Philadelphia (PHL) Customs & Immigration Wait Times
Estimated customs and passport control wait times at Philadelphia International Airport.
Estimated Customs Wait at PHL
Based on historical data (time-matched)
Customs Wait Times by Hour
Average wait times based on the last 7 days of CBP data
US Citizens & Residents
- Use Automated Passport Control (APC) kiosks
- Have passport and customs declaration ready
- Global Entry: Skip the line entirely (~5 min)
Non-US Citizens
- Complete I-94 form before arrival
- Have return ticket and accommodation proof ready
- Mobile Passport: Free app, can reduce wait to 10-15 min
How to Speed Up Customs at PHL
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How long does customs take at Philadelphia International Airport?
Current average customs wait at PHL is 7 minutes. US citizens average 7 minutes, while non-US citizens average 22 minutes. Global Entry members typically clear in under 5 minutes.
What is the difference between customs and immigration at PHL?
Immigration (passport control) verifies your identity and travel documents. Customs inspects goods you're bringing into the country. At US airports like Philadelphia, both are handled by CBP (Customs and Border Protection) in the same area, so wait times cover both processes.
Is Global Entry worth it at Philadelphia?
Absolutely. With average non-expedited waits of 7 minutes at PHL, Global Entry ($120 for 5 years) pays for itself quickly. Members use dedicated kiosks and typically clear in under 5 minutes.
When is the best time to arrive through customs at PHL?
The shortest customs waits at Philadelphia are around 12:00 (averaging 7 minutes). The busiest times are around 11:00 (averaging 22 minutes). Try to book flights arriving during off-peak hours.