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MSY Customs & Immigration Wait Times

Immigration Snapshot

Plan your international arrival at MSY around customs processing times.

Peak CBP waits can reach 24 minutes on Fridays around 4 PM. 100 lower-wait time slots appear in the historical data below.

Peak wait
24 min
Best signal
Late PM / early AM
Quiet slots
100
Data type
Estimate + historical

Useful pages for this airport

Check estimated CBP processing times at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, then compare immigration wait patterns by day and hour. 100 lower-wait time slots appear in the current dataset.

Estimated Wait Right Now

1 min

MSY local time: Friday at 12 AM

Peak Wait Time

24 min

Fridays at 4 PM

Best Times to Arrive

Under 10 minutes

100 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

1 min

Morning CBP Processing Times (AM)

Historical CBP customs and immigration processing times at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport for morning hours (12 AM - 11 AM), organized by day of week
HourMonTueWedThuFriSatSun
12 AM1m3m2m1m1m3m3m
1 AM4m1m4m3m4m5m3m
2 AM4m1m4m1m1m1m1m
3 AM1m1m4m1m3m1m2m
4 AM3m2m4m1m5m1m5m
5 AM1m5m1m4m3m5m5m
6 AM3m1m1m6m9m3m3m
7 AM8m6m5m6m5m5m8m
8 AM7m4m8m5m10m7m12m
9 AM6m5m10m7m10m9m13m
10 AM11m5m9m10m10m10m14m
11 AM10m9m10m11m13m11m16m

Afternoon & Evening CBP Processing Times (PM)

Historical CBP customs and immigration processing times at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport for afternoon and evening hours (12 PM - 11 PM), organized by day of week
HourMonTueWedThuFriSatSun
12 PM15m11m11m14m13m14m17m
1 PM14m11m12m12m17m14m14m
2 PM14m13m13m17m16m13m19m
3 PM17m15m14m19m18m21m20m
4 PM20m17m15m17m24m16m22m
5 PM14m13m14m18m17m18m22m
6 PM12m12m12m14m20m18m19m
7 PM12m8m10m13m12m14m16m
8 PM11m10m11m12m10m8m11m
9 PM5m7m10m6m11m10m12m
10 PM3m6m7m5m6m4m10m
11 PM2m5m1m2m6m7m8m

Wait Time Legend

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

Tips for Clearing Customs at MSY

  • 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

MSY Customs & Immigration FAQ

How long are customs and immigration wait times at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport?

This page shows estimated CBP processing times at MSY. Peak waits can reach 24 minutes on Fridays around 4 PM. The best times to clear customs are usually early morning or late evening, with 100 time slots showing waits under 10 minutes.

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

The best times to go through customs and immigration at MSY are typically early morning and late evening. Our data shows 100 time slots with wait times under 10 minutes. Avoid Fridays around 4 PM when waits are longest.

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

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 MSY?

Global Entry can significantly reduce your customs and immigration wait time at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International 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 MSY?

When arriving internationally at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International 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▼