How Do You Clear US Customs and Immigration After an International Flight?

Summary

The steps

1. 1

   Know What to Expect Before Your Plane Lands

   Every traveler arriving on an international flight at a US commercial airport must clear US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) before exiting the terminal. This obligation is established under 19 U.S.C. 1459 (reporting of arrival) and 8 U.S.C. 1225 (inspection of arriving persons), and it applies without exception regardless of citizenship or trusted-traveler status.

   The standard sequence is: deplane, follow arrivals signage to the CBP hall, present your travel document and CBP Form 6059B (the customs declaration) to a CBP officer or kiosk, collect your checked bags from the carousel, pass through the final customs inspection point under 19 U.S.C. 1467, and exit to the arrivals hall. If you have a connecting domestic flight, you re-check your bags at a dedicated airline desk after clearing customs, then proceed to domestic departures.

   Two programs - Global Entry and Mobile Passport Control - let eligible travelers complete part of this process digitally using dedicated lanes. CBP launched Mobile Passport Control in 2014 at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) before expanding it to additional large hub airports. Neither program eliminates the CBP interaction; both streamline it by reducing queue time at the officer or kiosk stage.

   Do this

   Read the CBP arrivals information page at cbp.gov before your trip - declarations are governed by 19 C.F.R. Part 148.,Download the CBP Mobile Passport Control app before departure - airport Wi-Fi in the arrivals hall can be unreliable.,Complete CBP Form 6059B on the plane if paper forms are distributed, or in the MPC app if you are eligible.,Check whether your arrival airport has Global Entry kiosks - CBP lists participating airports on its website.,Check your airline's published international-to-domestic Minimum Connection Time and plan accordingly.

   Example

   CBP Form 6059B is the standard customs declaration form distributed on international flights to the US. Completing it accurately during the flight - rather than at the kiosk - means you reach the CBP officer or kiosk with your declaration already done, which is one of the most practical ways to move through the arrivals hall efficiently.

   Best practice

   Carry a printed or downloaded copy of your customs declaration in case the digital system is unavailable. Keep your passport accessible throughout the arrivals process - CBP officers may request it at multiple checkpoints.
2. 2

   Choose Your CBP Processing Lane: Standard, MPC or Global Entry

   US CBP offers three main processing paths for arriving international travelers. The correct choice depends on your citizenship, visa status, and trusted-traveler enrollment.

   Standard CBP officer queue is available to all travelers under 8 U.S.C. 1225. You present your passport and CBP Form 6059B to a CBP officer, who reviews your documents and may ask questions. This lane requires no enrollment but is typically the longest at busy hub airports during peak arrival banks.

   Mobile Passport Control (MPC) is a free CBP app available to US citizens, lawful permanent residents, certain B1/B2 visa holders, and Visa Waiver Program travelers designated under 8 U.S.C. 1187. You submit your passport photo and customs declaration in the app before reaching the officer. MPC uses a shorter dedicated lane and requires no background check or interview. CBP launched MPC at ATL in 2014 and has since expanded it to dozens of large hub airports.

   Global Entry is a CBP trusted-traveler program costing $100 for five years (as of 2026), authorized under 8 U.S.C. 1187 and administered by CBP's Office of Field Operations. Applicants undergo a background check and an in-person CBP interview. Approved members use dedicated kiosks that scan their passport and fingerprints under the biometric standards in 8 C.F.R. Part 235, then proceed through a separate lane with minimal officer interaction. Global Entry membership also includes TSA PreCheck. Many premium travel credit cards reimburse the $100 application fee - check your card's benefits guide for the specific terms and reimbursement process.

   Do this

   Download the free Mobile Passport Control app from the Apple App Store or Google Play before your trip.,Apply for Global Entry at cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry if you travel internationally regularly.,Check whether your credit card reimburses the $100 Global Entry fee - many travel cards include this benefit.,Confirm your MPC eligibility in the app when you enter your travel document details.,Follow the overhead signage for your chosen lane - MPC and Global Entry lanes are clearly marked at participating airports.

   Example

   Global Entry kiosks scan the member's passport and fingerprints under the biometric standards in 8 C.F.R. Part 235. The kiosk prints a transaction receipt that the member hands to the officer at the exit - the officer interaction is typically brief. This is the fastest CBP processing path available to eligible travelers at large hub airports.

   Best practice

   Apply for Global Entry well in advance - processing and interview scheduling can take weeks to months depending on demand. If your application is pending, use Mobile Passport Control in the meantime at participating airports.
3. 3

   Complete Your Customs Declaration Accurately

   Every traveler entering the US must declare goods they are bringing into the country on CBP Form 6059B or its digital equivalent. The declaration covers items purchased or acquired abroad, food and agricultural products, and currency or monetary instruments over $10,000. Reporting currency over $10,000 is required under 31 U.S.C. 5316 and 31 C.F.R. Part 1010, using FinCEN Form 105. Providing false information on a customs declaration is a federal offense under 18 U.S.C. 1001, carrying potential fines and criminal penalties.

