How long does it take to get through customs at Logan?

Most of the flights from Europe arrive in Boston between 5-7 PM. This is rush hour at Logan International Airport. I have passed immigration, collected bags and gone through customs in anywhere from 25 minutes to 80 minutes. You are advised to check in to your departing flight at least 90 minutes prior to departure.



Clearing customs and immigration at Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) typically takes between 30 and 60 minutes, though this can fluctuate wildly based on the arrival of multiple "heavy" international flights in Terminal E. During peak afternoon windows (2:00 PM – 5:00 PM), wait times can occasionally exceed 90 minutes. In 2026, travelers using Global Entry or the Mobile Passport Control (MPC) app often breeze through in under 10 minutes, as these programs have dedicated lanes that bypass the primary kiosks. Once you pass through passport control, you must collect your bags and walk through the "Customs" exit; if you have nothing to declare, this part is almost instantaneous. For domestic travelers, there is no customs check. To ensure a smooth arrival, Logan officials recommend allowing at least three hours if you have a connecting flight, as you must re-clear TSA security after entering the United States.

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The bad news is that the time it takes can vary wildly depending on which airport you travel through and when you land. Customs will take a lot longer if a bunch of flights all land at the same time, but, on average, it takes about 20 minutes or less to get through customs.

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Boston Logan International Airport is served by some 50 international destinations. Most of Boston Logan's international arrivals come through Terminal E for U.S. Customs and Border Protection processing.

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When do you go through customs on international flights? Usually, you go through customs when you exit the airport at your final destination. However, if you have a layover in a different city in your destination country, you may need to go through customs before your connecting flight.

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Allow enough time: Customs can be time-consuming, especially during peak travel periods. Make sure you allow enough time to clear customs and get to your connecting flight. As a general rule, it's best to allow at least two hours for international layovers.

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Like Global Entry, Germany's EasyPASS allows travelers to bypass customs interviews and move through automated border control at seven German airports (Frankfurt am Main, Munich, Cologne/Bonn, Dusseldorf, Berlin-Schönefeld, Berlin-Tegel, and Hamburg) with 153 eGates: All you have to do is scan your passport, glance at ...

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The recommended layover time for international flights is generally longer, as you will have to go through customs and immigration before boarding your next flight. In most cases, a 30-minute layover for domestic flights and an hour for international flights is considered a minimum, or short, layover.

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Boston Logan International (BOS) The best time to go through security at Logan Airport is Thursdays at 10 – 11 p.m., where you'll only wait around 3 minutes, whereas the worst time is Friday at 5 – 6 p.m., where you'll wait a whopping 45 minutes.

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Logan Airport is one of the most difficult locations to fly the friendly skies, according to a new study. Experts from the Family Destinations Guide used data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics to rank the worst air travel hubs in the country.

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Generally, 30 minutes to 1 hour should be normal.

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Typically, customs clearance takes less than 24 hours, however, there are times where it can take several days or weeks for goods to be inspected. When is customs clearance needed?

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For example, if your final destination is Paris, France, but you have a layover in Madrid, Spain, you will actually go through customs in Spain, not France. Then, when you arrive in Paris, you won't go through customs a second time. You will be free to grab your bags from the terminal and leave the airport.

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5. When do you go through customs on international flights? Usually, you go through customs when you exit the airport at your final destination. However, if you have a layover in a different city in your destination country, you may need to go through customs before your connecting flight.

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While on your flight, your flight attendant will distribute a Customs Declaration Form. Most forms ask the point of exit and entry of your flight, your flight number, and what goods you may be bringing into the country (forms might list prohibited items for the respective country).

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Usually, when you land in the US from a foreign country, you go through a customs inspection in the first US city you land in. However, if you're flying from one of 14 designated airports with preclearance facilities offered by Customs and Border Protection, or CBP, you clear customs before you fly.

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