf
3 UNECE recommendation N°. 33 – Single Window Recommendation, UNECE Recommendation 34 – Data
Simplification and Standardization for International Trade. Among relevant recommendations, the UNECE
also published recommendation N°. 35 – Establishing a legal framework for international trade Single
Window, and recommendation N°. 36 – Single Window Interoperability:
https://www.unece.org/tradewelcome/un-centre-for-trade-facilitation-and-e-business
uncefact/outputs/cefactrecommendationsrec-index/list-of-trade-facilitation-recommendations-n-31-to-36.html

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1.6bis Standard. When introducing systems for the electronic exchange of information
required by public authorities for the arrival, stay and departure of the ship, persons
and cargo to facilitate clearance processes, Contracting Governments shall encourage
public authorities and other parties concerned (shipowners, handling companies,
seaports, and/or cargo agents, etc.) to exchange data in conformity with the relevant
UN Standards, including UN Electronic Data Interchange for Administration, Commerce
and Transport (UN/EDIFACT) Standards, or other internationally agreed Standards,
such as the XML Standard.

The benefit that public authorities and trade may derive from electronic transmission
and exchange of information, discussed in the comment under Standard 1.3bis, can
only be achieved when electronic transmissions are based on the use of
internationally recognized standards. Furthermore, single windows would not be able
to function properly without agreed and harmonized formats and data sets between
the public authorities concerned. Neither would the "reporting once" principle be
attainable by shipowners and other parties without such harmonization.

The UN/EDIFACT standard is an internationally recognized standard elaborated in

the framework of the United Nations Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic
Business (UN/CEFACT). EDIFACT means "Electronic Data Interchange for
Administration, Commerce and Transport". The EDIFACT standard provides syntax
rules to structure data, an exchange protocol and standard messages.

As part of UN/EDIFACT, the UN Trade Data Elements Directory (UNTDED) provides

standard data elements to facilitate the interchange of data in international trade.
Another constituent, the UN/CEFACT Core Component Library (CCL), provides a
maximum harmonized set of data and standard electronic messages. CCL is an
international semantic library describing the structure of information objects used in
international trade in a syntax neutral manner.

The UN EDIFACT standard, including UNTDED and CCL, is available free of charge
for all regulatory and business processes involved in international cross-border trade.

The United Nations Standard Messages (UNSM) are EDIFACT message type. Some
of them are used to transmit electronically the data covered by the FAL Convention.
For example, messages sending manifest information are usually based on the
UN/EDIFACT "CUSCAR" customs cargo report message.

Another internationally agreed standard is the WCO Data Model. It provides a

maximum framework of standardized and harmonized sets of data and standard
electronic messages, to be submitted by trade for customs and other regulatory
purposes to accomplish formalities for the arrival, departure, transit and clearance of
goods in international cross-border trade.

ISO/PAS 28005 similarly describes XML standards for message transmission and
message structures allowing the submission of electronic data that comply with
regulatory requirements in the context of a port call.

The IMO Compendium on Facilitation and Electronic Business (Compendium)4 is the

Organization's primary reference for creating the systems and processes needed to
support transmission, receipt and response of information required for the arrival, stay
and departure of the ship, persons and cargo through ports by using electronic data
interchange (EDI) messaging based on the format referred to in 1.6bis. The
Compendium standardizes the terms used to report information required by the

4 FAL.5/Circ.40, Revised IMO Compendium on facilitation and electronic business.

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Convention and other IMO instruments; it models the hierarchies and relationships
among the data elements. The Compendium contains cross references among data
models maintained by numerous organizations for many EDI messages and other
types of trade processes. Through the Compendium, the Organization promotes
harmonization among the data models to optimize the ship-port interface, ship
reporting, electronic navigation and other trade practices that help minimize the
burdens on crews and Administrations. Optimized processes, in turn, lead to greater
interoperability among maritime single windows and informed decision-making
throughout the maritime community.

1.6ter Recommended Practice. When introducing new electronic message formats,

public authorities should continue to allow for the usage of existing electronic message
formats in agreement with the parties concerned.

When new or updated electronic message formats are being introduced, public
authorities should give careful consideration to the implementation time. Special
consideration should be given to allowing existing formats to be used in parallel with
the new ones in order to allow the reporting parties to change their systems and
procedures in due course.

There is no exact time limit for how long the old message formats should be accepted;
this may vary depending on different factors such as other implementation
requirements and the extent of the change, but it should be recognized that system
changes may need a considerable time to implement.

1.7 Recommended Practice. When planning for, introducing or modifying systems

for the electronic exchange of information for clearance processes, public authorities
should:

(a) afford all interested parties, from the outset, the opportunity for
consultation;

(b) evaluate existing procedures and eliminate those which are

unnecessary;

(c) determine those procedures which are to be computerized;

(d) use United Nations (UN) Recommendations WCO Information Packages

and relevant ISO Standards to the maximum extent practicable;

(e) adapt these systems for multimodal applications;

(f) take appropriate steps to minimize the cost of implementing these

systems to operators and other private parties; and

(g) give attention to the desirability of obtaining compatibility with other

relevant information systems.

The efficient and widespread use of information technology requires

extensive communication between public authorities and industry.
Investments in information technology are long-term, expensive and
time-consuming. This communication can be achieved by using existing
consultative instruments, such as national maritime transport facilitation
committees as provided for in Recommended Practice 7.12, or specific
consultative structures for the development and implementation of

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information technology. Where no systems for electronic exchange of

information are available, it is important that both public authorities and
industry communicate their intentions and objectives to avoid future
non-interoperability. Where possible, existing systems for the exchange of
information should be used (fully or partially) and further developed in order
to reduce costs. The consultation should lead to the implementation of
automated systems that are interoperable. Public authorities should
periodically evaluate their existing procedures to ascertain whether they are
appropriate and useful. With regard to procedures that are still necessary but
of limited applicability, consideration should be given, based on a
cost-benefit analysis, to not transferring those procedures into an electronic
environment.

Sometimes when procedures are automated it is possible to include another

procedure without any additional burden. For example, statistical information
can automatically be derived from the basic information and sent to the
statistical authorities. Careful consideration should be given to whether to
include additional information for statistical purposes other than what is
included in the basic information and what is required under the FAL
Convention. Similar consideration could be given to other procedures and
formalities, including the procedures of other public authorities.

An important condition for interoperability between automated systems is the

standardization and harmonization of the information. Public authorities
should use internationally recognized standards presented in the explanatory
text related to Standard 1.6bis. They should refer to the IMO Compendium
on Facilitation and Electronic Business, which sets out how to use the various
internationally recognized standards for the transmission of the data covered
by the FAL Convention.

1.7.1 Recommended Practice. Contracting Governments should encourage public

authorities and other parties concerned to cooperate or participate directly in the
development of electronic systems using internationally agreed standards with a view
to enhancing the exchange of information relating to the arrival, stay and departure of
ships, persons and cargo and assuring interoperability between the systems of public
authorities and other parties concerned.

Today's system implementations and business realities are very complex and need
full attention from the parties concerned in order to include all possible issues that
need to be considered and implemented – especially when a single window is being
developed. Therefore, when such electronic systems are being developed, it is
essential that there is continuous dialogue, cooperation and active participation
amongst public authorities, industry and other parties involved for a successful result.
As an example, such cooperation could be in the form of a specific project or a
subgroup to the national maritime transport facilitation committee recommended in
Recommended Practice 7.12 of the FAL Convention.

Consideration should be given to simplifying and harmonizing the exchange of

information, the interoperability of the systems involved, and the use of internationally
agreed standards.

1.8 Not in use.

1.8.1 Not in use.

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D. Illicit drug trafficking

1.9 Recommended Practice. Public authorities should seek to establish

cooperation arrangements with shipowners and other parties concerned to improve
their ability to combat drug smuggling, while providing enhanced facilitation. Such
arrangements could be based on the World Customs Organization Memoranda of
Understanding and the associated guidelines.

In their effort to combat illicit drug trafficking, public authorities can benefit from
information that is already available in the records of the shipping company.
For shipowners it is also important that they are not involved in illegal practices.
Sharing relevant information with public authorities, on the basis of MoUs, can
safeguard shipowners against liability for these practices to a certain extent.

IMO has produced resolution FAL.9(34) on Revised guidelines for the prevention and
suppression of the smuggling of drugs, psychotropic substances and precursor
chemicals on ships engaged in international maritime traffic. The objective of these
guidelines is, inter alia, to manage the risks to which a ship operating in international
maritime traffic is exposed when involved in situations arising from illicit drugs
trafficking that might disrupt the overall safety and security of such maritime traffic.

1.10 Standard. Where, as part of cooperation arrangements, public authorities,

shipowners, and other parties concerned are provided access to sensitive commercial
and other information, the information shall be treated confidentially.

Confidentiality is an important condition for the industry to be able to share

information. Sharing sensitive or commercial information with public authorities, not
only in order to target illicit drug trafficking but also to address other threats such as
security, requires that information be treated confidentially. Many countries have
already implemented national provisions that ensure the confidential treatment of
information.

E. Control techniques

1.11 Standard. Public authorities shall use risk management to enhance their border
control procedures related to:

• the release/clearance of cargo;

• security requirements; and

• their ability to target smuggling,

thereby facilitating the legitimate circulation of persons and goods.

In practice, public authorities are not able to physically inspect every shipment
entering or leaving the customs territory. Risk management is an important technique
to help public authorities to realize more effective controls, set the necessary priorities
and allocate the resources available more efficiently, thereby minimizing the
occurrence of risks, maintaining a proper balance between controls and facilitating
legitimate trade in the international movement of cargo.

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The benefits of risk management for the public authorities are:

• accurate selection of high-risk transactions;

• efficient allocation of resources to high-risk areas;
• elimination of time and resource wastage;
• ability to fast-track international trade transactions, thereby
contributing to the national economy; and
• greater openness and transparency in decision-making and ongoing
management processes thereby meeting accountability requirements.
Also, the industry can gain benefits from the use of risk management:
• faster clearance through better targeting of high-risk cargo;
• facilitation of the vast majority of low-risk transactions; and
• reduced delays for industry, cutting the cost of doing business.

Risk management is defined as a control methodology for identifying, analysing and

managing risks associated with any activity, function or process. Risk is the key
element and plays a central role in the risk-management process. To handle the large
amount of information it is necessary for public authorities to focus their efforts on
high risks. Concerning the flow of information, it is also important to clarify what data
is needed and why international instruments should indicate a maximum set of data,
their collection and use. This will avoid an inefficient demand for data and will facilitate
trade. Risk management must not be seen as a static process but as an interactive
process in which information related to cargo and its movement is continuously
updated, analysed, acted upon and reviewed. The risk-management process consists
therefore of the following elements:
• determining the strategic and organizational context in which risk management
will be applied by, among others, immigration and customs;
• identifying, analysing and prioritizing risks;
• assessing risks by taking appropriate and proportionate measures to cover the
identified high risks; and
• monitoring and reviewing the process on a regular basis.
In the second element of the risk management process – risk analysis – the
systematic use of available information to determine how often defined risks may
occur and the magnitude of their likely consequences is important. Risk analysis will
identify risks, resulting in risk profiles that will be the basis for the next step in the
process, which is taking the appropriate measure to cover the risk(s). Examples of
risk areas can be found in the information on the nature of the cargo, the country of
origin or departure, prohibitions and restrictions relating to cargo and the chosen route
of transport. Risk areas can be specific destinations, specific countries of origin,
sensitive goods such as nuclear material, drugs, among others. Other factors relating
to protection of the national economy, health, security and environment must also be
taken into account. All these factors, taken together, increase or reduce the level of
risk. Risk profiles will identify known risk areas, actual incidents and the corresponding
(high) risk indicators. Risk profiles also establish an action plan of checks for carrying
out the appropriate controls and allocating the available resources. Computerized
applications and IT support are indispensable for the effective performance of this
process.

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Section 2
Arrival, stay and departure of the ship

This section contains the provisions concerning the formalities required of shipowners
by the public authorities on the arrival, stay and departure of the ship and shall not be
read so as to preclude a requirement for the presentation for inspection by the
appropriate authorities of certificates and other documents made available by the ship
pertaining to its registry, measurement, safety, manning and other related matters. 3

A. General

2.1 Standard. Public authorities shall not require for their retention, on arrival or
departure of ships to which the Convention applies, any documents other than those
covered by the present section.

The documents in question are:

• General Declaration

• Cargo Declaration

• Ship's Stores Declaration

• Crew's Effects Declaration

• Crew List

• Passenger List

• Dangerous Goods Manifest

• The document required under the Universal Postal Convention for mail

• Maritime Declaration of Health

• Security-related information as required under SOLAS regulation XI-2/9.2.2

• Advance electronic cargo information for customs risk assessment

purposes

• Advanced notification form for waste delivery to port reception facilities,

when communicated to the Organization

In the past, public authorities required a large number of different documents,

developed for their specific national needs. The maritime industry had to provide
different documents at each port, which impeded efficient trade to a great extent. With
the establishment of the FAL Convention, some of the red tape has been removed,
and this Standard reduces and harmonizes the great variety of documents to only 11
documents for all formalities on arrival and departure of a ship with a standardized set
of data requirements.

3 FAL.2/Circ.131 and /rev.1-MEPC/Circ.873 & /rev.1-MSC/Circ.1586 and /rev.1-LEG.2/Circ.3 & /rev.1.

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The data requirements of seven of these basic documents have been specifically
described in the annex to the FAL Convention as follows and are presented in
appendix 1 of the FAL Convention.

• General Declaration – IMO FAL Form 1

• Cargo Declaration – IMO FAL Form 2

• Ship's Stores Declaration – IMO FAL Form 3

• Crew's Effects Declaration – IMO FAL Form 4

• Crew List – IMO FAL Form 5

• Passenger List – IMO FAL Form 6

• Dangerous Goods Manifest – IMO FAL Form 7

Contracting Governments shall use these documents. For that purpose, an IMO
Compendium on Facilitation and Electronic Business has been developed 4 (see
explanatory text under Standard 1.6bis), which includes, inter alia:

• definitions of data elements in IMO FAL documents and documents identified in

other IMO instruments;

• details and requirements for electronically exchanging the information contained

in these documents; and

• data mapping to the WCO, ISO and UN/CEFACT data models.

Regarding security-related information, MSC.1/Circ.1305 on Revised guidance to

masters, companies and duly authorized officers on the requirements relating to the
submission of security-related information prior to the entry of a ship into port contains
some practical advice and sets out in the appendix thereto a standard data set of
security-related information a ship might be expected to submit prior to entry into port
if requested to do so pursuant to SOLAS regulation XI-2/9.

As already mentioned under Recommended Practice 1.3 and Standard 1.6, for
customs security purposes, the WCO SAFE Framework of Standards to Secure and
Facilitate Global Trade includes maximum lists of data elements for advance cargo
risk assessment. Customs authorities may be guided by these maximum lists, which
are not mandatory, in establishing their respective data requirements for security
purposes.

As regards the notification of waste, the exact data on the types and amounts of the
ship-generated waste and cargo residues delivered by a ship in the last port is
essential for an accurate calculation of sufficient dedicated storage capacity on that
ship. The calculation of sufficient storage capacity is a prerequisite for allowing the
ship to proceed to the next port of call without having delivered its ship-generated
waste, as well as for a proper selection of vessels for inspection. Better targeted
inspections will contribute to the effective operation of maritime traffic, by reducing
turnaround time in ports.

4 FAL.5/Circ.40, Revised IMO Compendium on Facilitation and Electronic Business.

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2.1.1 Standard. Contracting Governments shall not require consular formalities,

charges or fees in connection with documents for the clearance of ships, including the
electronic submission of documents.

The FAL Forms covered by this Convention should be sufficient to perform the
formalities and comply with the regulations in force related to the clearance on arrival
or departure of ships. Additional formalities, charges or fees should not be imposed.
Nor should shipowners or other parties have fees imposed on them or other
requirements such as residency in order to be able to electronically lodge required
information to public authorities directly or via a single window.

2.1.2 Standard. Public authorities shall develop procedures for the lodgement of
pre-arrival and pre-departure information in order to facilitate the processing of such
information for the expedited subsequent release/clearance of cargo and persons.

Information provided before the arrival and the departure of the ship will allow public
authorities to undertake the necessary formalities and assessments and make the
necessary determinations sufficiently in advance to ensure expedited subsequent
clearance of goods and of persons at arrival or departure. Similarly, advance cargo
information for customs risk assessment purposes will allow customs authorities to
screen cargo and determine the appropriate risk level and response.

Different timelines apply for the various types of information.

Regarding the security-related information required under SOLAS

regulation XI-2/9.2.2, MSC.1/Circ.1305 on Revised guidance to masters, companies
and duly authorized officers on the requirements relating to the submission of
security-related information prior to the entry of a ship into port states that unless a
Contracting Government has established a different time period prior to the arrival of
the ship in port for the submission of the required information, the recommended
default minimum period for the submission of such information is not to be less
than 24 hours prior to the expected entry of the ship into port. Some Contracting
Governments require the information to be submitted much earlier than 24 hours
before arrival.

Regarding advance cargo information for customs risk assessment purposes, the
WCO SAFE Framework of Standards to Secure and Facilitate Global Trade
recommends different submission timelines for various modes of transport.
Specifically, in order to ensure a minimum level of consistency and without prejudice
to specific situations, customs should not for containerized cargo require the advance
cargo information to be submitted more than 24 hours before loading at each port of
departure and, for bulk/break bulk, not more than 24 hours before arrival at first port
in the country of destination. However, these timelines may have competitive
disadvantages for so-called "short sea" shipping that, while international in scope, is
confined to a specific geographic area, e.g. between Northern Africa and Europe,
and/or is of short duration, e.g. less than 24 hours. This explains why several WCO
Member Administrations have opted for much shorter submission deadlines for
advance cargo information for this type of maritime traffic.

For other types of information, i.e. information required in the various FAL Forms, the
timelines for submission are at the discretion of the individual Government and its
public authorities. However, as set forth in 2.1.3 Recommended Practice, the
timelines for submission of the information should not normally be set substantially
before the time the ship leaves the country of departure. However, national legislation
could, in addition to the basic rule, also specify exceptions to this principle where
required, e.g. for voyages of short duration.

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As a general principle for all the different types of information, the exact timelines for
when the information has to be lodged at either arrival or departure of the ship and
the cargo and people it is carrying should be clearly set out in national law after careful
analysis of the geographical situation, the business processes applicable for the
various sectors of maritime traffic serving the country, and after consultation with the
regulated parties and any other Administrations concerned. The same principle
applies to the exact information to be provided.

2.1.3 Recommended Practice. National legislation should specify the conditions for
the lodgement of pre-arrival and pre-departure information. With regard to the point in
time of transmission of the pre-arrival information, it should not normally be set before
the moment the ship has left the country of departure. However, national legislation
could, in addition to the basic rule, also specify the exceptions from this principle where
required, e.g. for voyages of short duration.

See explanatory text under Standard 2.1.2.

2.1.3bis Recommended Practice. Public authorities should, for the submission of

advance electronic cargo information for customs risk assessment purposes, take into
account the time limits specified in the WCO SAFE Framework of Standards.

See explanatory text under Standard 2.1.2.

2.1.4 Recommended Practice. Public authorities should not require the lodgement of
a separate General Declaration, Cargo Declaration, Crew List, Passenger List and
Dangerous Goods Manifest if the data elements contained in these documents are
included in the pre-arrival or pre-departure information or in the ship’s manifest.