   The personal duty-free exemption for most US residents returning from abroad is $800 under 19 C.F.R. 148.33. Items above that threshold are dutiable at rates set in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS). CBP officers at the final inspection point apply these rates under 19 C.F.R. Part 148.

   Food, plant material, and animal products must be declared regardless of whether you believe they are allowed. CBP makes the final determination under 7 C.F.R. Part 330 (plant protection) and 9 C.F.R. Part 94 (animal products). Declaring a prohibited item voluntarily is always preferable to having it discovered undeclared.

   Do this

   Review CBP's current duty-free allowances at cbp.gov - the personal exemption is $800 under 19 C.F.R. 148.33 for most returning US residents.,Complete CBP Form 6059B on the plane or in the MPC app before you reach the kiosk or officer.,Declare all food, plant material, and animal products - CBP makes the final call under 7 C.F.R. Part 330 and 9 C.F.R. Part 94.,Declare any currency or monetary instruments totaling $10,000 or more on FinCEN Form 105, as required by 31 U.S.C. 5316.,Keep receipts for items purchased abroad in case a CBP officer asks to verify the declared value against the $800 exemption under 19 C.F.R. 148.33.

   Example

   The $800 personal exemption under 19 C.F.R. 148.33 means most travelers returning from a short international trip owe no duty on typical purchases. Items above that threshold are assessed at HTSUS rates at the final inspection point. Keeping receipts for foreign purchases is the most reliable way to support your declared values.

   Best practice

   Do not attempt to bring prohibited agricultural products into the US - CBP agriculture specialists and USDA APHIS detector dogs are present at many large hub airports. Declaring a prohibited item voluntarily is always preferable to having it discovered undeclared.
4. 4

   Collect Your Checked Bags and Clear the Final Inspection Point

   After your CBP officer or kiosk interaction, you proceed to the baggage claim carousels to collect your checked luggage. At US international airports, this happens before you exit the customs hall - you cannot clear customs and then return for your bags. The carousel number for your flight is displayed on the arrivals screens in the baggage claim area.

   Once you have your bags, you proceed to the final customs inspection point, where a CBP officer reviews your declaration receipt and may direct you to secondary inspection or wave you through to the exit. CBP officers at this point operate under 19 U.S.C. 1467, which authorizes examination of baggage of persons arriving in the US.

   If you have a connecting domestic flight, locate the airline re-check desk immediately after the customs exit. Delayed or damaged bag rights at this stage are governed by DOT regulations under 14 C.F.R. Part 254. Photograph any damaged bag before leaving the baggage claim area and report it to the airline immediately.

   Do this

   Check the arrivals screens for your baggage carousel number as soon as you enter the baggage claim area.,Keep your customs declaration receipt accessible - you will hand it to the officer at the final inspection point under 19 U.S.C. 1467.,If a bag does not arrive, report it to your airline's baggage services desk before leaving the customs hall - your rights are set out in 14 C.F.R. Part 254.,After clearing customs, locate the domestic re-check desk if you have a connecting flight - do not exit the airport with bags you need to re-check.,Confirm your connecting flight's departure gate on the airline app after re-checking your bags.

   Example

   At large hub airports with international-to-domestic connections, the re-check desk is typically positioned immediately after the customs exit doors, staffed by the airline or its ground handler. Bags tagged at re-check are transported to the domestic departure area without the traveler carrying them through the terminal. Rights for delayed or damaged bags at this stage fall under 14 C.F.R. Part 254.

   Best practice

   Photograph any damaged bag before leaving the baggage claim area and report it to the airline immediately. Keep your baggage claim tags until your bags are confirmed delivered at your final destination.
5. 5

   Handle Secondary Inspection Calmly and Correctly

   A percentage of travelers are referred to secondary inspection after their initial CBP interaction. Secondary inspection is a routine additional screening authorized under 19 U.S.C. 1467 and 8 U.S.C. 1225(a), which give CBP officers broad authority to examine travelers and their belongings at the border without a warrant or probable cause. The US Supreme Court confirmed in United States v. Ramsey, 431 U.S. 606 (1977), that border searches are a recognized exception to the Fourth Amendment's warrant requirement. Referral to secondary inspection does not indicate wrongdoing.

   Common triggers include a passport that is difficult to scan, a question about your customs declaration, a random selection under CBP's risk-based targeting protocols, or a database match requiring clarification. In secondary inspection, a CBP officer will ask questions about your trip and declaration and may examine your bags under 19 U.S.C. 1467.

   If you believe your treatment during secondary inspection was inappropriate, you can file a complaint with CBP's Traveler Communications Center at cbp.gov after you have cleared the airport. Do not attempt to file a complaint or dispute a CBP decision at the inspection point itself.

   Do this

   Follow the CBP officer's instructions calmly and without argument if directed to secondary inspection.,Answer questions honestly and concisely - do not withhold relevant facts.,Keep your travel documents, receipts and customs declaration accessible during secondary inspection.,Inform the officer of your connection time if secondary inspection is running long - they can sometimes coordinate with your airline.,File a complaint with CBP's Traveler Communications Center at cbp.gov after clearing the airport if you believe your treatment was inappropriate.

