How long does it take to go through customs in Paris?

If you leave the aircraft in the first group of passengers you should expect to get through immigration fairly quickly but allow yourself anything from 10 mins to 1hour.



In 2026, the time it takes to clear customs and passport control at Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) has become more volatile due to the full implementation of the EU Entry/Exit System (EES). For travelers from the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, the average time can range from 45 minutes to 3 hours. While the physical "customs" check (walking through the "nothing to declare" line) is usually instant, the passport control phase is where the delays occur. Under the EES, non-EU travelers must now undergo biometric registration (fingerprints and facial scans) on their first entry. During peak morning waves—when many transatlantic flights land simultaneously—queues can stretch significantly. Travelers are currently advised to budget at least 2.5 to 3 hours for the entire arrival process if they have a connecting train or flight, as the "Parafe" e-gates at CDG are still being updated to handle the new biometric requirements for all international passport holders.

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Minimum connecting time recommended by EASY CDG* 60 minutes for connections within the same terminal. 90 minutes for connections that require travel between terminals.

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To have some time to explore Paris, you will need to take into consideration the time it takes to leave the airport, which is a minimum of 30 minutes, and then get into central Paris, which, by taxi or train, can take anywhere between 30 to 60 minutes.

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You must pass through a security check (No passport control nor visa required). Please note ! If you need to leave the transit area to pick up baggage and check-in, you must clear a passport check, please ensure that you comply with entry & visa requirements.

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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.

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AF will automatically rebook you on the next available flight to your destination which may or may not be the next scheduled flight. Effectively, there is nothing that you can do until you arrive at CDG.

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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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It usually takes less than 20 minutes to get through customs. Wondering how long customs take? The good news is that it's a speedier process than in the past. The bad news is that the time it takes can vary wildly depending on which airport you travel through and when you land.

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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.

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CDGVal is a free automatic shuttle between terminals of Paris-CDG airport. It links each terminals (Terminal 1, 3, 2A, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G), railway station (Paris by train) and car parks.

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When entering the United States from overseas, you must obtain your luggage and bring them through Customs and Border Protection (CBP). You will need to check them back into the airlines to make your next flight. Baggage not obtained after your international flight will not get to your final destination.

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They will ask you a few basic questions, such as where you went and what you purchased on your trip. They look for items on the restricted list, contraband, or anything left off the customs form. Be as specific and as prompt as possible when answering.

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Generally speaking, you collect your luggage after immigration (passport) control, but before customs control. However, if you are a transit passenger, you may not have to collect your baggage at all. This depends on which airport/country you are passing through and whether or not a change of airline is involved.

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Read more: Moving to France: Can I take seed packets with me from UK? Most cakes and sweets are therefore in theory banned as they are likely to contain some form of dairy or meat product, such as gelatine or cream. You can carry other products that are not meat or plant based, such as bread, crisps, tea bags, etc.

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Passport stamping
  • show proof of where you intend to stay, for example, a hotel booking or proof of address if visiting your own property.
  • show proof of insurance for your trip – check FCDO's travel insurance guidance.
  • show a return or onward ticket.
  • prove that you have enough money for your whole stay.


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What happens if a flight is delayed and you miss your connection? If you miss your connection due to a delay, usually the airline is responsible for providing you with a replacement flight to your destination. They will have to book you on the earliest possible flight available.

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If your itinerary was purchased as one ticket (as in: you have only one itinerary and one confirmation number), and the connection time was too short and you miss the second (or third) flight, you can rest easy, no matter what happens. The airline will simply put you onto the next available flight, free of charge.

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