🛂 Customs at Philadelphia Airport: What to Expect When Arriving Internationally
March 24, 2025
William Cartwright
🛂 Customs at Philadelphia Airport: What to Expect When Arriving Internationally
Flying into Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) from abroad? You’ll need to go through U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) upon arrival. Whether you’re a U.S. citizen or an international traveler, knowing how customs at Philadelphia Airport works can save you time, stress, and confusion.
Here’s your step-by-step guide to clearing customs at PHL—including where to go, what documents you need, and how long it usually takes.
📍 Where Is Customs at Philadelphia International Airport?
Customs and immigration processing at PHL takes place in Terminal A-West, which is where most international flights arrive.
✈️ Airlines Arriving at Terminal A-West Include:
- American Airlines (International)
- British Airways
- Lufthansa
- Qatar Airways
- Aer Lingus
- Iberia
- Other international carriers
💡 Pro Tip: Even if your final gate is in a different terminal, you’ll clear customs in A-West first.
🧾 What Happens When You Arrive at Customs in PHL?
Here’s the basic step-by-step process for all international arrivals:
1. Deplaning and Walking to Immigration
After landing, follow the signs to passport control. There may be a long walk from the gate to the customs area—especially in A-West.
2. Passport Control (Immigration)
U.S. Customs officers will check:
- Your passport and visa (if required)
- Your Customs Declaration Form (often digital via app)
- Travel history and purpose of visit
If you’re a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, the process is usually quicker.
💡 Use Global Entry if you’re enrolled—it allows expedited entry through automated kiosks.
3. Baggage Claim
Once cleared, you’ll head to baggage claim to pick up your checked luggage.
4. Customs Declaration
After collecting bags, you’ll proceed to the Customs checkpoint, where officers may:
- Review your declaration
- Ask questions
- Inspect your luggage (if flagged)
💡 Nothing to declare? You’ll usually walk right through unless selected for random screening.
🕒 How Long Does Customs Take at Philadelphia Airport?
It varies based on time of day, number of flights, and whether you’re using expedited services:
| Type of Passenger | Average Wait Time |
|---|---|
| U.S. Citizens | 15–30 minutes |
| International Travelers | 30–60+ minutes |
| Global Entry Users | 5–10 minutes |
💡 You can check real-time CBP wait times on the official CBP website or the PHL app.
📱 Can You Use Mobile Passport or Global Entry?
✅ Global Entry: Yes — PHL has dedicated kiosks.
✅ Mobile Passport Control: Yes — available through the CBP app.
These programs allow you to skip the main lines and use a faster entry lane, making your arrival much smoother.
🧳 Connecting Flights After Customs
If Philadelphia is not your final destination, here’s what you need to do:
- Clear customs in Terminal A-West
- Recheck your bags (look for baggage recheck counters right after customs)
- Proceed to your next terminal via shuttle, walkway, or Airside transfer
- Go through TSA security again before heading to your connecting gate
💡 Tip: Allow at least 2–3 hours between your international arrival and next domestic flight.
🚗 Need Parking or Pickup After Customs?
Once you’ve cleared customs, you can:
- Be picked up outside the A-West arrivals curb
- Take the PHL shuttle to nearby parking lots
- Walk to short-term parking garages
✅ Best Option for Pickup or Parking:
Smart Park Philadelphia offers:
- Affordable, secure offsite parking
- 24/7 shuttle service to Terminal A-West
- Great for international arrivals with unexpected delays
✅ Final Customs Tips at Philadelphia Airport
✔️ Have all required travel documents ready
✔️ Download the Mobile Passport app (if eligible)
✔️ Enroll in Global Entry for faster processing
✔️ Allow extra time for connections after customs
✔️ Use Smart Park Philadelphia for stress-free parking or pickup
Arriving internationally at PHL? Now you know what to expect from customs at Philadelphia Airport—and how to breeze through it like a pro.
👉 Need to park before your trip or pick up family from Terminal A?
Choose Smart Park Philadelphia for the most convenient long-term airport parking near PHL.