Public authorities should reuse information already available to them via a single
window or otherwise and they should not require the same information to be submitted
again. When the information required in the General Declaration, Cargo Declaration,
Crew List and Passenger List, and Dangerous Goods Manifest has been provided as
pre-arrival or pre-departure information or in the ship's manifest, the obligation to
provide these documents is considered to be fulfilled. For reasons of legal
responsibility, public authorities may, based on provisions in their national legislation,
regard the pre-arrival information as equal to the lodgement of the FAL Forms.

2.1.5 Standard. Public authorities shall reuse the pre-arrival and pre-departure
information in subsequent procedures where such data is required.

The collection of pre-arrival or pre-departure information enables public authorities:

• to process the information by means of risk management at an early stage;

• to give early permission to unload and load the cargo; and

• where appropriate to select consignments for examination or grant immediate

release or clearance.

This enables public authorities to focus available resources on higher-risk areas and
reduce constraints on fully compliant traders by minimizing interventions in the flow of
goods presenting minimal risks. Advance information will facilitate the processing of
information by customs and other public authorities at the earliest possible stage after
receipt.

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Regarding advance cargo information for customs risk assessment purposes, the
WCO SAFE Framework of Standards to Secure and Facilitate Global Trade
recommends different submission timelines for various modes of transport.

For other types of information, i.e. information required in the various FAL Forms, the
timelines for submission are at the discretion of the individual Government and its
public authorities. However, as set forth in 2.1.3 Recommended Practice, the
timelines for submission of the information should not normally be set substantially
before the time the ship leaves the country of departure. However, national legislation
could, in addition to the basic rule, also specify exceptions to this principle where
required, e.g. for voyages of short duration.

When pre-arrival or pre-departure information is determined to have been submitted

in a timely way and is complete, requests for a formal General Declaration and Cargo
Manifest would simply result in unnecessary duplication. Public authorities should
accept an electronic notification of arrival, referencing the already submitted
prescribed pre-arrival information, as sufficient to fulfil the function of the General
Declaration and the Cargo Manifest. Data duplication should be avoided wherever
and whenever possible and, once data has been validated to be correct, it should be
used for other subsequent procedures, e.g. for customs release or clearance of
goods, such as temporary storage, importation or warehousing. Whenever a
reference to the previously lodged information is made by the shipowner or other
parties, only additional data related to each such specific procedure, if any, should be
required by public authorities.

B. Contents and purpose of documents

2.2 Standard. The General Declaration shall be the basic document on arrival and
departure providing data required by public authorities relating to the ship.

The General Declaration contains a number of specific data elements related to the
ship, its voyage and other information.

Several public authorities could be interested in the information on the General

Declaration, such as the port authorities, customs, health authorities and immigration.
Based on this information, public authorities can perform their assessment and take
the appropriate measures. This assessment can be based on legal provisions and
risk management. Port authorities can allocate the place of berth in the port and
calculate harbour fees. Customs can, preferably based on risk management,
determine if the ship or the cargo on the ship pose a certain risk. Immigration may
include in their assessment the information regarding the countries and the ports
which have been visited by the ship. Also, health authorities could use the information
on the countries visited for their specific tasks.

2.2.1 Recommended Practice. The same form of General Declaration should be

accepted for both the arrival and the departure of the ship.

The General Declaration is a multifunctional document which can be used for

formalities both on arrival and departure. The use of only one document also simplifies
and facilitates the formalities to be fulfilled by the master of the ship or its agent.

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2.2.2 Recommended Practice. In the General Declaration, public authorities should

not require more than the following data:

• name, type and IMO number of ship

• call sign

• flag State of ship

• voyage number

• particulars regarding registry

• particulars regarding tonnage

• name of master

• name and contact details of ship's agent

• brief description of the cargo

• number of crew

• number of passengers

• brief particulars of voyage

• date and time of arrival, or date of departure

• port of arrival/departure

• the ship's requirements in terms of waste and residue reception facilities

• last port of call/next port of call

It is not necessary for public authorities to require all the data elements contained in
the General Declaration; if they are satisfied with fewer data elements, this will
facilitate the obligations of the declarant.

2.2.3 Standard. Public authorities shall accept that the General Declaration is either
dated and signed by the master, the ship's agent or some other person duly authorized
by the master, or authenticated in a manner acceptable to the public authority
concerned.

Signing can take the form of an electronic signature or authentication. See the
comment under Standard 2.16.1.

Public authorities shall not limit the signing of the document to the person responsible
for the ship, i.e. the master. Efficient and easy formalities should allow other persons
to perform the formalities and sign the declaration. In today's trade practice, it is
common that formalities are fulfilled by representation on behalf of the persons
responsible for those formalities. In many cases the master is represented by an agent
authorized by the shipowner. Public authorities should lay down in their national
legislation or regulations the manner in which representation is possible.

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2.3 Standard. The Cargo Declaration shall be the basic document on arrival and
departure providing data required by public authorities relating to the cargo. However,
particulars of any dangerous cargo may also be required to be furnished separately.

The Cargo Declaration contains summary information about the cargo in or on the
ship, basically the quantity and nature of the goods. It also includes some general
information about the ship, such as the name and nationality of the ship. The latter is
useful in linking the Cargo Declaration to the ship and can be used separately from
the General Declaration. The information in the Cargo Declaration or, alternatively, in
the ship's manifest and/or pre-arrival and pre-departure information (see 2.1.4) is to
be used by various public authorities, in particular customs and port authorities. For
example, a reference to such previously lodged information can constitute the
declaration for temporary storage.

2.3.1 Recommended Practice. In the Cargo Declaration, public authorities should not
require more than the following data:

(a) on arrival:

• name and IMO number of ship

• flag State of ship

• name of master

• voyage number

• port of loading

• port where report is made

• freight container identification, where appropriate; marks and

numbers; number and kind of packages; quantity and description
of the goods or, if available, the HS code5

• transport document numbers for cargo to be discharged at the port

in question

• ports at which cargo remaining on board will be discharged

• original ports of shipment in respect of goods shipped under

multimodal transport documents or through bills of lading

(b) on departure:

• name and IMO number of ship

• flag State of ship

5 Convention on the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System: also known as the "Harmonized
system" (HS). This international convention came into force on 1 January 1988; its objective is to establish
a description and coding system for use by customs administrations when designating commodities or
commodity groups for the purposes of setting customs tariffs and collecting statistics.

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• name of master

• voyage number

• port of discharge

• in respect of goods loaded at the port in question: freight container

identification, where appropriate; marks and numbers; number and
kind of packages; quantity and description of the goods

• transport document numbers for cargo loaded at the port in

question

With the information contained in the Cargo Declaration or, alternatively, in the ship's
manifest and/or pre-arrival and pre-departure information, customs may have a global
overview of the cargo entering or leaving a port, thus enabling them to allocate
responsibility for the goods to a specific person or company. For the port authorities,
this information is also useful for dealing with, for example, specialized cargo such as
oil and bulk, and assigning a specific area in the port. This information should be
sufficient for public authorities to be able to perform their primary functions at arrival
and departure. Next to the obligation to use the Cargo Declaration (or its alternatives)
as a facilitation measure, public authorities could publish explanatory notes to these
data elements to simplify the use of the document and to inform the declarant
concerning the content of each specific data element. Not all the information
contained in the Cargo Declaration is necessarily required by public authorities. Public
authorities may be satisfied with fewer data elements.

For the purpose of adequately describing the number and kind of packages on the
cargo declaration, shipowners and other concerned parties should ensure that the
external packaging unit of the goods is used. If the goods are on pallets, the number
and kind of packages on the pallet(s) should be stated. If the goods on the pallet are
not packaged, the quantity and description of goods on the pallet should be used.

To facilitate the processing of information required by public authorities, in particular

risk analysis, all parties involved should use an appropriate description of the goods
and refrain from using generic terms, such as "general cargo", "parts", among others.
Public authorities should make available to all parties concerned lists of descriptions
that are deemed acceptable/unacceptable. Instead of plain language cargo
descriptions, public authorities should accept cargo descriptions using HS codes up
to the sixth digit level, recognizing that more digits may be required in import
declarations.

2.3.2 Standard. In respect of cargo remaining on board, public authorities shall

require only brief details of the minimum essential items of information to be furnished.

The information regarding cargo arriving aboard ship in a port where the cargo will
not be unloaded and another port is the port of discharge shall be limited to general
cargo information, such as a brief description of the goods, their quantity and, where
necessary, the port of destination. However, it should be recognized that, for customs
risk assessment purposes, some Governments may require that goods remaining on
board ships arriving in their ports be included in the advance cargo information
requirements. The same applies to goods that are to be trans-shipped in their ports.

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2.3.3 Standard. Public authorities shall accept that the Cargo Declaration is either
dated and signed by the master, the shipowner issuing the transport document, the
ship's agent or some other person duly authorized by the master, or authenticated in a
manner acceptable to the public authority concerned.
See explanatory notes to Standard 2.2.3 on the dating and signing of the General
Declaration.
Signing can take the form of an electronic signature or authentication; see the
comment under Standard 2.16.1.

2.3.4 Standard. Public authorities shall accept in place of the Cargo Declaration a
copy of the ship's manifest provided it contains at least the information required in
accordance with Recommended Practice 2.3.1 and Standard 2.3.2 and is signed or
authenticated, and dated, in accordance with Standard 2.3.3.

The ship's manifest (or cargo manifest as it is also called) is based on the bill of lading
information but may include additional information, for example about the ship and its
routeing. Typically, the ship's manifest includes more information than the Cargo
Declaration, with some of the data elements being required by or referenced in
national (customs) legislation, for example to establish or demonstrate the customs
status of the goods. As such, the information in the manifest could also be used and
processed by public authorities, for a variety of purposes. In most cases the manifest
information is already available when the cargo is loaded at the port of departure and
may therefore constitute the pre-arrival or, in the case of deep-sea containerized
shipping, pre-loading information lodged for customs risk assessment purposes. To
ensure the liability of the person who presents the manifest as a document for official
purposes, the manifest should be dated and signed in accordance with the rules of
Standard 2.3.3 for the official Cargo Declaration, taking into account Standard 2.16.1.
2.3.4.1 Recommended Practice. As an alternative to Standard 2.3.4, public authorities
may accept a copy of the transport document signed or authenticated in accordance
with Standard 2.3.3, or certified as a true copy, if the nature and quantity of cargo make
this practicable and provided that any data required and identified in accordance with
Recommended Practice 2.3.1 and Standard 2.3.2 which does not appear in such
documents is also furnished elsewhere and duly certified.
The required information to be furnished electronically to public authorities could also
be met with commercial documents other than the manifest, such as the Bill of Lading
or the Sea Waybill. When other commercial documents which are acceptable to public
authorities do not contain all the information required by the Cargo Declaration, this
additional information could be furnished separately by electronic means. Public
authorities should include in their national legislation rules to ensure the liability of the
supplier of the commercial documents.
2.3.5 Standard. Public authorities shall allow unmanifested parcels in possession of
the master to be omitted from the Cargo Declaration provided that particulars of these
parcels are furnished separately.

In cases where the Cargo Declaration is not made and lodged by the master but by
an agent or other authorized person, it is practical to allow the master to furnish the
relevant information in an alternative manner. It must be clear to the master that he
or she takes responsibility for the act of lodging a declaration, for which the relevant
obligations apply. Particulars of unmanifested parcels should be furnished on a
separate form and should include relevant parts of the information normally shown in
the Cargo Declaration. The Cargo Declaration form (IMO FAL Form 2) should be used
with the title duly amended, to "Unmanifested Parcels List" for example.

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2.4 Standard. The Ship's Stores Declaration shall be the basic document on arrival
and departure providing information required by public authorities relating to ship's
stores.

Ships operating in international waters remain offshore for longer periods. It is a

matter of course that the supplies for the crew are available in sufficient quantities.
This includes not only food supplies, but also non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages
and other consumer goods. In most cases these goods are bought without payment
of duties and taxes, because of their consumption and use in international waters. It is
clear that these goods are of special interest for public authorities, especially customs,
at arrival in a port. For that reason, a separate declaration is required to inform
customs of the supplies on board. The Ship's Stores Declaration has been developed
for that purpose. Where high revenue goods are concerned it is customary in many
ports that these goods are placed in a secure space on the ship to guarantee that
they will remain on board. Such a space may be provided with a seal. Customs allow
for a certain amount of cigarettes and alcoholic beverages to be in the possession of
the crew member without the payment of duties and taxes related to the period of stay
in the port. In many countries it is common to also include other goods in the Ship's
Stores Declaration, such as bunkers, weapons and spare parts.

2.4.1 Standard. Public authorities shall accept that the Ship's Stores Declaration is
either dated and signed by the master or by some other ship's officer duly authorized
by the master and having personal knowledge of the facts regarding the ship's stores,
or authenticated in a manner acceptable to the public authority concerned.

See explanatory notes to Standard 2.2.3 on the dating and signing of the General
Declaration.

Signing can take the form of an electronic signature or authentication – see the
comment under Standard 2.16.1.

2.5 Standard. The Crew's Effects Declaration shall be the basic document providing
information required by public authorities relating to crew's effects. It shall not be
required on departure.

Crew members often stay on board for long periods, and to make their stay
comfortable and pleasant, their cabins will contain personal items and entertainment
equipment, such as a television set, sound equipment and a computer. As with the
ship's stores, the crew's effects will remain on board ship and be re-exported at
departure. To ensure that all the crew's effects are re-exported, public authorities may
require at arrival a crew's effects list with all the personal items in the possession of
crew members. The information regarding the items on the crew's effects list should
also include the items for which certain countries have import restrictions, such as
medicines and weapons. For such items public authorities could take specific
measures. Such items could, for example, be stored in a secure space, where
possible the same space as for the ship's stores.

2.5.1 Standard. Public authorities shall accept that the Crew's Effects Declaration is
either dated and signed by the master or by some other ship's officer duly authorized
by the master, or authenticated in a manner acceptable to the public authority
concerned. For the purpose of onboard verification, the public authorities may also
require each crew member to sign or verify in a manner acceptable to the public
authorities the declaration relating to his/her personal effects.

See explanatory notes to Standard 2.2.3 on the dating and signing of the General
Declaration.

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Signing can take the form of an electronic signature or authentication – see the
explanatory notes to Standard 2.16.1.

2.5.2 Recommended Practice. Public authorities should normally require particulars

of only those crew's effects which would not qualify for relief from customs duties and
taxes or which are subject to prohibitions or restrictions.

Most countries have in their (customs) legislation provisions for the relief of duties and
taxes at import for articles with a low value, clothes, other personal effects and
consumer goods to a certain amount, especially for high taxed goods such as
cigarettes and alcoholic beverages. Relief of duties and taxes is normally granted
for 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco and 1 litre of spirits or 2 litres
of wine. Public authorities should allow those items not to be included in the crew's
effects list. Goods which normally would qualify for relief of duties and taxes but are
subject to prohibitions or restrictions in certain countries, should be included in the
crew's effects list to enable the public authorities to enforce these prohibitions and
restrictions. Other items which normally qualify for relief are clothes and toiletries,
among others.

2.6 Standard. The Crew List shall be the basic document required by public
authorities containing data relating to the number and composition of the crew on the
arrival and departure of a ship.

Based on the information on the crew list, public authorities, in particular the
immigration authorities, can make an assessment on the admittance or departure of
crew members or the application of simplified procedures for crew members, or where
necessary the application of specific formalities. Immigration authorities could allow
for the advance lodgement of the information included in the crew list, in order to
assess the information before the arrival of the ship.

2.6.1 Standard. In the Crew List, public authorities shall not require more than the
following data:

• name and IMO number of ship

• flag State of ship

• call sign

• voyage number

• family name

• given name

• nationality

• rank or rating

• gender

• date and place of birth

• nature and number of identity document

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• issuing State of identity document

• expiry date of identify document

• port and date of arrival/departure of the ship

• last port of call

The information in the crew's list is a combination of information about the ship, its
crew and their position on board. With that information, the immigration authorities
are able to make an overall judgement concerning the admissibility of the crew.

2.6.2 Standard. Public authorities shall accept that the Crew List is either dated and
signed by the master or by some other ship's officer duly authorized by the master, or
authenticated in a manner acceptable to the public authority concerned.
See explanatory notes to Standard 2.2.3 on the dating and signing of the General
Declaration.

Signing can take the form of an electronic signature or authentication – see the
comment under Standard 2.16.1.

2.6.3 Not in use.

2.6.4 Recommended Practice. In cases where a ship, serving in a scheduled

programme, calls again at the same port at least once within 14 days and where minor
changes in the crew have taken place, public authorities should not normally require a
new, full Crew List to be submitted but should accept the existing Crew List with the
changes indicated.

Where possible and to simplify the formalities, public authorities should, in respect of
a regular service where the composition of the crew is only slightly changed, be
satisfied with the transmission of the appropriate amendments to the list. Apart from
the benefit derived from facilitating formalities as much as possible, the advantage for
the immigration authorities is that they can focus their assessment on the amended
information and not on information provided previously that has remained unchanged.

2.7 Standard. The Passenger List shall be the basic document required by public
authorities containing the data relating to passengers on the arrival and departure of a
ship.

The formalities for the admittance or departure of passengers may differ from the rules
or practices applicable to crew members, due to the different roles of the two groups,
namely that a crew member has a relationship with the ship and has limited
possibilities to travel freely and withdraw from his or her duties and obligations, while
a passenger, in general, is free to travel and is independent from his or her means of
transport.

Immigration authorities can, based on the information on the passenger list, make a
first assessment on the admittance or departure of passengers. This could be followed
by an individual control of the passenger and his or her identity document and/or
visas. The advance lodgement of the information included in the passenger list and
the subsequent assessment by the immigration authorities before the arrival of the
ship, preferably on the basis of risk management, will facilitate the flow of passengers
in a port with a minimum of delay, especially with ships with a large number of
passengers, for example cruise ships.

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2.7.1 Not in use.

2.7.2 Recommended Practice. Public authorities should not require embarkation or

disembarkation cards in addition to Passenger Lists in respect of passengers whose
names appear on those Lists. However, where public authorities have special problems
constituting a grave danger to public health, a person on an international voyage may
on arrival be required to give a destination address in writing.

Embarkation or disembarkation cards have more or less the same function as the
passengers' list. With these documents, immigration authorities can collect the
information regarding arriving or departing passengers. Where possible, and in
accordance with the domestic legislation of each State, duplication of information
should be avoided, and where a passenger list is required no embarkation or
disembarkation cards should also be required. The passenger list does not contain
information on the destination address of the passenger. Where such information is
required it could be submitted separately or included in the passenger list.

2.7.3 Standard. In the Passenger List, public authorities should not require more than
the following data:

• name and IMO number of ship

• call sign

• flag State of ship

• voyage number

• family name

• given names

• nationality

• date of birth

• place of birth

• gender

• type of identity or travel document

• serial number of identity or travel document

• issuing State of identity or travel document

• expiry date of identity or travel document

• port of embarkation

• visa number, if appropriate

• port of disembarkation

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• port and date of arrival/departure of the ship

• transit passenger or not

With the information contained in the passenger list, the immigration authorities are
able to make an overall judgement regarding the admissibility of the passenger on
board a ship. The information in the passenger list is related to the information
regarding the ship, the particulars of the voyage of the ship and its passengers, the
individual information of the passenger and the identity documents.

A visa may be an admission requirement in some countries and may differ from
country to country. The visa number should therefore only be submitted when it is
absolutely required for a passenger. The visa should be processed and approved
beforehand. Where it is required to present information about the visa, the visa
number should be included in the passenger list.

2.7.4 Recommended Practice. A list compiled by the shipowners for their own use
should be accepted in place of the Passenger List, provided it contains at least the
information required in accordance with Standard 2.7.3 and is dated and signed or
authenticated in accordance with Standard 2.7.5.

With a view to simplifying the required formalities and to avoiding duplication of

information, the information may be presented in another manner as long as the
information on the passenger list is included and the document is duly signed.

