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.

On average, travelers can expect to spend between 45 and 90 minutes clearing immigration and collecting baggage at major international airports. According to 2026 data, the pure "wait time" at U.S. Immigration and Customs typically averages about 18 minutes, but this varies wildly by location; for instance, Fort Lauderdale (FLL) often averages over 30 minutes, while Phoenix (PHX) can be as low as 5 minutes. After the passport check, you must factor in the "baggage carousel wait," which usually takes 20 to 40 minutes depending on the size of the aircraft and the efficiency of the ground crew. If you are arriving during a "peak bank" (when multiple wide-body jets land simultaneously), the total process can easily stretch to 2 or 3 hours. Using expedited programs like Global Entry or Mobile Passport Control can significantly reduce the immigration portion, sometimes bringing it down to under 5 minutes, but you are still at the mercy of the baggage handlers for your checked luggage.