Los Angeles (LAX) Customs & Immigration Wait Times
Estimated customs and passport control wait times at Los Angeles International Airport.
Estimated Customs Wait at LAX
Based on historical data (time-matched)
Customs Wait by Terminal
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
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How long does customs take at Los Angeles International Airport?
Current average customs wait at LAX is 22 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 LAX?
Immigration (passport control) verifies your identity and travel documents. Customs inspects goods you're bringing into the country. At US airports like Los Angeles, 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 Los Angeles?
Absolutely. With average non-expedited waits of 22 minutes at LAX, 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 LAX?
The shortest customs waits at Los Angeles are around 01:00 (averaging 7 minutes). The busiest times are around 23:00 (averaging 22 minutes). Try to book flights arriving during off-peak hours.