However, it should be noted that, when submitting information electronically on the

passengers by using a non-standardized list which is not compatible with the required
formats and structures of the electronic system (e.g. a single window), the information
may not be accepted. This may cause an unplanned delay to the ship's visit while the
correct forms are being filled and submitted to the system for acceptance.

2.7.5 Standard. Public authorities shall accept that the Passenger List is either dated
and signed by the master, the ship's agent or some other person duly authorized by the
master, or authenticated in a manner acceptable to the public authority concerned.

See explanatory notes to Standard 2.2.3 on the dating and signing of the General
Declaration.

Signing can take the form of an electronic signature or authentication – see the
comment under Standard 2.16.1.

2.8 Standard. The Dangerous Goods Manifest shall be the basic document
providing public authorities with the information regarding dangerous goods.

A safe maritime environment is one of the main objectives of the International

Maritime Organization. Dangerous goods may impede a safe environment if not
handled, labelled and documented in accordance with applicable rules and
regulations. To ensure a safe environment it is necessary that the responsible public
authorities have access to the relevant information. For this purpose, a separate data
set (in paper IMO FAL Form 7) has been developed, the Dangerous Goods Manifest.
Refer to chapter VII of the SOLAS Convention and relevant provisions of the
International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG Code).

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2.8.1 Standard. In the Dangerous Goods Manifest public authorities shall not require
more than the following information:

• name of ship

• call sign

• IMO number

• flag State of ship

• voyage number

• port of loading

• port of discharge

• stowage position

• reference number

• marks and numbers

o freight container identification No(s)

o vehicle registration reg. No(s). UN Number

• proper shipping name/(Technical Specifications)

• class/(subsidiary risk(s))

• packing group

• additional information/ marine pollutant/flash point/etc.

• number and kind of packages

• mass (kg) or volume (L)

• EmS

• shipping agent

The Dangerous Goods Manifest (IMO FAL Form 7) provides public authorities with
specific information to enable them to apply the specific measures for certain
dangerous goods as well as for hazardous and harmful substances. In addition to the
general information about the ship, agent and mass or volume, the Dangerous Goods
Manifest contains detailed information on and specific descriptions of the dangerous
goods and the hazardous and harmful substances according to the International
Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG Code) relevant for inclusion in FAL Form 7.
The stowage position on board should be notified for quick identification and location
of the dangerous goods on the ship in case of an emergency.

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ADDITIONAL GUIDANCE TO COMPLETE FAL FORM 7

1.1 Name of ship As per other FAL Forms

1.2 IMO number As per other FAL Forms
1.3 Call sign As per other FAL Forms
1.4 Voyage number As per other FAL Forms
2. Flag State of ship As per other FAL Forms
Port of loading where the cargo mentioned in boxes
3. Port of loading
5 to 14 is loaded
Port of unloading where the cargo mentioned in
4. Port of discharge
boxes 5 to 14 is discharged
5. Stowage position
6. Reference number Booking reference of the cargo
7. Marks and
numbers
container Id. No(s).
vehicle Reg. No(s).
- Information obtained from the dangerous goods
transport document.

8. UN number - Four-digit United Nations number assigned to

dangerous, hazardous and harmful substances,
materials and articles.

- Information obtained from the dangerous goods

transport document.

9. Proper shipping - The proper shipping name is given in column (2) of

name / (technical the Dangerous Goods List contained in 3.2 of the
specifications) IMDG Code (Volume 2); this includes the
technical/chemical name enclosed in parenthesis, if
applicable (see 3.1.2.8 and 3.1.2.9 of the IMDG
Code).
- Information obtained from the dangerous goods
transport document.

- The primary hazard class or, when assigned, the

10. Class / (subsidiary division of the goods, including, for class 1, the
risk(s)) compatibility group letter and the subsidiary hazard
class or division number(s) corresponding to the
subsidiary risk label(s) required to be applied, when
assigned.

- Information obtained from the dangerous goods

transport document.
11. Packing group
- If a packing group is assigned, it will be shown
as I, II or III.
- Information obtained from the dangerous goods
12. Additional transport documents and not mentioned in other
information / boxes in this Form, which supplements the proper
marine pollutant / shipping name in the dangerous goods description
flash point / etc. and information required in addition to the
dangerous goods description.

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- Information obtained from the dangerous goods

13. Number and kind
transport document.
of packages
- Information obtained from the dangerous goods
14. Mass (kg) or
transport document.
volume (L)
- The four-letter code referring to the relevant
emergency schedules of the EmS Guide should be
15. EmS
indicated unless emergency response information
has otherwise been provided to the ship.

- Name of the person and organization responsible

16. Shipping agent
for filling in this form.
16.1 Place and date - Place and date of signature.
- If this form is prepared electronically, name in
Signature of agent
bolded capital letters could be used.

2.9 Standard. Public authorities shall not require on arrival or departure of the ship
any written declaration in respect of postal items other than that prescribed in the
Universal Postal Convention, provided the latter is actually produced. In the absence of
such a document, the postal objects (number and weight) must be shown in the Cargo
Declaration.

The Universal Postal Convention provides for special procedures for the treatment of
postal items, including the use of special documents. What is meant by postal items
is defined in the Universal Postal Convention and grouped by type (letters, parcels,
etc.) weight and/or value. Where the postal documents can be presented at arrival or
departure, accompanying the postal consignments, public authorities shall waive the
requirement for an inclusion in the Cargo Declaration. It is self-evident that where the
specific postal documents are not available, the postal consignments will be treated
as normal goods without the advantages of the special procedures provided for in the
Universal Postal Convention. In that case the postal consignments have to be
included in the Cargo Declaration.

It should be noted that public authorities, for risk assessment purposes, may require
the lodgement of pre-arrival information regarding postal consignments.

2.10 Standard. The Maritime Declaration of Health shall be the basic document
containing the data required by port health authorities relating to the state of health on
board a ship during the voyage and on arrival at a port.

The Maritime Declaration of Health is destined in particular for the health authorities
of the port of call. The particulars to be reported are the number of crew and/or
passengers and if there have been any cases or suspected cases of plague, cholera,
yellow fever, smallpox, among other infectious diseases, on board during the voyage.
Information on any cases of death have also to be provided as well as any other
information which may be important for the health authorities. Based on the
information provided, the health authorities can take appropriate measures, such as
assistance from a doctor (potentially one specializing in infectious diseases),
ambulance assistance or quarantine measures. In this context, see also the
provisions of the Convention and their explanatory notes in part H of this section, on
special measures of facilitation for ships calling at ports in order to put ashore sick or
injured crew members, passengers, persons rescued at sea or other persons for
emergency medical treatment.

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C. Documents on arrival

2.11 Standard. Until the expiration of the transitional period referred to in

Standard 1.3ter, public authorities shall in respect of a ship's arrival in port not require
more than:

• 5 copies of the General Declaration

• 4 copies of the Cargo Declaration

• 4 copies of the Ship's Stores Declaration

• 2 copies of the Crew's Effects Declaration

• 4 copies of the Crew List

• 4 copies of the Passenger List

• 1 copy of the Dangerous Goods Manifest

• 1 copy of the Maritime Declaration of Health

• 1 copy of the security-related information as required under SOLAS

regulation XI-2/9.2.2

• 1 copy of the Advanced Notification Form for Waste Delivery to Port

Reception Facilities when communicated to the Organization

Upon expiration of the transitional period, paper copies shall not be required except in
case of force majeure where means of electronic transmission are unavailable.

The number of paper copies to be furnished is to some extent related to the number
of public authorities which may have an interest in the information in the
declarations. From 8 April 2019, paper copies will be replaced by a number of
electronic messages for each public authority.

Where a single window has been established, a single submission of each

document, or the transmission of all information through a single message
structure, should suffice because the single window can either forward the
information to the public authorities requiring it or these authorities can retrieve the
information. Where no single window has been established, and in order to ensure
reuse of submitted information, the authority to which information has been lodged
should share that information with other authorities concerned. Paper copies
should only be required in cases of force majeure where no network will be
available for lodging information to a single point.

D. Documents on departure

2.12 Standard. Until the expiration of the transitional period referred to in

Standard 1.3ter, public authorities shall in respect of a ship's departure from port not
require more than:

• 5 copies of the General Declaration

• 4 copies of the Cargo Declaration

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• 3 copies of the Ship's Stores Declaration

• 2 copies of the Crew List

• 2 copies of the Passenger List

• 1 copy of the Dangerous Goods Manifest

Upon expiration of the transitional period, paper copies shall not be required except in
case of force majeure where means of electronic transmission are unavailable.

See the explanatory notes to Standard 2.11 on the number of copies to be furnished
on arrival.

2.12.1 Standard. A new Cargo Declaration shall not be required on departure from a
port in respect of cargo which has been the subject of a declaration on arrival in that
port and which has remained on board.

Based on Standard 2.3.2, public authorities shall only require brief details of cargo
remaining on board at arrival. Logically the requirements at departure shall be
comparable. Where the cargo destined for another country remains on board and the
brief details of the cargo have been included in the Cargo Declaration, public
authorities shall be satisfied with that information. A new Cargo Declaration would not
contain any new information regarding the cargo.

2.12.2 Recommended Practice. A separate Ship's Stores Declaration on departure

should not be required in respect of ship's stores which have been the subject of a
declaration on arrival, nor in respect of stores shipped in the port and covered by
another customs document presented for the purpose in that port.

The main purpose of the Ship's Stores Declaration is to supervise the temporary
importation of the ship's stores and their subsequent re-exportation. For public
authorities, e.g. customs, it is possible to check if the stores are still present, based
on the information contained in the Ship's Stores Declaration on arrival. A separate
Ship's Stores Declaration would be a repetition of the information on arrival. Where
necessary the notification of departure could be made on the Ship's Stores
Declaration lodged on arrival. Information regarding stores supplied to the ship during
its stay in the port may be added to the Ship's Stores Declaration already present or
may be cleared for exportation separately, using an export declaration for example.

2.12.3 Standard. Where public authorities require information about the crew of a ship
on its departure from the port, one of the copies of the Crew List presented on arrival at
the port shall be accepted on departure, provided it is signed again by the master or an
officer duly authorized by him/her, and endorsed or authenticated in a manner
acceptable to the public authority concerned, to indicate any change in the number or
composition of the crew at the time of the ship's departure or to indicate that no such
change has occurred during the ship's stay in the port.

Signing can take the form of an electronic signature or authentication. See the
comment under Standard 2.16.1.

2.13 Not in use.

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E. Consecutive calls at two or more ports in the same State

2.14 Standard. Taking into account the procedures carried out on the arrival of a
ship at the first port of call in the territory of a State, shipowners shall only be obligated
to submit required information once to the public authorities of a State. The formalities
and documents required by the public authorities at any subsequent port of call in that
country visited without intermediate call at a port in another country shall be kept to a
minimum.

Where a ship will call at different ports in the same State, the procedure shall be
simplified by requiring only one General Declaration on arrival at the first port of call,
and a General Declaration on departure at the last port of call in the same State.
Where necessary, the public authorities in the first port of call should provide the
public authorities in the subsequent port of call in the same State with the information
from the General Declaration or – where single window exists – those latter authorities
may retrieve the information. Regarding the cargo, public authorities may accept
amendments to the originally lodged Cargo Declaration for each subsequent port of
call in the same State containing the information of the cargo to be unloaded and
loaded in that port. For the other formalities the public authorities in the subsequent
port of call in the same State should accept the information corresponding to the
documents lodged at the first port of call (such as the Ship's Stores Declaration,
Crew's Effects List, Crew List, Passenger List, Dangerous Goods Manifest and the
security-related information). Public authorities may waive the requirement to lodge
declarations on departure, when the ship will call at one or more subsequent ports of
call in the same State.

Regarding advance cargo information for customs risk assessment, such information
should only be required for the cargo loaded in each subsequent port; no advance
information should be required for the cargo to be unloaded or remaining on board as
that cargo was already risk assessed prior to arrival in the first port in that State.

F. Completion of documents

2.15 Recommended Practice. Public authorities should as far as possible accept the
documents provided for in this annex, except as regards Standard 3.7, irrespective of
the language in which the required data is furnished thereon, provided that they may
require a written or oral translation into one of the official languages of their country or
of the Organization when they deem it necessary.

Maritime traffic is by definition internationally orientated, where only a few languages

dominate communications between the parties involved. The IMO FAL Forms are
already available in the official languages of the Organization. Therefore, it would
facilitate international maritime traffic if these languages are used on the IMO FAL
Forms and accepted by public authorities. This would only be possible if the parties
involved are able to work with these languages. If that is not the case, a compromise
should be found when the language used in the IMO FAL Forms is one of the official
languages of the Organization and the details to be furnished were requested to be
in the language of the visited country. A written translation should also be accepted
by the public authorities of the visited country, or even an oral translation. The latter
however could be the basis for ambiguity or liability disputes and should only be used
in clear situations.

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2.16 Standard. Public authorities shall accept documents conveyed by any legible
and understandable medium, including documents handwritten in ink or indelible pencil
or produced by the use of information technology.

The manner in which documents are presented to the public authorities should be as
broad as possible. Prior to 8 April 2019, it was possible to submit paper forms filled in
by hand, pre-printed forms containing general information such as information on the
ship, with other information being added by hand. It was also possible for the
information, including the layout of the form, to be printed in a single process on blank
paper. However, from 8 April 2019, the required information should be provided by
electronic means. Public authorities should at the earliest opportunity, and in any case
by no later than 8 April 2019, bring their legislation in line with these modern means
of communication and develop, where possible and desirable, systems for the
electronic exchange of information. See also section 1, B and C of this annex.

2.16.1 Standard. Public authorities shall accept a signature, when required, in

handwriting, in facsimile, perforated, stamped, in symbols, or made by any other
mechanical or electronic means, if such acceptance is not inconsistent with national
laws. The authentication of information submitted on non-paper media shall be in a
manner that is acceptable to the public authority concerned and which facilitates the
electronic submission of the information by the parties concerned irrespective of their
residence.

Electronic transmission of required information can be done from any location as long
as the submitter has been certified and authenticated pursuant to applicable
regulations and requirements. Such regulations and requirements should not require
that the submitter be domiciled in the jurisdiction to which the information is to be
submitted. Nor should they require the usage of a service provider or IT systems, e.g.
a server, located in that jurisdiction. Information regarding certification and
authentication requirements should be publicly and electronically available, and
should be furnished in one of the official languages of the Organization in addition to
any local languages.

The signature that may be required in the context of electronic transmission would be
an electronic signature. According to the definition of the UNCITRAL model law,
"'Electronic signature' means data in electronic form in, affixed to or logically
associated with, a data message, which may be used to identify the signatory in
relation to the data message and to indicate the signatory's approval of the information
contained in the data message".

Reference may be made to the UNCITRAL Guide to Enactment of the UNCITRAL

Model Law on Electronic Signatures.

Reference may also be made to ISO standard 14533-1, -2 and -3, and to
UN/CEFACT Recommendation No.14.

2.17 Standard. Public authorities of the country of any intended port of arrival,
discharge, or transit shall not require any document relating to the ship, its cargo,
stores, passengers or crew, as mentioned in this section, to be legalized, verified,
authenticated or previously dealt with by any of their representatives abroad. This shall
not be deemed to preclude a requirement for the presentation of a passport or other
identity document of a passenger or crew member for visa or similar purposes.

This Standard is related to Standard 2.1.1 where public authorities shall not require
or impose consular formalities, charges or fees with the documents for clearance.
Standard 2.17 requires public authorities not to apply additional formalities to

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accompany the submission of IMO FAL Forms or other documents, so as to simplify

the formalities and reduce costs for both the maritime industry and the public
authorities. In addition, such an additional burden would hamper the efficiency of
operations in a port. It is understood that, for immigration purposes, passports, other
identity documents and visas must fulfil the standard requirements related to the
legalization or authorization of these documents.

G. Errors and amendments in documentation and penalties therefor

2.18 Standard. Public authorities shall, without delaying the ship, allow correction
of errors in a document provided for in this annex which they are satisfied are
inadvertent, not of a serious nature, not due to recurrent carelessness and not made
with intent to violate laws or regulations, on the condition that these errors are
discovered before the document is fully checked and the corrections can be effected
without delay.

It is important that a ship be allowed to continue its journey after all formalities have
been performed. Where it is found that errors in the declaration are minor and made
unintentionally, this should not delay the departure of the ship and corrections should
be allowed. National legislation should prescribe in which situations corrections are
allowed. It should also be prescribed that it is the responsibility of the declarant to
ensure that the public authorities are informed about the errors without delay. In many
countries it is not allowed to make any corrections in the declaration once a
declaration has been accepted by the public authorities.

2.19 Standard. If errors are found in the data transmitted as provided for in
appendix 1 of this annex, which have been signed by or on behalf of a shipowner or
master, or otherwise authenticated, no penalties shall be imposed until an opportunity
has been given to satisfy the public authorities that the errors were inadvertent, not of
a serious nature, not due to recurrent carelessness and not made with intent to violate
the laws or regulations of the port State.

When public authorities have allowed correction of the declaration because of the
nature of the errors and the public authorities are satisfied that they have not been
made deliberately, a penalty would be disproportionate to the minor offence. When it
is discovered that the errors have been made with the intention to violate the law, for
example when the errors would result in the payment of less duties and taxes or the
avoidance of import restrictions and prohibitions, public authorities could reconsider
their assessment regarding penalties.

2.19bis Standard. Public authorities shall allow for amendments to information

already submitted in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

National legislation may prescribe in which situations amendments are allowed.

It should also be prescribed that it is the responsibility of the declarant to ensure that
the public authorities are informed about the amendments without delay. In many
countries it is not allowed to make amendments to the information once it has been
accepted by the public authorities or, in the case of customs formalities, customs has
decided to inspect the goods.

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H. Special measures of facilitation for ships calling at ports in order to put ashore
sick or injured crew members, passengers, persons rescued at sea or other
persons for emergency medical treatment

2.20 Standard. Public authorities shall seek the cooperation of shipowners to ensure
that, when ships intend to call at ports for the sole purpose of putting ashore sick or
injured crew members, passengers, persons rescued at sea or other persons for
emergency medical treatment, the master shall give the public authorities as much
notice as possible of that intention, with the fullest possible details of the sickness or
injury and of the identity of the persons.

To avoid practical problems and delay upon the arrival of the ship, States should
ensure that it is clear with whom the shipowner or master must interact. Preferably
there should be a single point of contact in line with the "single window" principle
mentioned in Recommended Practice 1.2.

It is essential when putting ashore persons mentioned in this provision that public
authorities cooperate with shipowners or agents established in their ports to make the
appropriate arrangements so that all parties know in advance which information is
required. Shipowners or the agent will have to inform the master(s) of the ship(s) in
question of the information agreed by the public authorities in case of emergency.
This will enable public authorities to respond quickly and simplify operations in an
emergency. In addition, public authorities could also provide for easy clearance
procedures which could be realized by means of close cooperation between all public
authorities involved.

2.21 Standard. Public authorities shall, by radio whenever possible, but in any case
by the fastest channels available, inform the master, before the arrival of the ship, of
the documentation and the procedures necessary to put the sick or injured persons
ashore expeditiously and to clear the ship without delay.

2.22 Standard. With regard to ships calling at ports for this purpose and intending
to leave again immediately, public authorities shall give priority in berthing if the state
of the sick person or the sea conditions do not allow a safe disembarkation in the roads
or harbour approaches.

2.23 Standard. With regard to ships calling at ports for this purpose and intending
to leave again immediately, public authorities shall not require the documents
mentioned in Standard 2.1 with the exception of the Maritime Declaration of Health and,
if it is indispensable, the General Declaration. Public authorities shall in such situations
waive the time limits for the submission of the documents.

