International Arrivals: What Really Happens at Customs and How Long It Takes

International arrivals involve more steps than domestic flights, and the time required varies dramatically by airport, time of day, and your documentation status. Understanding what happens after landing—and how long it typically takes—helps you plan connections and ground transportation accurately.

The Standard Arrival Process

Step 1 – Deplaning: International aircraft are large, and deplaning takes longer than domestic flights. Expect 15-25 minutes from touchdown to exiting the aircraft, depending on your seat location and bridge availability.

Step 2 – Immigration/Passport Control: The longest and most variable step. Wait times range from 10 minutes to over 2 hours depending on arrival volume, staffing levels, and your documentation. Global Entry or Mobile Passport can reduce this to under 5 minutes.

Step 3 – Baggage Claim: Bags from international flights typically take 30-45 minutes to reach carousels. Arriving passengers often wait another 10-15 minutes after reaching the baggage area before their luggage appears.

Step 4 – Customs Inspection: Usually brief for tourists and returning residents. Declare required items honestly. Random secondary inspections add 15-30 minutes when they occur.

Port of Entry Speed Rankings

Fastest US Ports: Houston (IAH), Seattle (SEA), and Tampa (TPA) consistently process passengers quickly. Global Entry adoption is high, facilities are modern, and staffing matches typical arrival volumes.

Moderate Waits: Atlanta (ATL), Dallas (DFW), and San Francisco (SFO) see heavy international traffic but maintain reasonable processing times outside peak hours.

Longest Waits: Miami (MIA) handles massive Latin American arrival volumes. New York JFK processes enormous passenger counts through aging facilities. Los Angeles (LAX) sees peak waits exceeding 2 hours during heavy arrival periods.

Expediting Your Processing

Global Entry: Kiosks process enrolled travelers in under 2 minutes. The $100 five-year cost pays for itself immediately at busy ports. Apply months before planned international travel due to interview appointment backlogs.

Mobile Passport: The free CBP app lets you submit passport information and customs declaration before landing. Dedicated lanes at participating airports reduce waits significantly, though not as dramatically as Global Entry.

Complete declarations accurately: Honest, complete customs declarations avoid secondary inspection triggers. Declaring nothing when you’re clearly carrying purchases invites closer scrutiny.

Timing Your Arrival

Early morning arrivals typically face shorter immigration lines than afternoon peaks. When multiple international flights land simultaneously, lines build quickly regardless of time.

Consider the origin of flights arriving around your scheduled landing. Multiple arrivals from high-scrutiny origins can slow processing for everyone.

Connecting After International Arrivals

Allow minimum 90-120 minutes for domestic connections after international arrivals. You must clear customs, recheck bags, and clear security again. Less time creates unacceptable risk of missed connections.