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IAH Customs & Immigration Wait Times

Immigration Snapshot

Plan your international arrival at IAH around customs processing times.

Peak CBP waits can reach 50 minutes on Fridays around 3 PM. 53 lower-wait time slots appear in the historical data below.

Peak wait
50 min
Best signal
Late PM / early AM
Quiet slots
53
Data type
Estimate + historical

Useful pages for this airport

Check estimated CBP processing times at George Bush Intercontinental Houston Airport, then compare immigration wait patterns by day and hour. 53 lower-wait time slots appear in the current dataset.

Estimated Wait Right Now

7 min

IAH local time: Monday at 3 AM

Peak Wait Time

50 min

Fridays at 3 PM

Best Times to Arrive

Under 10 minutes

53 time slots with minimal wait

CBP Wait Time Lookup Tool

Check estimated customs and immigration wait times for any day and hour. The "Estimated Wait Right Now" card above shows current conditions.

Estimated wait for selection

7 min

Morning CBP Processing Times (AM)

Historical CBP customs and immigration processing times at George Bush Intercontinental Houston Airport for morning hours (12 AM - 11 AM), organized by day of week
HourMonTueWedThuFriSatSun
12 AM9m1m5m1m10m5m3m
1 AM3m3m5m1m7m10m10m
2 AM4m1m1m2m8m3m1m
3 AM7m4m4m7m1m1m8m
4 AM5m5m3m4m1m2m1m
5 AM3m11m8m7m13m5m10m
6 AM10m8m14m12m17m12m11m
7 AM16m17m8m11m16m10m15m
8 AM14m10m10m20m22m22m17m
9 AM21m16m13m14m24m16m28m
10 AM23m18m17m17m27m26m23m
11 AM22m21m22m27m33m26m30m

Afternoon & Evening CBP Processing Times (PM)

Historical CBP customs and immigration processing times at George Bush Intercontinental Houston Airport for afternoon and evening hours (12 PM - 11 PM), organized by day of week
HourMonTueWedThuFriSatSun
12 PM22m27m19m25m29m32m30m
1 PM28m29m25m26m32m29m36m
2 PM29m25m35m33m42m34m47m
3 PM40m28m37m41m50m36m44m
4 PM34m30m34m39m46m39m50m
5 PM35m28m28m31m43m35m50m
6 PM32m27m30m29m38m30m43m
7 PM21m27m22m22m35m33m31m
8 PM19m21m18m24m22m22m25m
9 PM14m12m19m19m20m18m18m
10 PM14m14m9m14m11m19m22m
11 PM6m10m10m5m10m9m13m

Wait Time Legend

- No data≤10 min11-20 min21-30 min31-40 min41-50 min50+ min

Tips for Clearing Customs at IAH

  • Enroll in Global Entry for expedited CBP processing ($100/5 years, includes TSA PreCheck)
  • Use the free CBP Mobile Passport Control app for a dedicated inspection lane
  • Have your passport and customs declaration form ready before reaching the booth
  • Check peak times above and adjust your connecting flight buffer accordingly
  • Declare all agricultural items and purchases above the duty-free allowance
  • If connecting domestically after arrival, allow extra time for customs and re-checking bags

IAH Customs & Immigration FAQ

How long are customs and immigration wait times at George Bush Intercontinental Houston Airport?

This page shows estimated CBP processing times at IAH. Peak waits can reach 50 minutes on Fridays around 3 PM. The best times to clear customs are usually early morning or late evening, with 53 time slots showing waits under 10 minutes.

What is the best time to arrive for customs at IAH?

The best times to go through customs and immigration at IAH are typically early morning and late evening. Our data shows 53 time slots with wait times under 10 minutes. Avoid Fridays around 3 PM when waits are longest.

Can I check customs wait times for a specific day and time at IAH?

Yes. Use the day and time selector in the wait time tool to view the estimated CBP processing wait for any day-of-week and hour block. The "right now" number above it is the quick view for the current time slot.

Should I get Global Entry for IAH?

Global Entry can significantly reduce your customs and immigration wait time at George Bush Intercontinental Houston Airport. Members use automated kiosks to bypass the regular CBP line, reducing processing time to under 5 minutes in most cases. The $100 fee covers 5 years and includes TSA PreCheck. If you travel internationally at least once a year, Global Entry is usually worth it.

What documents do I need for international arrival at IAH?

When arriving internationally at George Bush Intercontinental Houston Airport, you need a valid passport (with at least 6 months validity), any required visas, and a completed CBP customs declaration (usually provided on the plane or via the CBP Mobile Passport Control app). Global Entry and SENTRI members can use automated kiosks. U.S. citizens returning from Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean may also use the Mobile Passport Control app for a dedicated lane.

Official Travel Resources

5 verified external links from airport operators and U.S. agencies.

Official Airport Resources1 link▼
Customs and Border Protection4 links▼