To limit formalities as much as possible in cases where a ship has to call at a port due
to the circumstances dealt with in this section, public authorities shall, within national
legislation, refrain from seeking information other than that contained in the Maritime
Declaration of Health, developed by the World Health Organization. The master
should, however, as mentioned in Standard 2.20, provide the public authorities with
the identity of the ill or injured persons as well as the fullest possible details of the
injury or disease. This information could be sent by the master in advance, e.g. by
electronic means. No request for information contained in the General Declaration or
in the other documents listed in Standard 2.2 should normally be required by public
authorities in cases where the ship intends to leave immediately after the sick or
injured persons have been disembarked, and no unloading of goods or disembarking
of other persons will take place.

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2.24 Standard. Where public authorities require the General Declaration, this
document shall not contain more data than those mentioned in Recommended
Practice 2.2.2 and, wherever possible, shall contain less.

In cases where the General Declaration will be required in spite of the urgent
circumstances, the information to be given in the General Declaration shall be limited
as much as possible. Public authorities should take into account that the basic
information contained in the General Declaration is also available in the Maritime
Declaration of Health. As a solution, the Maritime Declaration of Health should be
used as the General Declaration or – where single window exists – be forwarded
to/retrieved by the public authorities concerned.

2.25 Standard. Where the public authorities apply control measures related to the
arrival of a ship prior to sick or injured persons being put ashore, emergency medical
treatment and measures for the protection of public health shall take precedence over
these control measures.

Emergency medical treatment and measures shall not be interfered with or hindered
by control measures related to the arrival of a ship. These control measures are
normally performed by public authorities other than health authorities. Cooperation
between all authorities involved is therefore essential in order to avoid obstruction of
the work performed by the health authorities and not to unduly delay the departure of
the ship. The development of contingency plans and scenarios in which the tasks of
all authorities involved are described will help all parties to perform more efficiently.
Reference could be included in the contingency plans to the International Health
Regulations, which contain procedures for disembarking persons suffering from
infectious diseases that present significant harm to other humans.

2.26 Standard. Where guarantees or undertakings are required in respect of costs of

treatment or eventual removal or repatriation of the persons concerned, emergency
medical treatment shall not be withheld or delayed while these guarantees or
undertakings are being obtained.

2.27 Standard. Emergency medical treatment and measures for the protection of
public health shall take precedence over any control measures which public authorities
may apply to sick or injured persons being put ashore.

This Standard pertains to any control measures, whereas Standard 2.25 is only
concerned with control measures related to the arrival of a ship. Control measures
normally related to persons, including sick or injured persons, are mostly performed
by immigration authorities. These controls can and should be performed at a later
stage after the sick or injured persons have received emergency medical treatment
or measures have been taken to protect the public health. An immigration official can
accompany the sick or injured person, if warranted, in order to facilitate processing of
that person and mitigate any risks that may be associated with processing the person
at a later stage or after the administration of medical treatment.

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Section 3
Arrival and departure of persons

This section contains the provisions concerning the formalities required by public
authorities from crew and passengers on the arrival or departure of a ship.

A. Arrival and departure requirements and procedures

3.1 Standard. A valid passport shall be the basic document providing public
authorities with information relating to the individual passenger on arrival or departure
of a ship.

To assist in determining a person's identity, each country may designate document

alternatives to the passport for purposes of cross-border travel. The personal
information contained in a passport should be the minimum information provided on
a passenger. Upon arrival the public authorities may request additional information.

3.1.1 Recommended Practice. Contracting Governments should as far as possible

agree, by bilateral or multilateral agreements, to accept official documents of identity in
lieu of passports.

A Contracting Government should, where practicable, accept any valid identity

document that would allow the applicant to return to their country of residence, as
long as it meets the statutory requirements of the accepting Government.

3.2 Standard. Public authorities shall make arrangements whereby passports, or

official documents of identity accepted in their place, from ship's passengers need be
inspected by the immigration authorities only once at the time of arrival and once at the
time of departure. In addition, these passports or official documents of identity may be
required to be produced for the purpose of verification or identification in connection
with customs and other formalities on arrival and departure.

Public authorities should ensure that ships' passengers' travel documents are
inspected by immigration officials upon arrival and before departure. The master of
the ship controls the documents and is therefore responsible for ensuring they are
presented to the inspecting authorities. Inspections by public authorities shall be
limited, when possible and according to national legislation, to the arrival and
departure of the ship, but this does not preclude additional inspections for
circumstances involving security matters or where deemed appropriate and warranted
by public authorities.

3.3 Standard. After individual presentation of passports or official documents of

identity accepted in their place, public authorities shall hand back such documents
immediately after examination rather than withholding them for the purpose of
obtaining additional control, unless there is some obstacle to the admission of a
passenger to the territory.

3.3.1 Standard. Each Contracting Government shall ensure that the public authorities
seize fraudulent, falsified or counterfeit travel documents of inadmissible persons.
Such documents shall be removed from circulation and returned to the appropriate
authorities when practicable. In place of a seized document, a covering letter 6 shall be
issued by the removing State and attached to it will be a photocopy of the forged travel
documents, if available, as well as any important information. The covering letter and

6 A possible format for a covering letter is given in appendix 2 of the Convention.

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its attachment shall be handed over to the operator responsible for the removal of the
inadmissible person. It will serve to give information to the authorities at the transit
and/or the original point of embarkation.

The use of fraudulent documents has always been a concern of public authorities.
When encountered, those documents will be seized and removed from circulation to
prevent further fraud and misuse. A covering letter, or other form issued by the seizing
authority, will be issued to the party responsible for the removal of the applicant.
For example, if the applicant is travelling by air, this letter should meet International
Civil Aviation Organization standards. This is to provide the receiving Government
with information relating to the applicant's use of a fraudulent document. This does
not prevent the public authorities from acting in accordance with their laws and
regulations on the processing of applicants who utilize fraudulent travel documents,
including, but not limited to, the right to pursue criminal prosecution or use of the
documents as evidence in criminal proceedings or investigative purposes.

The above Standard shall not be construed as overriding the right of the public
authorities of the Contracting Governments to determine whether or not, depending
on the individual case, possession of fraudulent documents in itself constitutes
grounds for refusal of admission and prompt removal from the territory of the State
concerned. Nothing in this Standard is to be construed as contradicting the provisions
of the United Nations Convention relating to the Status of Refugees of 28 July 1951
and the United Nations Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees
of 31 January 1967, which concern the prohibition of the expulsion or return of a
refugee.

3.3.2 Standard. Contracting Governments shall accept for examination a person

being returned from his/her point of disembarkation after having been found
inadmissible if this person had embarked in their territory. Contracting Governments
shall not return such a person to the country where he or she was earlier found to be
inadmissible.

Contracting Governments shall accept the return of a person who had been previously
granted landing privileges or admitted to that territory, if that person was denied entry
at the next port. The Contracting Government still maintains the right to process the
person in accordance with laws and regulations pertaining to the return of that person
to his or her territory. The Contracting Government may not return the person to the
country that found the applicant inadmissible.

This provision is not intended to prevent public authorities from further examining a
returned inadmissible person to determine their eventual acceptability in the State or
make arrangements for their transfer, removal or deportation to a State of which they
are a national or where they are otherwise acceptable. Where a person who has been
found to be inadmissible has lost or destroyed their travel document, a Contracting
Government will accept instead a document attesting to the circumstances of
embarkation and arrival issued by the public authorities of the Contracting
Government where the person was found to be inadmissible.

Nothing in this Standard or the paragraph above is to be construed as contradicting

the provisions of the United Nations Convention relating to the Status of Refugees
of 28 July 1951 and the United Nations Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees
of 31 January 1967, which concern the prohibition of the expulsion or return of a
refugee.

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3.3.3 Standard. Before passengers and crew are accepted for examination as to their
admissibility into the State, responsibility for their custody and care shall remain with
the shipowner.

The shipowner remains the responsible party until the passengers and/or crew are
presented for inspection for admission into the State. This is to ensure that all persons
on board are presented to the public authorities for inspection. The shipowner is held
accountable for those passengers or crew who disembark prior to inspection by the
public authorities.
3.3.4 Recommended Practice. After acceptance of passengers and crew for
examination, whether conditional or unconditional and if the persons concerned are
under the physical control of the public authorities, the public authorities should be
responsible for their custody and care until they are admitted for entry or are found to
be inadmissible.
Contracting Governments should ensure that the inspection area is safe and secure
for the arriving persons. Once the inspection is complete the person may either be
admitted to the State or returned to the custody and care of the shipowner. Once a
crew member has been granted temporary landing privileges and the crew member
is no longer in the physical control of the Contracting Government, the shipowner
resumes responsibility for the custody and care of the crew member.
Not all maritime ports have a fixed control and when ships arrive at remote or small
ports immigration officers may have no option but to examine passengers and crew
on board. The public authorities may require the master to take such steps as may be
necessary to ensure that those to be examined are presented in a safe and orderly
manner and otherwise in accordance with arrangements approved by the public
authority.
3.3.5 Standard. The obligation of a shipowner to transport any person away from the
territory of a State shall terminate from the moment such a person has been definitely
admitted into that State.
Once a person has been admitted to a State, the arriving person becomes the
responsibility of that State in conformance with that State's national legislation as
applicable. Responsibility for those persons not admitted to the State lies with the
shipowner. A crew member who has been granted temporary landing privileges is still
under the shipowner's responsibility.
3.3.6 Standard. Where a person is found to be inadmissible, the public authorities
shall, without unreasonable delay, inform the shipowner and consult the shipowner
regarding the arrangements for removal. The shipowner is responsible for the costs of
stay and removal of an inadmissible person and, in the case where the person is
transferred back to the custody of the shipowner, the shipowner shall be responsible
for effecting his/her prompt removal to:

• the country of embarkation; or

• any other place where the person is admissible.

The shipowner retains responsibility and will bear all costs involved for all persons
determined to be inadmissible to that State. After the determination is made, the
shipowner must actively facilitate the removal of the person within a reasonable time.
The removal should occur with the cooperation of the public authorities and by the
same ship or another ship of the same shipowner, aircraft or by any other means.
This does not preclude the State from requesting the applicant be detained on board
and be safeguarded, where necessary.

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3.3.7 Standard. Contracting Governments and shipowners shall cooperate, where

practicable, to establish the validity and authenticity of passports and visas.

Contracting Governments and shipowners shall make every effort to verify the validity
of the document. If a shipowner encounters a document that appears questionable,
every effort should be made to verify the document prior to departing.

3.4 Recommended Practice. Public authorities should not require from embarking
or disembarking passengers, or from shipowners on their behalf, any information in
writing supplementary to or repeating that already presented in their passports or
official documents of identity, other than as necessary to complete any documents
provided for in this annex.

3.5 Recommended Practice. Public authorities which require written

supplementary information, other than as necessary to complete any documents
provided for in this annex, from embarking or disembarking passengers should limit
requirements for further identification of passengers to the items set forth in
Recommended Practice 3.6 (embarkation/disembarkation card). Public authorities
should accept the embarkation/ disembarkation card when completed by the passenger
and should not require that it be completed or checked by the shipowner. Legible
handwritten script should be accepted on the card, except where the form specifies
block lettering. One copy only of the embarkation/disembarkation card, which may
include one or more simultaneously prepared carbon copies, should be required from
each passenger.

3.6 Recommended Practice. In the embarkation/disembarkation card, public

authorities should not require more than the following information:

• family name

• given names

• nationality
• number and expiry date of passport or other official identity document

• date of birth

• place of birth

• occupation

• port of embarkation/disembarkation

• gender

• destination address

• signature

In the event that public authorities require a written statement on the passenger's
identity with the intention of retaining that information, the information mentioned in
this Recommended Practice should be sufficient. With that information public
authorities should be able to perform the necessary checks on the admissibility of a
passenger.

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3.7 Standard. In cases where evidence of protection against yellow fever is

required from persons on board a ship, public authorities shall accept the International
Certificate of Vaccination or Re-Vaccination in the forms provided for in the
International Health Regulations.

Public authorities may accept other forms of certification, if their national legislation
allows. However, at a minimum they shall accept the International Health Regulations
approved forms.

3.8 Recommended Practice. Medical examination of persons on board or of

persons disembarking from ships should normally be limited to those persons arriving
from an area infected with quarantinable diseases within the incubation period of the
disease concerned (as stated in the International Health Regulations). Additional
medical examination may, however, be required in accordance with the International
Health Regulations.

To avoid unnecessary medical examinations and a delay in the efficient and

undisturbed flow in the release of persons arriving in a country, medical examinations
should only be carried out when this is recommended or required under the rules of
the World Health Organization in circumstances and for a period determined by that
Organization.

3.9 Recommended Practice. Public authorities should normally perform customs

inspections of inbound passengers' accompanied baggage on a sampling or selective
basis. Written declarations in respect of passengers' accompanied baggage should be
dispensed with as far as possible.

Public authorities should only perform inspections on baggage in order to ensure

compliance with national legislation. When possible and where regulation and other
laws allow, an oral declaration may be taken in place of a written declaration.

3.9.1 Recommended Practice. Public authorities should, wherever possible, waive

inspections of accompanied baggage of departing passengers, with due regard to the
possible need to impose appropriate security measures, preferably by automated
means, to facilitate review.
Public authorities may waive baggage inspections for passengers if the public
authority concludes that waiving such inspections would be consistent with security,
public health and all other law enforcement or public interest considerations.
Examples of automated means are X-ray, metal detector, machine olfaction or other
technical devices and methods that can substitute for a physical inspection of the
luggage.
3.9.2 Recommended Practice. Where inspection of accompanied baggage of
departing passengers cannot be waived completely, such inspection should normally
be performed on a sampling or selective basis.
When baggage inspections cannot be waived, public authorities should, whenever
possible and permitted under the national legislation, only conduct baggage
inspections on a selective basis using risk management techniques, such as
described in Standard 1.11.
Where feasible, baggage checks should also be performed with the use of modern
inspection techniques, such as scanning and/or the use of inspection dogs. Basic
rules for the treatment of passengers can be found in Specific Annex J, Chapter 1 on
Travellers of the Revised Kyoto Convention.

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3.10 Standard. A passport or an identity document issued in accordance with

relevant ILO conventions, or else a valid and duly recognized seafarer's identity
document, shall be the basic document providing public authorities with information
relating to the individual member of the crew on arrival or departure of a ship.

The information contained in a valid seafarer's identity document or a passport will be

the basic information provided to public authorities. The public authorities may request
additional information if required to determine admissibility. Public authorities may
also require a valid passport and visa if required by national legislation.

3.10.1 Standard. In the seafarer's identity document, public authorities shall not
require more than the following information:

• family name

• given names

• gender

• date and place of birth

• nationality

• physical characteristics

• photograph (authenticated)

• signature

• date of expiry (if any)

• issuing public authority

3.10.2 Standard. When it is necessary for a seafarer to enter or leave a country as a

passenger by any means of transportation for the purpose of:

(a) joining his/her ship or transferring to another ship;

(b) passing in transit to join his/her ship in another country, or for

repatriation, or for any other purpose approved by the authorities of the
country concerned,

public authorities shall accept from that seafarer in place of a passport the valid
seafarer's identity document, when this document guarantees the readmission of the
bearer to the country which issued the document.

In situations where a seafarer is travelling as a passenger en route to join another

ship or ending a contract and repatriating, the seafarer's identity document shall be
accepted by public authorities for the purposes of travel and re-admission to the
country of issuance of the seafarer identity document, where permissible under the
national legislation of the State in which the seafarer is located. This does not preclude
the need for a passport and visa, where it is required by national legislation.

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3.10.3 Recommended Practice. Public authorities should not normally require

presentation of individual identity documents or of information supplementing the
seafarer's identity document in respect of members of the crew other than that given in
the Crew List.

On many vessels, crew members' travel documents are retained by the master or any
other duly authorized ship officer in a secure location. There are several reasons for
this practice, including the prevention of crew from deserting while on shore leave.
As a result, crew often only have access to their documents while in the presence of
the master of the vessel, while in some instances the crew may need their documents
for identification purposes when on shore leave. In such cases, a supplemental
Identity Card issued with the seafarer's identity document may be issued and
maintained in the seafarer's possession.

B. Measures to facilitate clearance of passengers, crew and baggage

3.11 Recommended Practice. Public authorities should, with the cooperation of

shipowners and port authorities and/or port administrations, take appropriate measures
to the end that satisfactory port traffic flow arrangements may be provided so that
passengers, crew and baggage can be cleared rapidly, provide adequate personnel, and
ensure that adequate installations are provided, particular attention being paid to
baggage loading, unloading and conveyance arrangements (including the use of
mechanized systems) and to points where passenger delays are frequently found to
occur. Arrangements should be made, when necessary, for passage under shelter
between the ship and the point where the passenger and crew check is to be made.
Such arrangements and installations should be flexible and capable of expansion to
meet increased security measures during higher security levels.

Public authorities, shipowners and port authorities should keep in mind the security
levels as stipulated in the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code
(ISPS Code).

3.11.1 Recommended Practice. Public authorities should:

(a) in cooperation with shipowners and port authorities, introduce suitable

arrangements, such as:

(i) an individual and continuous method of processing

passengers and baggage;

(ii) a system which would permit passengers readily to identify

and obtain their checked baggage as soon as it is placed in an
area where it may be claimed; and

(iii) ensuring that facilities and services are available to meet the
needs of elderly and disabled passengers;

(b) ensure that port authorities take all necessary measures so that:

(i) easy and speedy access for passengers and their baggage, to
and from local transport, is provided; and

(ii) if crews are required to report to premises for governmental

purposes, those premises should be readily accessible, and as
close to one another as practicable.

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3.11.2 Recommended Practice. Public authorities should consider, as a means of

ensuring prompt clearance, the introduction of the dual-channel system7 for the
clearance of passengers, and their baggage and private road vehicles.

Where operationally feasible, public authorities should consider implementing a

dual-channel system in connection with the clearance of passengers and their
baggage. This system can facilitate the flow of passenger traffic at international
seaports without reducing the effectiveness of customs control. Each channel should
be clearly and distinctively marked so that the choice between them can easily be
understood by passengers.

3.12 Standard. Public authorities shall require that shipowners ensure that ship's
personnel take all appropriate measures which will help expedite arrival procedures for
passengers and crew. These measures may include:

(a) furnishing public authorities concerned with an advance message

giving the best estimated time of arrival, followed by information as to
any change in time, and stating the itinerary of the voyage where this
may affect inspection requirements;

(b) having ship's documents ready for prompt review;

(c) providing for ladders or other means of boarding to be rigged while the
ship is en route to berth or anchorage; and

(d) providing for prompt, orderly assembling and presentation of persons

on board, with necessary documents, for inspection, with attention to
arrangements for relieving crew members for this purpose from
essential duties in engine-rooms and elsewhere.
3.13 Recommended Practice. The practice of entering names on passenger and
crew documents should be to put the family name or names first. Where both paternal
and maternal family names are used, the paternal family name should be placed first.
Where for married women both the husband's and wife's paternal family names are
used, the husband's paternal family name should be placed first.

By providing a consistent format for name indexing, passenger and crew processing
can be facilitated. Placing the family name first, and, where multiple names are used,
the paternal family name first, makes it easy for the inspecting authority to locate
persons on passenger or crew lists.

3.14 Standard. Public authorities shall, without unreasonable delay, accept persons
present on board a ship for examination as to their admissibility into the State.

Public authorities shall process persons for examination as to their admissibility in a

manner which facilitates the timely disembarkation of such persons. Such
examination may take place on board a ship or in a designated facility ashore.

