Customs at Philadelphia Airport: Your International Arrival Guide
March 24, 2025
William Cartwright
SmartPark · International arrivals at PHL
Welcome to Philly.
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Your guide to passport control, baggage, connections, and the ride back to your car.
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Do all international arrivals clear customs at PHL?
If PHL is your first U.S. arrival point and your flight was not precleared, expect U.S. Customs and Border Protection processing before you leave the international arrivals area. Follow airport signs and staff directions from your arrival gate.
Flights that complete U.S. preclearance before departure generally arrive without another routine CBP inspection at PHL. That changes the arrival and connection process, so check your flight’s arrangements rather than relying on the airline name alone. CBP: when travelers clear customs (opens in a new tab)
Where is the international arrivals area?
PHL’s international processing facility is associated with Terminal A-West. The public International Arrivals Hall is on Level 3 in A-West, outside security; family and friends can meet passengers there after customs. Your arrival gate and your eventual pickup point may be in different areas.
PHL’s International Arrivals Hall directions (opens in a new tab)
For arrivals that are not precleared
Clearing customs at Philadelphia Airport: step by step
Continue from your gate toward passport control. Have your travel documents ready.
Use the lane you are eligible for and follow the officer’s instructions.
Retrieve checked luggage as directed, including bags for an onward flight.
Complete any declaration or inspection requirements before exiting.
Officers may ask about your trip, review documents, or direct you to additional inspection. The exact sequence can vary with your flight and processing method. Follow instructions even if you have used the airport before.
Prepare before landing
What documents and information should you have ready?
Keep your passport and the entry or residence documents required for your status accessible. Requirements depend on citizenship, immigration status, and the purpose of travel; check CBP’s traveler guidance (opens in a new tab) for your situation before departure. An app does not replace required physical travel documents.
Have your onward itinerary and U.S. destination details handy in case you are asked. Follow the declaration process provided by CBP, whether through an eligible app or instructions at the inspection area.
Declare food and agricultural items
Declare food, plants, seeds, and other agricultural products, including snacks or gifts. An item that may be permitted still needs to be declared when required. If you are unsure about something you packed, tell the officer and ask. CBP’s food and agricultural guidance (opens in a new tab)
For purchases and other items, review CBP’s declaration guidance (opens in a new tab). Having nothing to declare does not guarantee that you will avoid inspection.
Understand your options
Mobile Passport Control and Global Entry at PHL
| Option | What it does | Before arrival |
|---|---|---|
| Standard processing | CBP inspection through the applicable regular lane | Prepare the documents required for your trip |
| Mobile Passport Control | Lets eligible travelers submit information through CBP’s free app | Check eligibility, download the official app, and follow its instructions |
| Global Entry | Expedited processing for approved members | Confirm membership and follow the designated arrival process |
Mobile Passport Control: eligibility matters
PHL supports MPC. Eligible groups include U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, Canadian B1/B2 citizen visitors, and returning Visa Waiver Program travelers with approved ESTA. Verify the current criteria for your situation before using it. Sources: DHS’s official app directory (opens in a new tab) and PHL’s MPC information (opens in a new tab).
Use the official CBP app and follow its submission instructions for your arrival. Keep your physical documents ready and follow the posted lane instructions. Check MPC eligibility and get the official app (opens in a new tab)
Global Entry: for approved members
PHL participates in Global Entry. Follow the designated signs and current processing instructions when you arrive. Approval is required; downloading an app alone does not make you a member. PHL’s Global Entry guidance (opens in a new tab) · Official Global Entry information (opens in a new tab)
Neither option guarantees a particular wait time or removes declaration and inspection requirements.
Plan beyond the passport line
How long does customs take at Philadelphia Airport?
There is no reliable single wait time for every PHL arrival. Flight bunching, staffing, document checks, baggage delivery, and additional inspection can all affect when you are ready to leave.
CBP’s Airport Wait Times tool provides historical inspection wait data for planning—not a live countdown for your flight. CBP says the figures exclude baggage retrieval and movement through the airport. View CBP’s historical airport wait times (opens in a new tab)
For pickup, share an update when you have cleared the arrivals process and collected your luggage. For a connection, build in time for recheck, security, and the walk to your next gate as well as CBP processing.
Choose your next step
After customs: connecting flights, pickup, or parking
I have a connecting flight
For a non-precleared arrival, follow the instructions to collect and recheck your checked bags, then complete TSA screening before heading to your next gate. Confirm the bag-drop location with your airline, especially on separate tickets. Ask the airline about suitable connection time; a blanket two- or three-hour allowance cannot guarantee a successful transfer.
My flight was precleared before departure
Your arrival generally follows a different flow because U.S. inspection took place before boarding. Follow your airline’s directions for your gate and checked bags. Do not go to international arrivals solely because the flight originated abroad.
Someone is meeting me at the airport
Arrange a meeting point after you clear CBP. The public International Arrivals Hall in A-West is one option. For curbside pickup, follow current airport signs and confirm the exact location with your driver once you are ready.
My car is parked at SmartPark
Complete the arrivals process and collect your luggage first. Then contact SmartPark’s dispatcher using your parking card or the current return instructions. Share your terminal, party size, and baggage status, and follow the dispatcher’s pickup directions.
PHL pickup-zone directions (opens in a new tab) · SmartPark return-shuttle instructions (opens in a new tab)
Returning to your car at SmartPark
SmartPark provides offsite self-parking and a complimentary PHL shuttle. Keep your parking card with your travel documents so you can find the return instructions after landing. The shuttle connects the airport with the parking facility; it is not a customs service or a general family-pickup arrangement.
Your arrival checklist
Get ready for a smoother arrival
Tap each item as you prepare. This checklist stays on this page and resets when you reload.
Common arrival questions
Customs at PHL: frequently asked questions
Do all international flights go through customs in A-West?
Non-precleared international arrivals follow signs to PHL’s international processing facility. Travelers who completed U.S. preclearance before departure generally do not repeat routine CBP processing at PHL. Check your specific flight rather than relying on a list of airlines.
Is Mobile Passport Control the same as Global Entry?
No. MPC is a free app-based submission option for eligible travelers; Global Entry requires approved membership. Both still involve following CBP requirements.
Are the CBP airport wait times live?
The CBP Airport Wait Times tool provides historical data for planning. It does not predict your complete arrival time or include baggage collection and airport walking time.
Can friends meet me inside customs?
Arrange to meet after the inspection area. PHL identifies the public International Arrivals Hall in A-West as a place where passengers can meet family and friends after customs.
When should I request my SmartPark shuttle?
After clearing the arrivals process and retrieving your luggage. Use the current dispatcher instructions on your parking card or SmartPark’s website.
Plan the return before you depart
Your car. Your parking plan. Ready for your return.
Flying internationally from PHL? Check SmartPark availability for your travel dates and save your return-shuttle instructions.
Check SmartPark availability (opens in a new tab)Published by SmartPark. Information reviewed October 12, 2026. CBP determines entry and inspection requirements; follow current official guidance and airport instructions. Website links open in new tabs. Article navigation stays on this page.