   Example

   Secondary inspection under 19 U.S.C. 1467 can involve a bag examination, a database query, or a question about a declared item. Travelers who have declared all items accurately and carry supporting receipts - particularly for items near or above the $800 exemption under 19 C.F.R. 148.33 - typically clear secondary inspection without issue.

   Best practice

   Allow extra connection time on international itineraries specifically because secondary inspection is possible. Do not book the tightest available international-to-domestic connection at a large hub airport.
6. 6

   Exit to the Arrivals Hall and Continue Your Journey

   Once you have cleared the final customs inspection point under 19 U.S.C. 1467, you exit through a one-way door into the public arrivals hall. At large hub airports, the arrivals hall typically connects to ground transport options, rideshare zones, taxi stands, and in some cases rail connections to the city. Verify transport options and pickup zone locations on the airport's official website before you travel - these change during construction and operational updates.

   If you are continuing to a domestic flight, follow the signage for domestic departures after re-checking your bags. You will need to clear TSA security again for the domestic departure under standard TSA screening protocols set out in 49 C.F.R. Part 1544. Travelers enrolled in TSA PreCheck - including all Global Entry members - can use the dedicated PreCheck lane for this domestic security screening. Factor this into your connection time planning alongside the time already spent at CBP and baggage claim.

   Airport Online has a commercial interest in providing useful airport information for US commercial airports. This guide is written to be genuinely useful to travelers regardless of whether they use Airport Online's platform.

   Do this

   Confirm the ground transport or meetup arrangement before you board your international flight, not after you land.,Use the airport's official website to locate rideshare pickup zones, taxi stands and rail connections - do not rely on third-party apps for pickup zone locations.,If continuing to a domestic flight, allow time for TSA security screening under 49 C.F.R. Part 1544 in addition to CBP processing time.,Charge your devices during the international flight so your airline app and maps are ready when you land.,If you need an ATM, compare rates before exchanging large amounts of currency - airport exchange rates are often less favorable than those available in the city.

   Example

   At large hub airports, domestic departures after an international arrival require a full TSA security screening under 49 C.F.R. Part 1544. Global Entry members, who automatically receive TSA PreCheck, can use the dedicated PreCheck lane for this screening - one of the practical benefits of Global Entry beyond the CBP kiosk access.

   Best practice

   Do not exchange large amounts of currency at airport kiosks without comparing rates. Use your bank's ATM network where possible for better exchange rates.

International Arrivals at a US Hub Airport: What Every Traveler Should Know

What This Guide Does Not Cover

FAQ

What is the difference between Global Entry and Mobile Passport Control?

Global Entry is a paid CBP trusted-traveler program ($100 for five years as of 2026) requiring a background check and in-person interview; approved members use dedicated biometric kiosks under 8 C.F.R. Part 235. Mobile Passport Control is a free CBP app with no interview requirement; eligible travelers submit passport data and a customs declaration digitally and use a shorter MPC lane. Global Entry also includes TSA PreCheck; MPC does not. CBP launched MPC at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) in 2014 before expanding it to additional large hub airports.

Do I need to collect my bags before going through customs at a US airport?

Yes. At all US international airports, you collect checked baggage from the carousel before reaching the CBP customs declaration point. If you have a connecting domestic flight at the same airport, re-check your bags at a dedicated airline re-check desk after clearing customs. Your airline's app or the airport's arrivals signage will direct you to the correct desk. Delayed or damaged bag rights at this stage are governed by 14 C.F.R. Part 254.

What happens if I am referred to secondary inspection at a US airport?

Secondary inspection is an additional CBP screening authorized under 19 U.S.C. 1467 and 8 U.S.C. 1225(a). CBP officers have broad authority to examine travelers and their belongings at the border without a warrant, as confirmed in United States v. Ramsey, 431 U.S. 606 (1977). Common triggers include a passport scan error, a question about your customs declaration, or a random selection. Answer questions honestly, cooperate calmly, and keep your receipts and documents accessible. The process is typically resolved before a connecting flight if adequate connection time was allowed.

Can non-US citizens use Mobile Passport Control?

Mobile Passport Control is available to US citizens, US lawful permanent residents, certain B1/B2 visa holders, and travelers from Visa Waiver Program countries designated under 8 U.S.C. 1187. Eligibility is confirmed in the app when you enter your travel document details. Non-eligible travelers use the standard CBP officer queue or, if enrolled, Global Entry kiosks under 8 C.F.R. Part 235.

How much connection time should I allow when arriving internationally and connecting to a domestic flight?

Airlines publish Minimum Connection Times for international-to-domestic transfers, which are longer than domestic-to-domestic figures. At large hub airports, allow additional buffer beyond the published minimum to account for CBP processing under 8 U.S.C. 1225, baggage collection, re-check, and TSA security screening required again for the domestic departure under 49 C.F.R. Part 1544. Not enrolling in Global Entry or MPC increases the time needed at the CBP stage.