7 Reference is made to Recommended Practice 6 of Specific Annex J, Chapter 1, of the Revised Kyoto
Convention (1999) and its Guidelines.

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3.15 Recommended Practice. Public authorities should not impose unreasonable or

disproportionate fines upon shipowners, in the event that any control document in
possession of a passenger is found by public authorities to be inadequate, or if, for that
reason, the passenger is found to be inadmissible to the State.

For the very reason that in general a shipowner or the crew will not be able to perform
checks on the validity and authenticity of a travel document, it would be unreasonable
to impose fines or penalties for such an occurrence. On the other hand, it can be
expected that the shipowner or the crew on its ship are able to assess the normal
requirements for the entry in the country of destination, such as a valid passport and
a valid visa.

3.15.1 Standard. Public authorities shall encourage shipowners to take precautions at

the point of embarkation with a view to ensuring that passengers are in possession of
any control documents prescribed by the receiving or transit States.

To avoid a situation whereby a passenger is not admissible to a State due to

incomplete documentation, shipowners should not accept passengers who do not
have the proper documentation or authorization to enter the onward State under that
State's national legislation.

3.15.2 Standard. When a person is found to be inadmissible and is removed from the
territory of the State, the shipowner shall not be precluded from recovering, from such
a person, any costs arising from his/her inadmissibility.

3.15.3 Recommended Practice. For use at marine terminals and on board ships in
order to facilitate and expedite international maritime traffic, public authorities should
implement or, where the matter does not come within their jurisdiction, recommend
responsible parties in their country to implement standardized international signs and
symbols developed or accepted by the Organization in cooperation with other
appropriate international organizations and which, to the greatest extent practicable,
are common to all modes of transport.

C. Special facilities for marine transport of elderly and disabled passengers

3.16 Recommended Practice. Measures should be taken to ensure that all necessary
information on transport and safety is readily available for passengers who have
impaired hearing or vision.

3.17 Recommended Practice. For elderly and disabled passengers being set down
or picked up at a terminal building, reserved points should be located as close as
possible to main entrances. These should be clearly marked with appropriate signs.
Access routes should be free of obstacles.

3.18 Recommended Practice. Where access to public services is limited, every effort
should be made to provide accessible and reasonably priced public transportation
services by adapting current and planned services or by providing special
arrangements for passengers who have impaired mobility.

3.19 Recommended Practice. Provisions of suitable facilities should be made in

terminals and on ships, as appropriate, to allow safe embarkation and disembarkation
for elderly and disabled passengers.

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D. Facilitation for ships engaged on cruises and for cruise passengers

3.20 Standard. Public authorities shall authorize granting of pratique by electronic

means to a cruise ship when, on the basis of information received from it prior to its
arrival, the health authority for the intended port of arrival is of the opinion that its arrival
will not result in the introduction or spread of a quarantinable disease.

Public authorities shall notify a cruise ship by electronic means that health authorities
do not anticipate the need for quarantine of the vessel at the time of arrival.

This standard is not meant to preclude the use of other appropriate means of
communication in case electronic means are unavailable.

3.21 Recommended Practice. For cruise ships, the General Declaration, the
Passenger List and the Crew List should be required only at the first port of arrival and
final port of departure in a country, provided that there has been no change in the
circumstances of the voyage.

3.22 Standard. For cruise ships, the Ship's Stores Declaration and the Crew's Effects
Declaration shall be required only at the first port of arrival in a country.

To avoid unnecessary delays in subsequent ports of call in the same country, the
General Declaration, the Passenger List, the Crew List, the Ship's Stores Declaration
and the Crew's Effects Declaration shall not be required by the public authorities when
the information is already provided for in that country and the same voyage.

3.23 Standard. Passports or other official documents of identity shall at all times
remain in the possession of cruise passengers.

Cruise passengers are responsible for safeguarding their travel documents.

The responsibility for safeguarding the documents should not lie with the master of
the vessel.

3.24 Recommended Practice. If a cruise ship stays at any port within the Contracting
Government's territory for less than 72 hours, it should not be necessary for cruise
passengers to have visas, except in special circumstances determined by the public
authorities concerned.

It is the intention of this Recommended Practice that each Contracting Government

may issue to such passengers, or accept from them upon arrival, some form indicating
that they have permission to enter the territory.

Subject to the national legislation of the State where the passenger is located, public
authorities may choose not to require a cruise passenger to possess a visa at ports
of call where the stay is for less than 72 hours within the territory of the Contracting
Government.

3.25 Standard. Cruise passengers shall not be unduly delayed by the control
measures exercised by public authorities.

Depending on the schedule of the cruise ship, public authorities shall ensure that
clearance of passengers begins as soon as practicable. Public authorities should,
where appropriate, coordinate their control activities and perform them at the same
time.

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3.26 Standard. In general, except for security purposes and for the purposes of
establishing identity and admissibility, cruise passengers shall not be subject to
personal examination by public authorities responsible for immigration control.

Normally, immigration controls for cruise passengers can be performed on the basis
of the information included in the Passenger List, provided that the information about
the identity of the passengers is included in the Passenger List. Immigration controls
for cruise passengers in the presence of the passenger should be performed as an
exception.

3.27 Standard. If a cruise ship calls consecutively at more than one port in the same
country, passengers shall, in general, be examined by public authorities at the first port
of arrival and at the final port of departure only.

3.28 Recommended Practice. To facilitate their prompt disembarkation, the inward

control of passengers on a cruise ship, where practicable, should be carried out on
board before arrival at the place of disembarkation.

Where possible, public authorities of the receiving State should meet the arriving ship
either prior to departure to the port of destination or en route to the port of destination
and begin the clearance of passengers prior to arrival.

3.29 Recommended Practice. Cruise passengers who disembark at one port and
rejoin the same ship at another port in the same country should enjoy the same facilities
as passengers who disembark and rejoin a cruise ship at the same port.

Without prejudice to national legislation, cruise passengers who disembark at one

port and rejoin the same ship at another port in the same country should not lose their
status as cruise passengers.
3.30 Recommended Practice. The Maritime Declaration of Health should be the only
health control necessary for cruise passengers.
Where no special health measures, such as those mentioned in Recommended
Practice 3.8 for example, are necessary, formalities for health control should be
limited as much as possible. When a complete waiver of health formalities is not
possible, these formalities should be limited to the use of the Maritime Declaration of
Health. This declaration is one of the documents provided for in Standard 2.1.
3.31 Standard. Duty-free ship's stores shall be allowed aboard ship for cruise
passengers during the ship's stay in port.
3.32 Standard. Cruise passengers shall not normally be required to provide a written
declaration for their personal effects. However, in the case of articles which involve a
high amount of customs duties and other taxes and charges, a written declaration and
a security may be required.
Normally, personal effects of cruise passengers can be declared to customs by means
of an oral declaration. It is also possible that a cruise terminal is equipped with the
dual-channel system as mentioned in Recommended Practice 3.11.2.
Personal effects of passengers are in most countries relieved from the payment of
duties and taxes. For high dutiable goods, such as alcohol and tobacco, relief will be
allowed to a certain limit. For additional amounts many countries will allow for a
simplified procedure instead of a normal declaration.8

8 Reference is made to Specific Annex J, Chapter 1, of the Revised Kyoto Convention.

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3.33 Recommended Practice. Cruise passengers should not be subject to any

currency control.

3.34 Standard. Embarkation/disembarkation cards shall not be necessary for cruise

passengers.

3.35 Not in use.

E. Special measures of facilitation for passengers in transit

3.36 Standard. A passenger in transit who remains on board the ship on which he or
she arrived and departs with it shall not normally be subjected to routine control by
public authorities except in extraordinary circumstances determined by the public
authorities concerned.

Passengers in transit who will not disembark from the ship during the stay in the port
will normally not have any contact with the country of transit and its people. Any
formalities by public authorities, apart from health and security related concerns, could
be considered as unnecessary and superfluous.

3.37 Recommended Practice. A passenger in transit should be allowed to retain

his/her passport or other identity document.

A passenger in transit should be allowed the same consideration for document control
as passengers who are not in transit, and is still subject to inspection by public
authorities, where required by national legislation.

3.38 Recommended Practice. A passenger in transit who remains on board the ship
on which he or she arrived and departs with it should not be required to complete a
disembarkation/embarkation card.

A passenger in transit should not be required to complete the

disembarkation/embarkation card, provided that he or she remains aboard the ship
and is duly registered in the passenger list.

3.39 Recommended Practice. A passenger in transit who is continuing his/her

journey from the same port in the same ship should normally be granted temporary
permission to go ashore during the ship's stay in port if he/she so wishes subject to the
public authorities' admissibility and visa requirements.

A passenger who is continuing on board the ship between ports, regardless of being
a passenger in transit, should be granted temporary permission to disembark at the
ports of call within his or her itinerary as long as the passenger possesses the correct
travel documents as required by national legislation.

3.40 Recommended Practice. A passenger in transit who is continuing his/her

journey from the same port in the same ship should not be required to have a visa,
except in special circumstances determined by the public authorities concerned.

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3.41 Recommended Practice. A passenger in transit who is continuing his/her

journey from the same port in the same ship should not normally be required to give a
written Customs Declaration.

Passengers in transit do not normally import goods or leave goods behind in the
country of transit. For that reason, a written customs declaration would not add any
value to the normal customs control. Where necessary, customs could ask the
passenger if he or she has any goods in addition to the amounts and values above
the allowed relief thresholds. For these goods separate formalities could be created.
These formalities should be as simple as possible.

3.42 Recommended Practice. A passenger in transit who leaves the ship at one port
and embarks in the same ship at a different port in the same country should enjoy the
same facilities as a passenger who arrives and departs in the same ship at the same
port.
This Recommended Practice is aimed at passengers who travel from the port of
arrival to the port of departure by other means of transport in the same country. For
example, passengers could be transported by bus or coach for sightseeing in the
country of arrival. The formalities for these passengers should not be more
complicated than for passengers who arrive and depart from the same port in that
country and have similar excursions.

F. Measures of facilitation for ships engaged in scientific services

3.43 Recommended Practice. A ship engaged in scientific services carries

personnel who are necessarily engaged on the ship for such scientific purposes of the
voyage. If so identified, such personnel should be granted facilities at least as
favourable as those granted to the crew members of that ship.

G. Further measures of facilitation for foreigners belonging to the crews of ships

engaged in international voyages – shore leave

3.44 Standard. Crew members shall be allowed ashore by the public authorities
while the ship on which they arrive is in port, provided that the formalities on arrival of
the ship have been fulfilled and the public authorities have no reason to refuse
permission to come ashore for reasons of public health, public safety or public order.
Shore leave shall be allowed in a manner which excludes discrimination such as on the
grounds of nationality, race, colour, sex, religion, political opinion or social origin and
irrespective of the flag State of the ship on which they are employed, engaged or work.

Subject to the national legislation of the State where the crew member is located,
public authorities may permit a crew member to go ashore as long as the ship by
which the crew member arrived is still in port. This does not preclude the shipowner
from being responsible for the reporting of any crew member that has deserted after
being granted temporary landing privileges. A crew member who has been granted
temporary landing privileges is still under the shipowner's responsibility.

3.44bis Standard. In any case where permission for shore leave has been refused, the
relevant public authorities shall communicate their reasons for shore leave denial to the
seafarer concerned and the master. If requested by the seafarer concerned or the
master, such reasons shall be provided in writing.

3.45 Standard. Crew members shall not be required to hold a visa for the purpose of
shore leave.

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3.46 Recommended Practice. Crew members, before going on or returning from

shore leave, should not normally be subjected to personal checks.

3.47 Standard. Crew members shall not be required to have a special permit,
e.g. a shore leave pass, for the purpose of shore leave.

3.48 Recommended Practice. If crew members are required to carry documents of

identity with them when they are on shore leave, these documents should be limited to
those mentioned in Standard 3.10.

Standards 3.45 and 3.47 and Recommended Practices 3.46 and 3.48 seek to enable
crew members to take shore leave with a minimum of formalities. The requirement to
carry only a valid seafarer's identity document or a passport should be sufficient for
the purpose of shore leave.

3.49 Recommended Practice. Public authorities should provide a system of

pre-arrival clearance to allow the crew of ships which call regularly at their ports to
obtain advance approval for temporary shore leave. Where a ship has no adverse
immigration record and is locally represented by a shipowner or a reputable agent of
the shipowner, the public authorities should normally, after satisfactory consideration
of such pre-arrival particulars as they may require, permit the ship to proceed directly
to its berth and be subject to no further routine immigration formalities, unless
otherwise required by the public authorities.

Section 4
Stowaways

A. General principles

4.1 Standard. The provisions in this section shall be applied in accordance with
international protection principles as set out in international instruments, such as the
UN Convention relating to the Status of Refugees of 28 July 1951 and the UN Protocol
relating to the Status of Refugees of 31 January 1967, and relevant national legislation.9

The standards and recommended practices in this section shall be implemented

according to international principles on the protection of human rights as stated in the
different international conventions.

According to the 1951 UN Convention and the 1967 UN Protocol relating to the Status
of Refugees, a Contracting State shall not expel or return ("refouler") a refugee in any
manner whatsoever to the frontiers of territories where his or her life or freedom is
being threatened on account of his or her race, religion, nationality, membership of a
particular social group or political opinion (article 33.1). The principle of
non-refoulement does not only forbid the expulsion of refugees to their country of
origin but to any country in which they might be subject to persecution.
Also relevant are articles 6 and 7 of the 1966 International Covenant on Civil and
Political Rights. Another international convention on human rights which may be
relevant in stowaway cases is the United Nations Convention against Torture and
Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment of 1984. According to
the Convention, no State may expel, return or extradite a person to another State
where there are substantial grounds for believing that he or she will be in danger of
being subjected to torture.

9 In addition, public authorities may wish to consider the non-binding conclusion of the UNHCR Executive
Committee on Stowaway Asylum-Seekers (1988, No. 53 (XXXIX)).

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The regulations in section 4 regarding stowaways are drawn up in such a manner that
they allow Contracting Governments some flexibility as to how the standards and
recommended practices in the section should be implemented. The Facilitation
Convention does to a great extent allow Contracting Governments freedom of
implementation. Contracting Governments are obliged to exercise this flexibility when
necessary, in order to make sure that the principles of international human rights
conventions are not violated.

Standard 4.1 also implies that the Facilitation Convention's regulations must give way
if, contrary to all expectations, a situation arises where, despite the flexibility of the
regulations, the wording is not compatible with the international protection principles
as set out in international conventions.

4.2 Standard. Public authorities, port authorities, shipowners and masters shall
cooperate to the fullest extent possible in order to prevent stowaway incidents and to
resolve stowaway cases expeditiously and secure that an early return or repatriation of
the stowaway will take place. All appropriate measures shall be taken in order to avoid
situations where stowaways must stay on board ships for an unreasonable amount of
time.

Standard 4.2 is the core provision of section 4 regarding stowaways. It obliges all
parties involved to cooperate in order to prevent persons from stowing away on board
ships and, where stowaway cases do occur, to resolve them. The shared
responsibility for all the parties involved continues until the stowaway is returned or
repatriated, which should be undertaken as quickly as possible

All provisions in section 4 should be applied in the light of the general obligation to
cooperate which follows from Standard 4.2.

B. Preventive measures

4.3 Ship/Port preventive measures

4.3.1 Port/terminal authorities

4.3.1.1 Standard. Contracting Governments shall ensure that the necessary

infrastructure, and operational and security arrangements for the purpose of preventing
persons attempting to stowaway on board ships from gaining access to port
installations and to ships, are established in all their ports, taking into consideration
when developing these arrangements the size of the port and what type of cargo is
shipped from the port. This should be done in close cooperation with relevant public
authorities, shipowners and shore-side entities, with the aim of preventing stowaway
occurrences in the individual port.

This standard sets out obligations for port States, in cooperation with the users of the
port (ships, cargo handlers, port authorities, etc.), to establish the necessary
arrangements to prevent persons attempting to stow away on board ships. When
adopting these measures, the risk of persons stowing away from the individual port
should be considered, taking into consideration amongst other things the size of the
individual port and the types of cargo that are handled in the port. When adopting
these measures, modern technology and risk management should be used
(see Standard 1.11 and Recommended Practice 1.3).

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Guidance concerning what could be included in "necessary infrastructure, and

operational and security arrangements" can be sought in the identical IMO resolutions
FAL.13(42) and MSC.448(99) on Revised guidelines on the prevention of access by
stowaways and the allocation of responsibilities to seek the successful resolution of
stowaway cases.

Relevant findings and observations may also be found in document

FAL 42/10/1,10 incorporating the conclusions and recommendations agreed by the
regional seminars on stowaways held in Durban and in Abidjan in 2014, and the
seminar in Cameroon in 2018.

4.3.1.2 Recommended Practice. Operational arrangements and/or port facility security

plans should at least be equivalent to those contained in the relevant text of
section B/16 of the ISPS Code.

Operational arrangements and/or security plans should preferably be drawn up in

cooperation with all parties involved, including public authorities, shipowners and
shoreside entities.

A Port Facility Security Assessment, as described in part B/15 of the International

Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code), should be used to identify and
evaluate all possible threats and weaknesses of the port/terminal including but not
limited to unauthorized access or use of the facility such as the presence of
(attempted) stowaways.

According to the ISPS Code, a port facility security plan shall thus be developed and
maintained for each port facility, adequate for the ship/port interface. The plan shall
make provisions for the three security levels, as defined in the Code. In addition, the
plan should, as a minimum:

.1 detail the security organization of the port facility;

.2 detail the organization's links with other relevant authorities and the
necessary communication systems to allow the effective continuous
operation of the organization and its links with others, including ships in port;

.3 detail the basic security level 1 measures, both operational and physical, that
will be in place;

.4 detail the additional security measures that will allow the port facility to
progress without delay to security level 2 and, where necessary, to security
level 3;

.5 provide for regular review, or audit, of the plan and for its amendments in
response to experience or changing circumstances; and

.6 detail reporting procedures to the appropriate Contracting Government's

contact points.

10 http://www.imo.org/en/OurWork/Facilitation/Stowaways/Pages/Default.aspx

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4.3.2 Shipowner/Master

4.3.2.1 Standard. Contracting Governments shall require that shipowners and

masters, as well as other responsible persons, have security arrangements in place
which, as far as practicable, will prevent intending stowaways from getting aboard the
ship, and, if this fails, as far as practicable, will detect them before the ship leaves port.

Shipowners and masters as well as other responsible persons should have specific
security arrangements preventing stowaways from getting aboard their ships. These
security arrangements may be part of the ship security plan under the ISPS Code and
should at least be equivalent to those contained in the relevant text of paragraph B/9
of the ISPS Code. See Recommended Practice 4.3.2.2.

Relevant guidance or observations may also be found in IMO resolutions FAL.13(42)

and MSC.448(99), and in documents FAL 39/6 and FAL 39/6/1, whose full references
are given in the explanatory text to Standard 4.3.1.1.
4.3.2.2 Recommended Practice. When calling at ports and during stay in ports, where
there is risk of stowaway embarkation, operational arrangements and/or ship security
plans should at least be equivalent to those contained in the relevant text of paragraph
B/9 of the ISPS Code.

A Ship Security Assessment should consider all possible threats, including

unauthorized access or use, such as the presence of stowaways.

The Ship Security Plan should inter alia establish the security measures covering all
means of access to the ship, and for each of these identify the appropriate locations
where access restrictions or prohibitions should be applied. It should also establish
the means of identification required to allow access to the ship and for individuals to
remain on the ship without challenge. The Ship Security Plan should also establish
the frequency of application of any access controls. Paragraph B/9 provides further
details regarding the application of these measures for each security level.

