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SFO Customs & Immigration Wait Times

Immigration Snapshot

Plan your international arrival at SFO around customs processing times.

Peak CBP waits can reach 79 minutes on Sundays around 4 PM. 29 lower-wait time slots appear in the historical data below.

Peak wait
79 min
Best signal
Late PM / early AM
Quiet slots
29
Data type
Estimate + historical

Useful pages for this airport

Check estimated CBP processing times at San Francisco International Airport, then compare immigration wait patterns by day and hour. 29 lower-wait time slots appear in the current dataset.

Estimated Wait Right Now

2 min

SFO local time: Monday at 1 AM

Peak Wait Time

79 min

Sundays at 4 PM

Best Times to Arrive

Under 10 minutes

29 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

2 min

Morning CBP Processing Times (AM)

Historical CBP customs and immigration processing times at San Francisco International Airport for morning hours (12 AM - 11 AM), organized by day of week
HourMonTueWedThuFriSatSun
12 AM8m14m11m9m15m15m12m
1 AM2m1m12m12m7m3m4m
2 AM1m9m9m1m5m1m3m
3 AM7m5m1m3m1m10m1m
4 AM13m8m3m10m13m5m4m
5 AM12m7m15m7m20m12m18m
6 AM19m11m19m11m17m22m25m
7 AM16m18m22m22m23m25m27m
8 AM27m17m26m21m27m25m27m
9 AM22m22m27m29m29m27m42m
10 AM36m31m25m36m38m39m47m
11 AM30m29m31m36m40m40m41m

Afternoon & Evening CBP Processing Times (PM)

Historical CBP customs and immigration processing times at San Francisco International Airport for afternoon and evening hours (12 PM - 11 PM), organized by day of week
HourMonTueWedThuFriSatSun
12 PM39m35m34m39m45m41m55m
1 PM47m40m45m40m50m46m63m
2 PM45m43m43m45m67m50m61m
3 PM52m50m54m58m73m63m72m
4 PM60m47m53m58m71m56m79m
5 PM49m49m47m56m72m54m69m
6 PM50m38m43m46m60m45m57m
7 PM39m31m37m43m51m36m56m
8 PM31m26m35m34m45m36m37m
9 PM27m17m23m22m31m23m34m
10 PM14m12m20m19m22m21m29m
11 PM11m12m10m15m13m19m17m

Wait Time Legend

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

Tips for Clearing Customs at SFO

  • 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

SFO Customs & Immigration FAQ

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

This page shows estimated CBP processing times at SFO. Peak waits can reach 79 minutes on Sundays around 4 PM. The best times to clear customs are usually early morning or late evening, with 29 time slots showing waits under 10 minutes.

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

The best times to go through customs and immigration at SFO are typically early morning and late evening. Our data shows 29 time slots with wait times under 10 minutes. Avoid Sundays around 4 PM when waits are longest.

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

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 SFO?

Global Entry can significantly reduce your customs and immigration wait time at San Francisco 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 SFO?

When arriving internationally at San Francisco 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▼