San Diego (SAN) Customs & Immigration Wait Times
Estimated customs and passport control wait times at San Diego International Airport.
Estimated Customs Wait at SAN
Based on historical data (7-day average)
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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 San Diego International Airport?
Current average customs wait at SAN is 22 minutes. US citizens average 22 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 SAN?
Immigration (passport control) verifies your identity and travel documents. Customs inspects goods you're bringing into the country. At US airports like San Diego, 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 San Diego?
Absolutely. With average non-expedited waits of 22 minutes at SAN, 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 SAN?
The shortest customs waits at San Diego are around 12:00 (averaging 7 minutes). The busiest times are around 18:00 (averaging 22 minutes). Try to book flights arriving during off-peak hours.