Relevant guidance regarding stowaways may also be found in IMO resolutions

FAL.13(42) and MSC.448(99), and in document FAL 42/10/1,11 whose full references
are given in the explanatory text to Standard 4.3.1.1.

4.3.2.3 Standard. Contracting Governments shall require that ships entitled to fly their
flag, except passenger ships, when departing from a port, where there is risk of
stowaway embarkation, have undergone a thorough search in accordance with a
specific plan or schedule, and with priorities given to places where stowaways might
hide taking into account the specific ship type and its operations. Search methods,
which are likely to harm secreted stowaways, shall not be used.

When a thorough search for stowaways on a ship is performed, the conduct of the
search should be in compliance with existing IMO instruments such as the ISPS or
ISM Codes. The health of the possible stowaway shall always be taken into account
in determining the methodology of the search.

Relevant guidance or observations may also be found in IMO resolutions FAL.13(42)

and MSC.448(99), and in document FAL 42/10/1,12 whose full references are given
in the explanatory text to Standard 4.3.1.1.

11 http://www.imo.org/en/OurWork/Facilitation/Stowaways/Pages/Default.aspx
12 http://www.imo.org/en/OurWork/Facilitation/Stowaways/Pages/Default.aspx

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4.3.2.4 Standard. Contracting Governments shall require that fumigation or sealing of

ships entitled to fly their flag may not be carried out until a search which is as thorough
as practicable of the areas to be fumigated or sealed has taken place in order to ensure
that no stowaways are present in those areas.

The crew should be satisfied that no stowaways are in areas of the ship that will be
sealed or fumigated, to avoid the possibility that the stowaway will suffer physical
injuries.

Relevant guidance or observations may also be found in IMO resolutions FAL.13(42)

and MSC.448(99), and in document FAL 42/10/1,13 whose full references are given
in the explanatory text to Standard 4.3.1.1.

4.3.3 National Sanctions

4.3.3.1 Standard. Where appropriate, Contracting Governments shall incorporate into

their national legislation, legal grounds to allow prosecution of stowaways, attempted
stowaways, any individual or company aiding a stowaway or an attempted stowaway
with the intention to facilitate access to the port area, any ship, cargo or freight
containers.

The provision leaves it to the individual Contracting Government to decide how

stowaways, attempted stowaways and persons aiding stowaways are to be
prosecuted. Generally, it would not be considered appropriate to prosecute
stowaways who, in the opinion of the authorities, have a well-founded fear of being
prosecuted for reasons of race, religion or political opinion.

C. Treatment of the stowaway while on board

4.4 General principles – humane treatment

4.4.1 Standard. Stowaway incidents shall be dealt with consistent with humanitarian
principles, including those mentioned in Standard 4.1. Due consideration must always
be given to the operational safety of the ship and the safety and well-being of the
stowaway.

When stowaways are discovered on board a ship, the crew shall treat the stowaway
respectfully and according to international humanitarian rules and principles. Although
this is the basic principle, the shipmaster and the crew members shall also take into
consideration the safety of the ship, its crew and, where possible, the cargo.

4.4.2 Standard. Contracting Governments shall require that masters operating ships
entitled to fly their flag, take appropriate measures to ensure the security, general
health, welfare and safety of the stowaway while he/she is on board, including providing
him/her with adequate provisioning, accommodation, proper medical attention and
sanitary facilities.

Contracting Governments may, without compromising the security of the crew and
ship, include in the security arrangements mentioned in Standard 4.3.2.1 the
requirements included in this Standard 4.4.2 for the protection of stowaways on board
the ship.

13 http://www.imo.org/en/OurWork/Facilitation/Stowaways/Pages/Default.aspx

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4.5 Work on board

4.5.1 Standard. Stowaways shall not be permitted to work on board the ship, except
in emergency situations or in relation to the stowaway's accommodation and
provisioning on board.

The Contracting Government shall ensure that stowaways are not permitted to work
on board ship except in the situations mentioned in the standard. Standard 4.5.1
generally precludes that stowaways help out on board the ship if they so volunteer.

4.6 Questioning and notification by the master

4.6.1 Standard. Contracting Governments shall require masters to take practicable

steps to establish the identity, including nationality/citizenship of the stowaway and the
port of embarkation of the stowaway, and to notify the existence of the stowaway along
with relevant details to the public authorities of the first planned port of call. This
information shall also be provided to the shipowner, public authorities at the port of
embarkation, the flag State and, if necessary, subsequent ports of call.

Establishing the identity of stowaways is ultimately the responsibility of public

authorities. However, masters should make every effort to get as much information
as possible on the identity of the stowaway, as they are generally the first to make
contact with the stowaway. By establishing the identity and nationality of the stowaway
at an early stage, and by notifying as soon as possible the public authorities in the
first planned port of call, these authorities will be able to prepare for the arrival of the
stowaway. In gathering information, the master should use the form as specified in
appendix 2 of the Convention, referenced in Recommended Practice 4.6.2.
The master should attempt to gather as much information as possible about the
identity and nationality of the stowaway and provide this information to the authorities
mentioned in the present Standard.

4.6.2 Recommended Practice. When gathering relevant details for notification, the
master should use the form as specified in appendix 3.

By using the form specified in appendix 2 of the annex to the FAL Convention, the
work of the shipmaster will be simplified. The form contains details on the ship, the
personal details of the stowaway and other details such as the method of boarding,
an inventory of the stowaway's possessions and a statement (in free text) from the
stowaway.

The document should be transmitted to those parties identified in Standard 4.6.1.

4.6.3 Standard. Contracting Governments shall instruct masters operating ships

entitled to fly their flag that when a stowaway declares himself/herself to be a refugee,
this information shall be treated as confidential to the extent necessary for the security
of the stowaway.

It is the responsibility of a Contracting Government to instruct the master to treat a

declaration by the stowaway that he or she is a refugee or that he or she intends to
seek asylum as confidential to the extent necessary for the security of the stowaway.

In particular, information regarding the declaration or intention of the stowaway shall

not be shared with public authorities of the stowaway's country of origin or of habitual
residence.

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4.7 Notification to the International Maritime Organization

4.7.1 Standard. Public authorities shall report all stowaway incidents of which they
become aware to the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization.

Public authorities of Contracting Governments shall report all stowaway incidents to

the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization on a bi-annual basis.
They should do so in an agreed format for this purpose, containing information on:

• name of ship

• type

• flag

• gross tonnage

• IMO number

• time and place of discovery

• time and place of embarkation (if possible)

• time and place of disembarkation

• time and place of attempted disembarkations

• nationality of stowaways (if possible)

• documentation (yes or no)

• number of asylum seekers

D. Deviation from the planned route

4.8 Standard. Public authorities shall urge all shipowners operating ships entitled
to fly their flag to instruct their masters not to deviate from the planned voyage to seek
the disembarkation of stowaways discovered on board the ship after it has left the
territorial waters of the country where the stowaways embarked, unless:

• permission to disembark the stowaway has been granted by the public

authorities of the State to whose port the ship deviates; or

• repatriation has been arranged elsewhere with sufficient documentation

and permission for disembarkation; or

• there are extenuating safety, security, health or compassionate reasons; or

• attempts to disembark in other ports on the planned voyage have failed and
deviation is necessary in order to avoid that the stowaway remain on board
for a significant period of time.

Masters shall, in principle, not deviate from their planned voyage to seek
disembarkation of stowaways if these are discovered after the ship has left the
territorial waters of the State in which they embarked.

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Masters may decide otherwise in the cases mentioned in Standard 4.8.

The ship may deviate when permission has been granted by the public authorities of
the State to whose port the ship intends to deviate.

Deviation is furthermore permitted in cases of extenuating security circumstances or

for health or safety reasons, for example when the stowaway remaining on board
would result in grave security risks, or pose a severe threat to the health of the
stowaway and/or the crew or to the safe operation of the ship.
Also, deviation is permitted for compassionate reasons when the stowaway remaining
on board would result in a situation conflicting with humanitarian principles. The ship
should deviate if necessary to avoid acting in conflict with the international protection
principles set out in international instruments, such as the 1951 UN Convention
relating to the Status of Refugees and its provisions regarding treatment of refugees.

E. Disembarkation and return of a stowaway

4.9 The State of the first port of call according to the voyage plan
4.9.1 Standard. Public authorities in the country of the ship's first scheduled port of
call after discovery of a stowaway shall decide in accordance with national legislation
whether the stowaway is admissible to that State and shall do their utmost to cooperate
with the parties involved in resolving the issue.
The expeditious disembarkation of stowaways is a key factor in resolving stowaway
cases.

Public authorities shall decide whether the stowaway is admissible to that State.
They shall do so in accordance with relevant national legislation, such as their
legislation regarding admissibility to their territory and their legislation regarding
foreign nationals. If the stowaway asks for asylum, public authorities shall process
this application in accordance with both their national legislation and other relevant
international instruments, e.g. the 1951 Convention and the 1967 Protocol relating to
the Status of Refugees.
4.9.2 Standard. Public authorities in the country of the ship's first scheduled port of
call after discovery of a stowaway shall allow disembarkation of the stowaway, when
the stowaway is in possession of valid travel documents for return, and the public
authorities are satisfied that timely arrangements have been or will be made for
repatriation and all the requisites for transit fulfilled.
If the stowaway is in possession of valid travel documents, the authorities are
obligated to allow disembarkation when timely arrangements for return or repatriation
are made and all requisites for transit are fulfilled or the authorities are satisfied that
they will be made. Until the actual departure of the stowaway takes place, the
authorities may, in accordance with national legislation, decide to transfer the
stowaway from the ship into their custody or (other) reception location. Permission for
disembarkation of the stowaway does not affect the decision as to the admissibility of
the stowaway to the territory of the State concerned.

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4.9.3 Standard. Public authorities in the country of the ship's first scheduled port of
call after discovery of a stowaway shall allow disembarkation of the stowaway when the
public authorities are satisfied that they or the shipowner will obtain valid travel
documents, make timely arrangements for repatriation of the stowaway, and fulfil all the
requisites for transit. Public authorities shall, further, favourably consider allowing
disembarkation of the stowaway, when it is impracticable for the stowaways to remain
on the ship or other factors exist which would preclude removal on the ship. Such
factors may include, but are not limited to, when:

• a case is unresolved at the time of sailing of the ship; or

• the presence on board of the stowaway would endanger the safe operation
of the ship, the health of the crew or the stowaway.

If the stowaway is not in possession of valid travel documents, but public authorities
are satisfied that these documents will be obtained either by the shipowner or the
authorities themselves and all other formalities connected with the return or
repatriation of the stowaway will be dealt with, they shall allow disembarkation, where
it is appropriate and national legislation allows it. As mentioned in Standard 4.9.2,
public authorities may decide to transfer the stowaway into custody until the time of
the actual return of the stowaway. This decision does not affect the decision on the
admissibility of the stowaway.

When impracticalities or other factors stand in the way of removal on board the ship
on which the stowaway arrived, public authorities shall also favourably consider the
possibility of disembarking the stowaway. Standard 4.9.3 mentions two examples of
such situations. One is that disembarkation should be considered favourably if the
case is unresolved at the time of departure of the ship. This will generally be the case
when the stowaway applies for refugee status. The other example is when the
continued presence on board of the stowaway would be a source of danger.

A decision in these cases to allow disembarkation of the stowaway shall not affect the
responsibility of the shipowner to remove the stowaway from the territory of the
affected State. Neither will the allowing of disembarkation in these cases affect the
decision on admissibility of the stowaway to the territory of that State.

It should be noted that this standard is not limited to these two situations.

4.10 Subsequent ports of call

4.10.1 Standard. When disembarkation of a stowaway has failed in the first scheduled
port of call after discovery of the stowaway, public authorities of the subsequent ports
of call shall examine the stowaway as for disembarkation in accordance with Standards
4.9.1, 4.9.2 and 4.9.3.

If disembarkation at the first scheduled port of call fails, the obligation to cooperate
with the master regarding disembarkation of the stowaway passes to the authorities
in subsequent ports of call. If a previous port of call has not met the obligations stated
in the regulations, this does not limit the obligations of subsequent port authorities.

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4.11 State of Nationality or Right of Residence

4.11.1 Standard. Public authorities shall in accordance with international law accept
the return of stowaways with full nationality/citizenship status or accept the return of
stowaways who in accordance with their national legislation have a right of residence
in their State.

The regulations reflect the general principle of international law that every State is
obliged to receive its own citizens.

4.11.2 Standard. Public authorities shall, when possible, assist in determining the
identity and nationality/citizenship of stowaways claiming to be a national or having a
right of residence in their State. Where possible, the local embassy, consulate or other
diplomatic representation of the country of the stowaway's nationality will be required
to assist in verifying the stowaway's nationality and providing emergency travel
documentation.

When a stowaway does not possess valid identification documents, the shipowner or
his or her representatives should, in coordination with the authorities at the port of
call, contact as soon as possible the representation of the stowaway's country of
residence/nationality in order to obtain help to determine the stowaway's identity. The
authorities of the State where the stowaway claims to be a national or to have a right
of residence are obliged to assist where necessary.

If the stowaway declares himself or herself as an asylum seeker or refugee, contact

with the authorities of the stowaway's home country shall not be undertaken.

Relevant guidance may be found in IMO resolutions FAL.13(42) and MSC.448(99),

whose references are given in the explanatory text to Standard 4.3.1.1.

4.12 State of embarkation

4.12.1 Standard. When it has been established to their satisfaction that stowaways
have embarked a ship in a port in their State, public authorities shall accept for
examination such stowaways being returned from their point of disembarkation after
having been found inadmissible there. The public authorities of the State of
embarkation shall not return such stowaways to the country where they were earlier
found to be inadmissible.

Stowaways found to be inadmissible by the authorities in the ship's ports of call should
in principle be returned to the State in which they embarked. This may differ if it is
known that the stowaway is allowed to stay in other States, or if the stowaway
declares himself or herself as an asylum seeker or as having refugee status. The
State of embarkation, however, is obliged to accept for examination stowaways who
are being transported back to their territory, if it has been established in a satisfactory
way that the stowaway has embarked in a port in this State. After accepting the
stowaway for examination, the authorities of the State of embarkation shall not
transport the stowaway back to the country in which he or she was earlier found to be
inadmissible. They may, however, based on their national legislation, decide whether
the stowaway is permitted to stay on their territory or is to be repatriated elsewhere.

Relevant guidance may be found in IMO resolutions FAL.13(42) and MSC.448(99),

on Revised guidelines on the prevention of access by stowaways and the allocation
of responsibilities to seek the successful resolution of stowaway cases.

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4.12.2 Standard. When it has been established to their satisfaction that attempted
stowaways have embarked a ship in a port in their State, public authorities shall accept
disembarkation of attempted stowaways, and of stowaways found on board the ship
while it is still in the territorial waters or if applicable according to the national
legislation of that State in the area of immigration jurisdiction of that State. No penalty
or charge in respect of detention or removal costs shall be imposed on the shipowner.

If an attempted stowaway is discovered before the ship leaves the territorial waters,
public authorities in the port of embarkation shall allow the stowaway to disembark,
without any judicial or financial repercussions for the shipowner, when they are
satisfied that the stowaway embarked in a port on their territory. If a State exercises
immigration functions in a wider area than the territorial sea, it shall also allow
disembarkation if the ship has not left this zone. Reference is made to the United
Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, article 33, which allows coastal States to
exercise the controls necessary to prevent an infringement of its immigration laws and
regulations in the contiguous zone. This zone may extend up to 24 nautical miles from
the baselines from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured.

Relevant guidance may be found in IMO resolutions FAL.13(42) and MSC.448(99),

whose references are given in the explanatory text to Standard 4.3.1.1.

Regarding the difference between "stowaway" and "attempted stowaway", it may be

noted that the distinction has been made in the Convention's definition as in many
cases persons have been detected while the ship was still in port. The master in
several of those cases was not able to remove those persons from the ship.
Therefore, the term "attempted stowaway" was introduced so as to facilitate the
disembarkation of persons who had been detected while the ship was still in port.

4.12.3 Standard. When an attempted stowaway has not been disembarked at the port
of embarkation he/she is to be treated as a stowaway in accordance with the regulation
of this section.

If it has not been possible to disembark an attempted stowaway in the port of

embarkation, the rules and guidelines established in accordance with international
instruments must be applied and in no case should he or she be treated or considered
as a member of the crew.

Guidance may be found in IMO resolutions FAL.13(42) and MSC.448(99), whose

references are given in the explanatory text to Standard 4.3.1.1.

4.13 The flag State

4.13.1 Standard. The public authorities of the flag State of the ship shall assist and
cooperate with the master/shipowner or the appropriate public authority at ports of call
in:

• identifying the stowaway and determining his/her nationality;

• making representations to the relevant public authority to assist in the

removal of the stowaway from the ship at the first available opportunity;
and

• making arrangements for the removal or repatriation of the stowaway.

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For this purpose the same information that is sent to the authorities in the next port of
call should as well be copied to the flag State, so they can assist in the handling of
the case.

The flag State should provide the assistance required as a matter of priority to enable
the stowaways to be removed and repatriated as soon as possible. Clear guidelines
should be developed and published by the flag State regarding the procedures the
shipowner should follow in order to ensure the flag State's immediate assistance.
Relevant guidance may be found in the identical IMO resolutions FAL.13(42) and
MSC.448(99) on Revised guidelines on the prevention of access by stowaways and
the allocation of responsibilities to seek the successful resolution of stowaway cases.

4.14 Return of stowaways

4.14.1 Recommended Practice. When a stowaway has inadequate documents, public

authorities should, whenever practicable and to an extent compatible with national
legislation and security requirements, issue a covering letter with a photograph of the
stowaway and any other important information or alternatively, a suitable travel
document accepted by the public authorities involved. The covering letter, authorizing
the return of the stowaway either to his/her country of origin or to the point where the
stowaway commenced his/her journey, as appropriate, by any means of transportation
and specifying any other conditions imposed by the authorities, should be handed over
to the operator affecting the removal of the stowaway. This letter will include
information required by the authorities at transit points and/or the point of
disembarkation.

If a stowaway is not in possession of valid travel documents, public authorities should

issue a covering letter for the return of the stowaway. This practice is recommended
for the return of the stowaway on board the ship as well as for the return of the
stowaway by any other means. By issuing a covering letter, public authorities will
promulgate the information they have on the identity of the stowaway. Also, the
covering letter attests to the presence of the stowaway in a port of call, and to the
inadmissibility of the stowaway into the territory of the State that issued the covering
letter. The covering letter will provide authorities at transit points and/or authorities at
the point of disembarkation with the information they might need for transiting the
stowaway to his or her final destination or for accepting the disembarkation of the
stowaway for examination. For this purpose the covering letter may contain the
following information, which is not to be considered as exhaustive:

• name

• name of father

• gender

• age

• ethnic origin

• nationality

• any documents in the possession of the stowaway

• former documents

• country of origin

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• country of residence

• place and country of birth

• date of departure

• countries traversed
4.14.2 Recommended Practice. Public authorities in the State where the stowaway has
disembarked should contact the relevant public authorities at transit points during the
return of a stowaway, in order to inform them of the status of the stowaway. In addition
public authorities in countries of transit during the return of any stowaway should allow,
subject to normal visa requirements and national security concerns, the transit through
their ports and airports of stowaways travelling under the removal instructions or
directions of public authorities of the country of the port of disembarkation.

When returning the stowaway to the State of which he or she is a national, or to the
State of embarkation, or to a State where the stowaway is admissible, the public
authorities in the State where the stowaway has disembarked should, as far as
practicable, cooperate with the subsequent transit State(s). If all known information
on the stowaway to the transit State(s) is provided, the repatriation process would be
executed quickly, as this would enable the transit State(s) to make any necessary
preparations in advance that might be connected with the transit. Transit State(s)
should, in accordance with their national legislation, allow any stowaway returning
under the instruction of the State of disembarkation to transit through their ports or
airports.

