Clearing customs at SFO

Question

How long does it usually take to clear Customs at SFO

Answer

Clearing customs at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) can vary quite a bit depending on several factors, such as the time of day, number of international flights arriving simultaneously, staffing, and whether you have TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or other expedited programs.

Here’s a detailed overview of what to expect:

Typical wait times: On average, clearing customs at SFO for an international flight can take anywhere from 20 minutes to over an hour. Peak times, especially in the morning and early afternoon when multiple long-haul flights arrive, can lead to waits closer to 60–90 minutes.
Expedited entry options: If you have Global Entry, you can typically go through customs and immigration much faster, often within 5–15 minutes.
Documents ready: Make sure your passport and customs declaration are ready to help speed up processing.
Baggage claim: After customs, you’ll collect checked luggage if you have any. This can add an extra 10–30 minutes depending on how busy the baggage claim area is.

Additional considerations:

Large groups or families may take longer because the process can be slower with multiple people.
Flights arriving from Asia or Europe often have longer waits due to higher passenger volumes.
After customs, you may need additional time to get to domestic connections if you have a connecting flight.

Practical tip: Many travelers budget around 1–2 hours from plane arrival to exiting the airport, unless they have Global Entry or similar programs. Planning accordingly ensures you’re not rushed, especially if you have ground transportation or rental car arrangements.

Clearing customs at SFO

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