Do I have to go through customs for a connecting flight in San Francisco?
Transferring to a Domestic or Onward International FlightAll passengers arriving on international flights must complete US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) entry procedures at the International Terminal Arrivals Hall.
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Please note connecting passengers exit into the airport's public area and are required to clear security prior to boarding their next flight.
Do You Have To Go Through Customs During A Layover? Customs and immigration are usually required at the connecting airport for international flights. You don't always have to for domestic flights. In most cases, passengers on layover flights must clear customs and immigration at the first point of entry.
Yes, there might be exceptions, but most often than not the airline won't wait. What you can do is to try to avoid missing your connection. But if you do miss your connection, don't worry, the airline will book you on a new flight for free (if it's an airline-protected connecting flight).
What is a good connection time? Travel advisers say there's a lot to take into account when booking connecting flights, but a general rule of thumb is 60-90 minutes between domestic flights and at least two to three hours for international itineraries.
In cases where the connecting flight is one another airline or another terminal, passengers must go through a security and baggage check once again before you get on board the connecting flight to reach your destination.
If you miss your connecting flight, the airline will usually transfer your checked luggage to the next available flight. However, it is important to contact the airline as soon as possible so they can make sure that your bags are on their way.
The recommended layover time for domestic flights is normally one hour. However, as previously stated, you may require longer if your flights are booked with two different airlines, if you are traveling to a very busy airport or if you require special assistance.
For most domestic layovers, you won't have to go through security again. However, some airports have separate security checkpoints for each terminal, so if you land in one terminal and your next flight is in another, you would have to go through security again.
Leaving the airport during an international layover is possible but can be more complicated. Depending on the layover country, layover flight rules may require you to secure a visa before being allowed to venture out of the airport.