4.14.3 Recommended Practice. When a port State has refused disembarkation of a

stowaway that State should, without undue delay, notify the flag State of the ship
carrying the stowaway of the reasons for refusing disembarkation.

4.15 Cost of return and maintenance of stowaways

4.15.1 Recommended Practice. The public authorities of the State where a stowaway
has been disembarked should generally inform the shipowner, on whose ship the
stowaway was found, as far as practicable, of the level of cost of detention and return
and any additional costs for the documentation of the stowaway, if the shipowner is to
cover these costs. In addition, public authorities should cooperate with the shipowner
to keep such costs to a minimum, as far as practicable and according to national
legislation, if they are to be covered by the shipowner.

It is up to Contracting Governments to establish rules on which types of costs are to

be refunded and for which period of time. However, the level of costs should be made
available to the shipowner or its agent or insurer as soon as possible. The insurer
would usually be represented by a P & I correspondent. Furthermore, the authorities
that allowed the stowaway to disembark should be aware of the possibilities of
minimizing such costs.
4.15.2 Recommended Practice. The period during which shipowners are held liable to
defray costs of maintenance of a stowaway by public authorities in the State where the
stowaway has been disembarked should be kept to a minimum.

The public authorities of the jurisdiction where the stowaway is kept should keep the
cost of maintenance to a minimum. There are different models in various jurisdictions.
In some, a time limit is set after which the shipowner is free from additional costs
arising from detention. In general, the shipowners do not have to pay detention costs
while the authorities are handling an application for asylum.

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4.15.3 Standard. Public authorities shall, according to national legislation, consider

mitigation of penalties against ships where the master of the ship has properly declared
the existence of a stowaway to the appropriate authorities in the port of arrival, and has
shown that all reasonable preventive measures had been taken to prevent stowaways
gaining access to the ship.

Some States have national legislation that prohibits the carrying of stowaways. If a
master or shipowner can show that reasonable preventive measures have been taken
to avoid stowaways, including application of measures in accordance with relevant
sections of part B of the ISPS Code, those States shall consider in their national
legislation the possibility of mitigation of penalties against the master or shipowner
and preferably the ability to drop the charges.

4.15.4 Recommended Practice. Public authorities should, according to national

legislation, consider mitigation of other charges that might otherwise be applicable,
when shipowners have cooperated with the control authorities to the satisfaction of
those authorities in measures designed to prevent the transportation of stowaways.

As in Standard 4.15.3, public authorities should consider the mitigation of any charges
under their national legislation that are applicable to shipowners where stowaways
are found on board their ships.

SECTION 5
ARRIVAL, STAY AND DEPARTURE OF CARGO AND OTHER ARTICLES

This section contains the provisions concerning the formalities required by public
authorities from the shipowner, his/her agent or the master of the ship.

The provisions in this section are related to the arrival and departure of cargo.
The public authorities in charge of cargo are primarily customs, as well as veterinary
and phytosanitary authorities. The explanation given in this section is therefore related
to these authorities, but does not exclude other relevant public authorities.

A. GENERAL

5.1 Recommended Practice. Public authorities should, with the cooperation of

shipowners and port authorities and port facilities and terminals, take appropriate
measures to ensure that port time may be kept to a minimum, should provide
satisfactory port traffic flow arrangements and should frequently review all procedures
in connection with the arrival and departure of ships, including arrangements for
embarkation and disembarkation, loading and unloading, servicing and the like and the
security measures associated therewith. They should also make arrangements whereby
cargo ships and their loads can be entered and cleared, in so far as may be practicable,
at the ship working area.

"Time is money" is a basic principle in today's trade, especially in the maritime

industry, and one that underpins the need to prevent delays. For the rapid movement
of cargo, many ports have introduced special areas for container ships, oil, ore,
chemicals and other bulk shipments. The separation of different kinds of cargo has
proven to be an effective method for enhancing the flow of goods through the port.
Minimum port time can also be achieved by good coordination between appropriate
trade partners and subsequent cooperation with public and port authorities on the
need for adequate port facilities. This will be based on the quantities of ships,
passengers and cargo. Public authorities have to provide the necessary numbers of
staff, efficient procedures and other facilities, including operating hours that reflect
the 24/7/365 nature of shipping and electronic systems, with the highest possible rate
of availability.

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At the same time reference is made to the International Ship and Port Facility Security
Code (ISPS Code), which contains detailed security-related requirements for
Governments, port authorities and shipping companies. The ISPS Code is a
comprehensive set of measures to enhance the security of ships, ports and port
facilities, including terminals. The Code is implemented through chapter XI-2 Special
measures to enhance maritime security in the International Convention for the Safety
of Life at Sea (SOLAS), 1974, as amended. The Code has two parts, one mandatory
and one recommendatory.

In essence, the Code takes the approach that ensuring the security of ships and port
facilities is a risk management activity and that, to determine what security measures
are appropriate, an assessment of the risks must be made in each particular case.

The purpose of the Code is to provide a standardized, consistent framework for

evaluating risk, enabling Governments to offset changes in threat with changes in
vulnerability for ships and port facilities through determining appropriate security
levels and corresponding security measures.

5.2 Recommended Practice. Public authorities should, with the cooperation of

shipowners, port authorities and port facilities and terminals, take appropriate
measures to the end that satisfactory port traffic flow arrangements are provided so
that handling and clearance procedures for cargo will be smooth and uncomplicated.
These arrangements should cover all phases from the time the ship arrives at the dock
for unloading and public authority clearance, and also free zones, storage facilities,
warehousing and onward movement of cargo if required. There should be convenient
and direct access between the free zone, storage facilities and cargo warehouse and
the public authority clearance area, which should be located close to the dock area,
with, whenever possible, easy access and transfer capabilities and infrastructure.

The cross-border traffic of goods will inevitably be subject to the intervention of public
authorities, such as customs. This intervention will hamper the logistical chain as a
matter of course. To reduce these obstacles to a minimum it is important that the
public and port authorities and industry establish a good relationship. The use of
information technology will assist the efficient flow of goods in the port area in
particular if supported by a single window involving all public authorities concerned.

The location of customs warehouses, temporary storage facilities for containers and
lanes for trailers to be parked should be in the direct vicinity of the place where the
ships are loaded or unloaded. Sufficient space should also be available for
trans-shipped cargo. Public authorities' clearance areas and facilities for the checking
of the cargo, including X-ray equipment, should be close to these locations.
The combined use of such facilities by the public authorities concerned should be
encouraged. This is to avoid the extensive relocation of cargo within the dock area
and the associated costs.

National maritime transport facilitation committees as provided for in Recommended

Practice 7.12 or similar local consultation bodies can play an important role in
achieving these objectives.

5.3 Recommended Practice. Public authorities should encourage owners and/or

operators of marine cargo terminals to equip them with storage facilities for special
cargo (e.g. valuable goods, perishable shipments, human remains, radioactive and
other dangerous goods, as well as live animals), as appropriate; those areas of marine
cargo terminals in which general and special cargo and postal items are stored prior to
shipment by sea or importation should implement access control measures at least
equivalent to those contained in the relevant text of paragraph B/16 of the ISPS Code.

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Because of its nature, special cargo often needs unusual and extraordinary treatment.
Different storage facilities, such as cold stores for perishable goods or stables or pens
for live animals, may be necessary to accommodate these goods. High security
storage facilities may be required for valuable goods, such as precious stones
(e.g. diamonds) and precious metals (e.g. gold). Port and public authorities, such as
customs, veterinary and phytosanitary authorities, should allow private companies to
establish such specialized storage facilities within the clearance area or other places
in the dock area. Port facilities, including terminals, should also be equipped with
secured, fenced areas and storage facilities to prevent the unlawful removal of cargo,
at the minimum in accordance with the measures set out in paragraph B/16 of the
ISPS Code regarding port facility security plans. The port facility security plan should,
inter alia, and for each security level, establish the security measures covering all
means of access to the port facility; identify the restricted areas within the port facility;
implement measures relating to cargo intended to prevent tampering and prevent
cargo not meant for carriage from being accepted and stored within the port facility;
and implement appropriate measures regarding the checking, notification and timing
of the delivery of ship's stores.

5.3bis Recommended Practice. Public authorities should require only a minimum of

data necessary for the identification of the cargo that is to be placed in storage prior to
release or re-export or importation, and should, whenever available, use the information
contained in the pre-arrival declaration for this purpose.

Where customs, in conformance with the WCO Safe Framework of Standards,

requires pre-arrival or, in the case of deep-sea containerized traffic, pre-loading
information for risk assessment purposes, that information can also be used as, or
referenced to form, the declaration for temporary storage. The same functionality can
also be arranged for the ship's (cargo) manifest for ports of call where no advance
cargo information is required for risk assessment purposes. In any event, the data
elements in the declaration for temporary storage should be kept to a minimum.

5.4 Standard. A Contracting Government which continues to require export, import

and trans-shipment licences or permits for certain types of goods shall establish simple
procedures whereby such licences or permits can be obtained and renewed rapidly.

Many countries require licences or permits for the importation and exportation of
certain goods from and to certain countries. Sometimes licences are also required for
trans-shipment. To simplify the procedures for obtaining such licences or permits,
public authorities shall make publicly available, for example by leaflets or the Internet,
in which cases licences or permits are required, together with information concerning
the name and address of the public authorities responsible for granting the licences
or permits. Application forms could also be made available on the Internet or by other
simple means. To avoid repeated requests, public authorities could consider granting
blanket licences or permits for more than one shipment for a certain period with regard
to successive consignments. However, it should be recalled that the obligation to
obtain licences and permits, where required, lies with either the party causing the
transportation and/or the shipper or consignee, not the carrier.

5.5 Recommended Practice. When the nature of a consignment could attract the
attention of different agencies authorized to carry out inspections, such as customs
and veterinary or sanitary controllers, Contracting Governments should authorize either
customs or one of the other agencies to carry out the required procedures or, where
that is not feasible, take all necessary steps to ensure that such inspections are carried
out simultaneously at one place and with a minimum of delay and whenever possible
carried out upon prior coordination with the party having custody of the consignment.

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The authorization to allow only one public authority to carry out the primary processing
of the received information means that the person in charge of the required procedure,
in the first instance, should only be directed to one public authority. All necessary
checks will be performed by that authority and other public authorities will only be
involved where, for example, specialized knowledge or equipment is required. In the
latter case the primary responsible public authority will coordinate the separate
checks and arrange that the checks be carried out simultaneously at the same place
to avoid the unnecessary movement of cargo from one place to another.

This Recommended Practice can be read in conjunction with the objectives of

Recommended Practice 1.3quin, the single window concept. This concept allows for
an efficient flow of information between public authorities and the trade involved.

To facilitate the inspection(s), the party having custody of the consignment should be
informed beforehand, unless security or other concerns dictate otherwise.

5.6 Recommended Practice. Public authorities should provide simplified

procedures for the prompt clearance of private gift packages and trade samples not
exceeding a certain value or quantity which should be set at as high a level as possible.

In many countries special arrangements have been made for private gifts or trade
samples, often based on international agreements, such as the provisions of the
Universal Postal Convention. Thresholds for value or quantities should be based on
national legislation and made public. Thresholds could also be based on a certain
amount, below which no duties or taxes will be collected.

B. Clearance of cargo

5.7 Standard. Public authorities shall, subject to compliance with any national
prohibitions or restrictions and any measures required for port security or the
prevention of trafficking of narcotics, grant priority clearance to live animals, perishable
goods and other consignments of an urgent nature.

The goods mentioned in this Standard have to be transported rapidly because of their
nature. A delay in the clearance procedure may harm the quality or the appearance
of the goods. The formalities connected to the movement of these goods have to be
kept to a minimum where possible. Many countries already have special procedures
in force for the expeditious clearance of such goods. Public authorities may need to
implement special or additional requirements or conditions to make rapid clearance
possible, such as timely presentation, preferably pre-arrival, of the required
documentation or a guarantee for the duties and taxes due. When similar goods are
dispatched on a regular basis, special clearance procedures could be authorized.

5.7.1 Recommended Practice. In order to protect the quality of goods awaiting

clearance, public authorities should, in collaboration with all the concerned parties, take
all measures to permit practical, safe and reliable storage of goods at the port.

This Recommended Practice should be read in connection with Recommended

Practice 5.3 where public authorities are invited to encourage the parties concerned
to establish specialized storage facilities that are necessary in relation to goods that
require special attention, inter alia to prevent the unlawful removal of cargo, at the
minimum in accordance with the measures set out in paragraph B/16 of the ISPS
Code regarding port facility security plans.

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5.8 Recommended Practice. Contracting Governments should facilitate the

temporary admission of specialized cargo-handling equipment arriving by ships and
used on shore at ports of call for loading, unloading and handling cargo.

Normally, all goods that are brought into the territory of a country are subject to
supervision, duties and taxes and sometimes import restrictions, until the goods are
cleared. However, the specialized cargo-handling equipment mentioned in this
Recommended Practice may only be landed for a short period in the port to unload
and load the cargo of the ship on which the equipment arrived. The availability of such
equipment on a ship may be necessary, based on the specific nature of the goods or
the fact that such equipment is not available in the port of call, e.g. in small ports.
To apply the normal rules on such equipment, which will be re-exported within a short
period, would not facilitate the fast movement of goods and would unduly prolong the
stay of the ship in the port.

Customs rules on the temporary admission of goods, including cargo-handling

equipment, can be found in the Revised Kyoto Convention (1999) and its Guidelines
on simplifying and harmonizing customs procedures and the Istanbul Convention on
Temporary Admission. In particular, the International Convention on Temporary
Admission (Istanbul, 1990) covers rules on temporary admission.

Temporary admission is defined as:

"the customs procedure under which certain goods (including means of transport) can
be brought into a customs territory conditionally relieved from payment of import
duties and taxes and without application of import prohibitions or restrictions of
economic character; such goods (including means of transport) must be imported for
a specific purpose and must be intended for re-exportation within a specific period
and without having undergone any change except normal depreciation due to the use
made of them".

Annex C of the Istanbul Convention covers temporary admission concerning means

of transport together with the equipment carried on board the means of transport,
including special equipment for the loading, unloading, handling and protection of
cargo. Annex C provides for the temporary admission of commercial means of
transport (including the special equipment mentioned above), without a customs
document or security for the period necessary to complete the transport operation.

5.9 Not in use.

5.10 Recommended Practice. Public authorities should provide procedures for the
clearance of cargo based on the relevant provisions of and associated guidelines to the
International Convention on the simplification and harmonization of customs
procedures – the revised Kyoto Convention.

The Revised Kyoto Convention (1999) and its Guidelines is widely regarded as the
blueprint for modern and efficient customs procedures in the twenty-first century for
all modes of transport. It contains provisions for harmonized customs procedures and
practices, including the importance of a risk-based approach, on which national
customs legislation should be based and is accompanied by guidelines for easy
implementation.

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5.10.1 Recommended Practice. Public authorities should introduce simplified

procedures for authorized persons allowing:

(a) release of the goods on the provision of the minimum information

necessary to identify the goods, to accurately identify and assess risk
as it relates to concerns such as health, safety and security, and permit
the subsequent completion of the final goods declaration;

(b) clearance of the goods at the declarant’s premises or another place

authorized by the relevant public authority; and

(c) submission of a single goods declaration for all imports or exports in a

given period where goods are imported or exported frequently by the
same person.

The simplified procedures proposed in this recommendation relate to

(customs) procedures subsequent to formalities connected with the arrival of
consignments in a port, which can be considered as a first phase. The
subsequent procedures relating to the onward movement of goods to their
(final) destination – for import or transit, for example – can be regarded as
the second phase. In many cases, the responsibility for the goods for such
subsequent procedures shifts to another party, e.g. a forwarding agent. The
implementation of the simplified procedures, suggested in this
Recommended Practice, is based on the Revised Kyoto Convention (1999)
on the harmonization and simplification of customs procedures and is
intended to facilitate rapid release or clearance. They are only offered to
authorized persons with a high-quality record of compliance with customs
rules and obligations and the relevant requirements of other public
authorities.

(a) The simplified procedure based on minimum information allows for

the release of the goods when all relevant information may not be
available immediately. While information on description, quantity,
value and origin are needed to identify the goods, data may be
temporarily lacking, e.g. on the transport arrangements in sufficient
detail to complete valuation. A supplementary declaration is then
necessary and this must be lodged within a prescribed time limit,
e.g. 24 hours, which should be specified in national legislation along
with the information essential for the initial declaration. It is also
possible that the initial declaration is completed and followed by a
periodic supplementary declaration mentioned under (c).

(b) The simplified procedure by which the goods are placed under a
certain (customs) procedure at the premises of the declarant can be
of great benefit for trade and will also help avoid congestion at ports.
Public authorities should be satisfied with the quality of the
declarant's compliance and recording systems before granting an
authorization for this procedure. The public authorities are notified
immediately when the goods arrive at the premises and can decide,
on the basis of risk management, whether they need to proceed to
physical examination at the declarant's premises. This procedure is
often combined with a periodic (supplementary) declaration.

(c) When public authorities base their controls on an incomplete

declaration or when local clearance at the premises of the declarant
has been allowed, it is often cumbersome to lodge a separate
supplementary declaration for each consignment. Suitably

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compliant declarants can be allowed to lodge a periodic declaration

which summarizes all initial declarations or all notifications. Such
procedures can be accompanied by the granting of arrangements
for payment of duties and taxes on the basis of self-assessment.

5.11 Standard. Public authorities shall limit physical interventions to the minimum
necessary to ensure compliance with the applicable law.

Industry demands fast and reliable procedures to be applied by the public authorities.
In addition, public authorities feel the pressure of reduced budgets and staff, which
makes it necessary to find more efficient working methods. These developments
require modern procedures and control techniques. Aside from the unacceptable
burden for trade, for public authorities it is impossible to control all consignments.
Therefore, modern control methods have to be developed to detect high-risk
consignments. Risk management as mentioned in Standard 1.11 has proven to be an
effective and efficient control method that makes it possible to limit the physical
controls to a minimum.

5.12 Recommended Practice. Public authorities should, on the basis of a valid

request, conduct physical examinations of cargo, where necessary, at the point where
it is loaded into its means of transport and while loading is in progress, either at the
dockside or, in the case of unitized cargo, at the place where the freight container is
packed and sealed.

The intervention of public authorities should be limited where possible and minimally
hamper the logistical process. However, physical examinations by public authorities,
based on risk assessment, are inevitable. To facilitate the flow of goods, physical
examinations, where required, should be carried out at the most efficient and
convenient moment. Physical examinations of cargo already loaded onto a means of
transport should be avoided where possible, and for containerized cargo are
impractical. They not only interrupt the flow of goods, but are also inefficient for the
public authorities. To maximize efficiency, export cargo could be examined at the
premises of the exporter or where the freight container is packed. To safeguard the
integrity of a containerized shipment, sealing of the transport unit should be done
immediately upon completion of the packing of the container by the party packing the
freight container. On import, an examination of the cargo, where required, can be
performed by using non-intrusive imaging or sensing equipment. When detailed
examinations are necessary on voluminous shipments, public authorities should
perform such examinations in special areas or buildings, so as to be able to make
quick progress and again to limit the intervention to a minimum.

5.13 Standard. Public authorities shall ensure that requirements for collection of
statistics do not significantly reduce the efficiency of maritime trade.
In many countries the collection of statistical information is linked to the customs
formalities. In determining their requirements, public authorities, in particular customs,
should take into account and include the requirements of the statistical authorities to
avoid a duplication of requirements. The use of information technology makes it
possible to collect efficiently the information required by public authorities. The single
window concept as mentioned in Recommended Practice 1.3quin simplifies the
collection and further distribution of information required by public authorities even
further.

