The SARPs and guidance material that comprise Annex 9 have been developed in consultation with Contracting States. Annex 9 is periodically updated by the Facilitation (FAL) Panel, on which sit 27 experts nominated by member States and industry observers, or the Facilitation Division.
Annex 9 to the Chicago Convention embodies the SARPs and guidance material pertaining specifically to the facilitation of landside formalities for clearance of aircraft and passengers, goods and mail, with respect to the requirements of customs, immigration, public health and agriculture authorities.
Initially, the main thrust of the Annex consisted of efforts to reduce paperwork, standardize internationally the documents that were to accompany traffic between States, and simplify the procedures required to clear aircraft, passengers and cargo.
Note 1.— Under Annex 15 — Aeronautical Information Services, States are obligated to publish the types and hours of clearance services (customs, immigration, health) at their international airports. Note 2.—