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PHL Customs & Immigration Wait Times

Immigration Snapshot

Plan your international arrival at PHL around customs processing times.

Peak CBP waits can reach 50 minutes on Fridays around 3 PM. 51 lower-wait time slots appear in the historical data below.

Peak wait
50 min
Best signal
Late PM / early AM
Quiet slots
51
Data type
Estimate + historical

Useful pages for this airport

Check estimated CBP processing times at Philadelphia International Airport, then compare immigration wait patterns by day and hour. 51 lower-wait time slots appear in the current dataset.

Estimated Wait Right Now

9 min

PHL local time: Monday at 4 AM

Peak Wait Time

50 min

Fridays at 3 PM

Best Times to Arrive

Under 10 minutes

51 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

9 min

Morning CBP Processing Times (AM)

Historical CBP customs and immigration processing times at Philadelphia International Airport for morning hours (12 AM - 11 AM), organized by day of week
HourMonTueWedThuFriSatSun
12 AM2m1m4m2m6m2m8m
1 AM1m9m5m3m2m8m3m
2 AM1m5m1m8m2m1m2m
3 AM2m4m1m4m1m4m8m
4 AM9m6m7m4m8m3m7m
5 AM4m4m7m10m12m6m15m
6 AM13m10m5m13m10m9m13m
7 AM12m10m17m15m19m17m17m
8 AM15m10m14m15m21m19m23m
9 AM20m11m12m17m27m22m20m
10 AM17m16m15m25m30m26m26m
11 AM24m15m20m26m26m24m26m

Afternoon & Evening CBP Processing Times (PM)

Historical CBP customs and immigration processing times at Philadelphia International Airport for afternoon and evening hours (12 PM - 11 PM), organized by day of week
HourMonTueWedThuFriSatSun
12 PM23m26m21m29m31m30m29m
1 PM28m23m27m24m36m31m43m
2 PM31m30m34m31m42m36m48m
3 PM40m33m32m34m50m38m50m
4 PM40m30m39m33m47m40m46m
5 PM31m32m28m35m43m34m46m
6 PM29m26m27m29m34m36m39m
7 PM25m23m22m27m29m25m34m
8 PM24m21m17m16m30m25m27m
9 PM12m13m17m12m25m15m21m
10 PM8m10m14m14m17m13m15m
11 PM12m4m7m7m13m12m14m

Wait Time Legend

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

Tips for Clearing Customs at PHL

  • 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

PHL Customs & Immigration FAQ

How long are customs and immigration wait times at Philadelphia International Airport?

This page shows estimated CBP processing times at PHL. 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 51 time slots showing waits under 10 minutes.

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

The best times to go through customs and immigration at PHL are typically early morning and late evening. Our data shows 51 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 PHL?

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 PHL?

Global Entry can significantly reduce your customs and immigration wait time at Philadelphia 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 PHL?

When arriving internationally at Philadelphia 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▼