Convention on Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic (FAL)

FAL CONVENTION 

Adoption: 9 April 1965

Entry into force: 5 March 1967

 

Objectives of FAL convention :

1: To prevent unnecessary delays in maritime traffic.

2: To aid co-operation between Governments.

3: To secure the highest practicable degree of uniformity in formalities and other procedures. 

In particular, the Convention reduces the number of declarations which can be required by public authorities.

General structure of FAL convention 

The FAL Convention consists of 16 articles and one annex.

Articles : The articles contain, inter alia, general provisions, the scope of the convention, and the notification and entry into force requirements.

Annex: The Annex of the FAL Convention contains the "Standards" and "Recommended Practices" on formalities, documentary requirements and procedures which should be applied on arrival, during their stay, and on departure to the ships, their crews, passengers, baggage and cargo.

The structure of the Annex is as follows:

1. Definitions and general provisions;
2. Arrival, stay and departure of the ship;
3. Arrival and departure of persons;
4. Stowaways; 
5. Arrival, stay and departure of cargo and other articles;
6. Public health and quarantine, including sanitary measures for animals and plants;
7. Miscellaneous provisions.

Appendix 1 IMO FAL Forms

Appendix 2 Form of stowaway details referred to in Recommended Practice 4.6.