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5.14 Recommended Practice. Public authorities should use systems for the
electronic exchange of information for the purposes of obtaining information in order
to accelerate and simplify storage, clearance and re-export processes.
This Recommended Practice elaborates on a theme of using information technology
mentioned in several provisions in section 1 and underpins the requirement that
by 8 April 2019, all required information shall be transmitted, received and processed
electronically.

5.14.1 Recommended Practice. Public authorities should quickly terminate the transit
procedure covering goods from another State awaiting loading.
To facilitate the international movement of cargo, the transit procedure covering cargo
arriving from another country pending loading on an outward-bound ship could be
terminated and cleared the moment the cargo is under customs supervision in the
port of loading and not be kept under the transit procedure until the cargo has left the
customs territory. However, in many countries the cargo has to be declared for
another procedure until loading. This procedure should be kept simple and could be
based on the information already available in the transit declaration, e.g. through a
reference to the transit declaration. Clearing the transit procedure is important for the
declarant because, in general cases, a guarantee at departure would have to be
provided which should be released again at the earliest moment possible.
C. Freight containers and pallets

5.15 Standard. Public authorities shall, in conformity with their respective

regulations, permit the temporary admission of freight containers, pallets and freight
container equipment and accessories that are affixed to the container or are being
transported separately without payment of customs duties and other taxes and charges
and shall facilitate their use in maritime traffic.
Section 5, part C of the annex to the FAL Convention deals with the temporary
admission of containers, pallets, freight container equipment and accessories that are
affixed to the container or are being transported separately. These instrumentalities
are used frequently in all modes of transport. Although these items are, in principle,
subject to the payment of duties and taxes in connection with their temporary
importation, in practice almost all of these items will leave the country of importation
rapidly. These items will not stay in the country of importation and will probably be
imported and re-exported in a number of countries on repeated occasions.
The imposition of duties and taxes is considered unnecessary and will also hamper
international trade due to additional procedures. This has been recognized for many
years and therefore international instruments for the reduction of procedures
connected with the temporary importation of these items have been developed, such
as the International Convention relating to Temporary Admission (Istanbul
Convention), which covers rules on temporary admission. (See explanatory note
under Recommended Practice 5.8 for definition.)

Annex B3 of the Istanbul Convention covers temporary admission of containers,

pallets, packings, samples and other goods (including container accessories and
equipment) imported in connection with a commercial operation. Annex B3 covers the
obligations and recommendations mentioned in the provisions from 5.14 up to and
including 5.18.

The 1972 Customs Convention on Containers specifically covers temporary

admission of freight containers and their equipment and accessories whether the
latter are affixed to the freight container or are transported separately. The provisions
of this Convention are generally aligned with those of the Istanbul Convention.

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It should be noted that both Conventions have been amended to require that
multimodal containers used for maritime traffic be marked in accordance with
international standard ISO 6346.14

5.16 Recommended Practice. Public authorities should provide in their regulations,

referred to in Standard 5.15, for the acceptance of a simple declaration to the effect that
temporarily imported freight containers, pallets and freight container equipment and
accessories will be re-exported within the time-limit set by the State concerned. Such
declaration may take the form of an oral declaration or any other act acceptable to the
authorities.

Annex B3 of the Istanbul Convention provides for temporary admission for

at least six months and for a simplified customs procedure, for example an oral
declaration, and a more simplified procedure, such as a general undertaking for
persons who use the temporary admission regularly.

The 1972 Customs Convention on Containers, while encompassing a shorter period

for temporary provision, also promotes usage of a simplified customs procedure for
declaring freight containers and their equipment and accessories and pallets for
temporary admission.

5.17 Standard. Public authorities shall permit freight containers, pallets and freight
container equipment and accessories entering the territory of a State under the
provisions of Standard 5.15 to depart the limits of the port of arrival for clearance of
imported cargo and/or loading of export cargo under simplified control procedures and
with a minimum of documentation.

This Standard clarifies that the temporary admission of freight containers and their
equipment and accessories and pallets includes the movement inland to the
consignee's premises for unpacking and to the shipper's or packer's premises for
packing, including affixing or de-mounting of accessories and equipment.
The container operator may be required to implement minimum monitoring measures
to ensure compliance with the conditions for the granting of the temporary admission.

5.18 Standard. Contracting Governments shall permit the temporary admission of

component parts of freight containers without payment of customs duties and other
taxes and charges when these parts are needed for the repair of freight containers
already admitted under the terms of Standard 5.15.

Annex B3 of the Istanbul Convention allows the temporary admission not only of
containers, but also of the component parts for the repair of containers and of
container accessories and equipment. The 1972 Customs Convention on Containers
includes similar provisions.

D. Cargo not discharged at the port of intended destination

5.19 Standard. Where any cargo listed on the Cargo Declaration is not discharged at
the port of intended destination, public authorities shall permit amendment of the Cargo
Declaration and shall not impose penalties if satisfied that the cargo was not in fact
loaded on the ship, or, if loaded, was landed at another port.

In today's international trade it is not uncommon for cargo to change its destination or
ownership during the ship's voyage. For the same reason, it is possible that cargo is
not loaded at the final moment before departure of the ship. In some cases, goods
14 See also Part XII of the WCO Handbook – Customs Convention on Containers, 1972, 2017.

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can be sold more than once during a journey, e.g. in the case of goods sold on futures
markets, such as oil, ore, metals and grain. In order not to interfere with common
commercial practices and not to complicate matters, public authorities should allow
for the amendment of the Cargo Declaration, or alternatively, the ship's (cargo)
manifest in cases where they are satisfied with the reasons given, and not impose
any penalties.

This same principle applies to pre-arrival and in particular, in the case of deep-sea
containerized traffic, pre-loading information.

5.20 Standard. When, by error or for another valid reason, any cargo is discharged
at a port other than the port of intended destination, public authorities shall facilitate
reloading or onward movement to its intended destination. This provision does not
apply to prohibited or restricted cargo.
It may occur that cargo is discharged unintentionally in a port and the cargo has to be
sent to the intended port of destination. When the cargo is still under customs
supervision and temporary storage and the goods have not yet been declared for a
final customs procedure, whereby no duties and taxes have been paid, a simple
procedure for re-exportation should be allowed based on the information submitted at
entry. In other cases, customs should allow repayment of duties and taxes, often
based on a drawback procedure. To allow a repayment of duties and taxes, there
should be ample proof that the incorrect discharge is due to an unintentional
occurrence.
E. Limitation of shipowner's responsibilities
5.21 Standard. Public authorities shall not require a shipowner to place special
information for use of such authorities on a transport document or a copy thereof,
unless the shipowner is, or is acting for, the importer or exporter.
In general, the task of the shipowner is limited to his or her obligation to carry cargo
from the port of departure to the port of destination on the order of the shipper, based
on commercial documents, such as a sea waybill, bill of lading or contract of carriage.
As a result of this, the information concerning the cargo available to the shipowner is
in many cases limited. Importantly, the shipowner is not party to the sales contract or
purchasing order, which is between the seller and buyer. Other parties in the logistical
chain, such as forwarders, are involved and responsible for the necessary formalities
regarding importation or exportation. Aside from cases where the shipowner is, or is
acting on behalf of, the importer or exporter, public authorities should address these
parties for the required information related to the importation or exportation of the
cargo. Due to the security requirements in many parts of the world, it is quite possible
that in the future more detailed information about the cargo, its origin and the buyer
and seller will be required.
Such information should be obtained from the parties with direct knowledge, not from
the carrier.
5.22 Standard. Public authorities shall not hold the shipowner responsible for the
presentation or accuracy of documents which are required of the importer or exporter
in connection with the clearance of cargo, unless the shipowner is, or is acting for, the
importer or exporter.

Based on the explanation given related to Standard 5.21, shipowners should not be
held responsible for information given to the public authorities that originates from
other parties in the logistical chain. However, this does not indemnify shipowners from
their obligation to accurately and in a timely fashion transmit the provided information
to the public authorities.

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5.23 Standard. The shipowner shall be obliged to provide the information regarding
the entry or exit of goods known to the shipowner at the time of lodging such data and
as set out in the transport document that evidences the bill of lading. Thus, the
shipowner can base the lodgement on data provided by the shipper customer, unless
the shipowner has reason to believe that the data provided is untrue.

For sealed, stuffed freight containers, the shipowner unavoidably needs to rely on the
shipping instructions, including the cargo description, provided by the shipper
customer for submitting the various cargo declarations required by public authorities.
Ocean carriers cannot visually inspect or ascertain the contents of sealed freight
containers. A party, such as an ocean carrier, can provide to public authorities the
information that is known to it as part of its ordinary way of doing business. In maritime
traffic, "known" means as set out in the transport document, e.g. the bill of lading or
seaway bill that evidences or is the contract of carriage. The above principles have
been recognized and embraced by multiple jurisdictions. This Standard reflects, for
example, the European Commission's publicly stated position, GUIDANCE
DOCUMENT on Customs Formalities on Entry and Import into the European Union
(page 21), which can be accessed at:

http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/sites/taxation/files/resources/documents
/customs/customs_code/guidance_customs_formalities_entry_import_en.pdf

5.24 Recommended Practice. Public authorities should implement regulations

pursuant to which the person, who initiates and contractually agrees with a party (e.g. a
consolidator, a freight forwarder or a shipowner) for the carriage of a maritime cargo
shipment to the territory of another State, must provide complete and accurate cargo
shipment information to that party.

The Recommended Practice is a logical extension of the principle that a shipowner

can only provide the information "known" to it in the bill of lading or its equivalent,
which, in turn, is based on the shipper's shipping instructions. It is also in conformance
with, for example, the European Commission's publicly stated position (see
explanatory text to 5.23).

SECTION 6
Public health and quarantine, including sanitary measures for animals and plants

6.1 Standard. Public authorities of a State not Party to the International Health
Regulations shall endeavour to apply the relevant provisions for these regulations to
international shipping.

A State which is not Party to the International Health Regulations shall apply, as much
as possible, the provisions of those regulations in order to safeguard the sanitary
conditions of the States that are Party to those regulations and international maritime
traffic as a whole.

6.2 Recommended Practice. Contracting Governments having certain interests in

common owing to their health, geographical, social or economic conditions should
conclude special arrangements pursuant to article 85 of the International Health
Regulations when such arrangements will facilitate the application of those regulations.
In view of globalization and of technological improvement, the flow of travellers and
of means of transportation has become faster and faster, generating the need to
develop partnerships and identify common interests concerning the protection of the
public and the prevention of the spread of disease and other threats to public health.

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6.3 Recommended Practice. Where Sanitary Certificates or similar documents are

required in respect of shipments of certain animals, plants or products thereof, such
certificates and documents should be simple and widely publicized and Contracting
Governments should cooperate with a view to standardizing such requirements.

6.4 Recommended Practice. Public authorities should authorize granting of

pratique by electronic means to a ship when, on the basis of information received from
it prior to its arrival, the health authority for the intended port of arrival is of the opinion
that its arrival will not result in the introduction or spread of a quarantinable disease.
Health authorities should as far as practicable be allowed to join a ship prior to entry of
the ship into port.

6.4.1 Standard. Public authorities shall seek the cooperation of shipowners to ensure
compliance with any requirement that illness on a ship is to be reported promptly by
electronic means to health authorities for the port for which the ship is destined, in
order to facilitate provision for the presence of any special medical personnel and
equipment necessary for health procedures on arrival.
These provisions aim to expedite the operation of ships in ports, in order to minimize
the time needed to start loading or unloading cargo or passengers. The system is
applied when the documentation submitted contains sufficient information for the
appropriate certificate, and at the same time an exemption of onboard inspection, to
be granted.

6.5 Standard. Public authorities shall make arrangements to enable all travel
agencies and others concerned to make available to passengers, sufficiently in advance
of departure, lists of the vaccinations required by the public authorities of the countries
concerned, as well as vaccination certificate forms conforming to the International
Health Regulations. Public authorities shall take all possible measures to have
vaccinators use the International Certificates of Vaccination or Re-Vaccination, in order
to assure uniform acceptance.

The cooperation of travel agencies and other bodies in explaining to passengers the
need to obtain the international vaccination or revaccination certificate becomes an
essential factor in assisting sanitary authorities with carrying out surveillance with
regard to the International Health Regulations, as well as with preventing the spread
of epidemics in the States.

6.6 Recommended Practice. Public authorities should provide facilities for the
completion of International Certificates of Vaccination or Re-Vaccination as well as
facilities for vaccination at as many ports as feasible.

With the purpose of facilitating international maritime traffic, every port should provide
sanitary surveillance stations, which shall be able to issue the relevant international
vaccination certificates, or international certificates of exemption.

6.7 Standard. Public authorities shall ensure that sanitary measures and health
formalities are initiated forthwith, completed without delay and applied without
discrimination.

Every measure taken by sanitary authorities at port stations shall comply with the
requirements of the International Health Regulations and with the sanitary law of the
respective flag States. Every sanitary procedure shall start at the moment of arrival of
information concerning the vessel at port facilities and shall be carried out during the
shortest possible period of time and without any discrimination.

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6.8 Recommended Practice. To ensure, inter alia, efficient maritime traffic, public
authorities should maintain, at as many ports as feasible, adequate facilities for the
administration of public health, animal and agricultural quarantine measures.

6.9 Standard. There shall be maintained readily available at as many ports in a State
as feasible, such medical facilities as may be reasonable and practicable for the
emergency treatment of crews and passengers.

6.10 Standard. Except in the case of an emergency constituting a grave danger to

public health, a ship which is not infected or suspected of being infected with a
quarantinable disease shall not, on account of any other epidemic disease, be
prevented by the health authorities for a port from discharging or loading cargo or
stores or taking on fuel or water.

Ships proceeding from areas considered as hazardous by public health authorities

shall, in accordance with the provisions of the International Health Regulations, berth
only after the sanitary surveillance has ascertained that any possibility of risk has
been removed. However, in an emergency, ships may be allowed to berth in order to
remove factors causing abnormalities on board, such as damage that has occurred
in dangerous cargoes, evacuation of sick persons, among others, which may cause
problems on board jeopardizing the very operation of the ship.

6.11 Recommended Practice. Shipments of animals, animal raw materials, crude

animal products, animal foodstuffs and quarantinable plant products should be
permitted in specified circumstances when the certification requirements have been
met at the time of discharge.

Section 7
Miscellaneous provisions

A. Bonds and other forms of security

7.1 Recommended Practice. Where public authorities require bonds or other forms
of security from shipowners to cover liabilities under the customs, immigration, public
health, agricultural quarantine or similar laws and regulations of a State, they should
permit the use of a single comprehensive bond or other form of security wherever
possible.

The measure aims at facilitating bureaucratic procedures carried out by the ship when
a financial requirement is made by public authorities. A single bond may also
constitute less of a financial burden on the shipowner.

Consideration should be given to reducing or waiving bond or guarantee requirements

to industry parties that have status as "authorized economic operators" under
Authorized Economic Operator programmes in conformance with the WCO SAFE
Framework of Standards.

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B. Services at ports

7.2 Recommended Practice. The normal services of public authorities at a port

should be provided without charge during normal working hours. Public authorities
should establish normal working hours for their services at ports consistent with the
usual periods of substantial workload.

As a consequence of the requirement that the services have to be ordered by the

public authorities themselves, this burden should not be charged to shipowners.
The purpose of instituting regular schedules is to enable the State to save resources
and reduce costs.

7.3 Standard. Contracting Governments shall adopt all practicable measures to

organize the normal services of public authorities at ports in order to avoid unnecessary
delay of ships after their arrival or when ready to depart and reduce the time for
completion of formalities to a minimum, provided that sufficient notice of estimated time
of arrival or departure shall be given to the public authorities.

7.4 Standard. No charge shall be made by a health authority for any medical
examination, or any supplementary examination, whether bacteriological or otherwise,
carried out at any time of the day or night, if such examination is required to ascertain
the health of the person examined, nor for visit to and inspection of a ship for quarantine
purposes except inspection of a ship for the issue of a Ship Sanitation Control
Certificate or Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificate, nor shall a charge be made
for any vaccination of a person arriving by ship nor for a certificate thereof. However,
where measures other than these are necessary in respect of a ship or its passengers
or crew and charges are made for them by a health authority, such charges shall be
made in accordance with a single tariff which shall be uniform to the territory concerned
and they shall be levied without distinction as to the nationality, domicile or residence
of any person concerned or as to the nationality, flag, registry or ownership of the ship.

7.5 Recommended Practice. When the services of public authorities are provided
outside the regular working hours referred to in Recommended Practice 7.2, they
should be provided on terms which shall be moderate and not exceed the actual cost
of the services rendered.

Services outside regular working time should be rendered at reasonable cost, in order
not to increase the respective port tariffs, having repercussions for the value of freight,
whilst meeting the needs of vessel clearance.

7.6 Standard. Where the volume of traffic at a port warrants, public authorities shall
ensure that services are provided for the accomplishment of the formalities in respect
of cargo and baggage, regardless of value or type.

Public authorities shall hire the services of third parties in order to maintain a steady
flow of maritime traffic when regular services offered by Contracting Governments are
not meeting the demand for vessel clearance.

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7.7 Recommended Practice. Contracting Governments should endeavour to make

arrangements whereby one Government will permit another Government certain
facilities before or during the voyage to examine ships, passengers, crew, baggage,
cargo and documentation for customs, immigration, public health, plant and animal
quarantine purposes when such action will facilitate clearance upon arrival in the latter
State.

Through concluding bilateral agreements, bordering or non-bordering States may

make arrangements to enable one another to anticipate measures that will help
reduce the stay in ports of the other State.

C. Emergency assistance

7.8 Standard. Public authorities shall facilitate the arrival and departure of ships
engaged in:

• disaster relief work;

• the rescue of persons in distress at sea in order to provide a place of safety

for such persons;

• the combating or prevention of marine pollution; or

• other emergency operations designated to enhance maritime safety, the

safety of life at sea, the safety of the population or the protection of the
marine environment.

Rescue operations, natural disasters, rescue of persons in distress at sea and other
similar operations are duties that, by their very nature, require States to act with
urgency and speed. Therefore, ports shall adopt standards facilitating the arrival and
departure of ships used in these operations.

7.9 Standard. Public authorities shall, to the greatest extent possible, facilitate the
entry and clearance of persons, cargo, material and equipment required to deal with
situations described in Standard 7.8.

7.10 Standard. Public authorities shall grant prompt customs clearance of

specialized equipment needed to implement security measures.

D. National facilitation committees

7.11 Recommended Practice. Each Contracting Government should consider

establishing, in close cooperation with the maritime industry, a national maritime
transport facilitation programme based on the facilitation requirements of this annex
and ensure that the objective of its facilitation programme should be to adopt all
practical measures to facilitate the movement of ships, cargo, crews, passengers, mail
and stores by removing unnecessary obstacles and delays.

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7.12 Recommended Practice. Each Contracting Government should establish a

national maritime transport facilitation committee or a similar national coordinating
body, for the encouragement of the adoption and implementation of facilitation
measures, between governmental departments, agencies and other organizations
concerned with, or responsible for, various aspects of international maritime traffic, as
well as port authorities, port facilities and terminals and shipowners.

When establishing a national maritime transport facilitation committee or a similar

national coordinating body, Contracting Governments are invited to take into account
the guidelines set out in FAL.5/Circ.2 on the establishment, membership and
operation of national facilitation committees.

The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and its facilitating
body the United Nations Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business
(UN/CEFACT) have published a recommendation on national trade facilitation
bodies.15

___________

15 UNECE UN Recommendation 4, ECE/TRADE/425, 2015.

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