Do I have to go through customs for an international connecting flight LAX?

If you're connecting with another airline, you may need to change terminals. If you're arriving on an international flight, you need to clear US Customs checkpoints before entering the United States and collect your baggage (even if you're in transit and have connecting flights).



In 2026, if you are arriving at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on an international flight and connecting to a domestic or another international flight, you must go through U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The U.S. does not have "sterile transit" for international-to-international connections. This means you will first clear Passport Control (Immigration), then collect your checked luggage at the baggage carousel—even if it is tagged to your final destination—and carry it through the Customs inspection area. After clearing Customs, you will find a "Baggage Re-check" counter just outside the arrivals hall where you can drop your bags back into the system. You will then need to clear TSA security screening before heading to your connecting gate. In 2026, it is highly recommended to allow at least 3 hours for this process, as LAX is one of the busiest entry points in the country and biometric processing, while faster than older methods, can still experience queues during peak arrival windows.

In 2026, if you are arriving at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) from an international destination and connecting to another flight—even an international one—you must clear U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Unlike many international hubs, U.S. airports generally do not have "sterile" transit zones. This means you will first go through immigration, collect your checked luggage from the arrivals carousel (even if it is tagged to your final destination), and then walk through the customs inspection area. After clearing customs, you will follow signs for "Connecting Flights" where you can re-check your bags at a dedicated counter. You then must pass through TSA security again to enter the departures area. For 2026 travelers, it is a high-value "pro-tip" to allow at least 3 hours for this process, as LAX is a massive facility where terminal transfers can take significant time, though the new "Automated People Mover" trains have significantly improved inter-terminal connectivity since their full rollout.

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