PBI Airport Immigration & Customs Wait Times
Typical passport-control wait at Palm Beach International Airport is about 7 minutes. Based on U.S. CBP data from the last 90 days, through 2026-10-18 — updated daily, not live.
How long will customs take at PBI?
Most travelers landing around 3 PM on Sundays wait about 34 minutes at passport control.
Last Sunday (Oct 18): no international arrivals at 3 PM
Busiest around 3 PM (~34 min). Quietest around 4 PM (~0 min).
Wait-time data: U.S. Customs & Border Protection — Airport Wait Times. Averages over the last ~90 days, refreshed daily — not a live feed. Not affiliated with CBP.
Meeting someone at PBI? Find out when to leave
PBI Immigration at a Glance
💡 Tips for Clearing Customs Faster at PBI
- ✓ Apply for Global Entry — about 0% of travelers here already use it and clear passport control in minutes.
- ✓ Have your passport and any customs declaration filled out and ready before you reach the booth.
- ✓ Where available, the free Mobile Passport Control app can put you in a faster lane.
- ✓ If you can pick your flight, avoid arrivals around 3 PM, the busiest hour for customs at PBI.
- ✓ Connecting to a domestic flight? Budget extra time — you must clear customs and re-check your bags before your next leg.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does customs and immigration take at PBI?
On average, passport control at Palm Beach International Airport takes about 7 minutes, based on U.S. Customs and Border Protection data over the last 90 days. Waits are longest around 3 PM (typically ~21 minutes) and shortest around 10 AM. Actual times vary with the number of international arrivals and booths open.
When is the best time to clear immigration at PBI?
The quietest passport-control times at PBI are typically around 10 AM. The busiest window is around 3 PM (typically ~21 minutes), so if you can choose your arrival, avoid that hour. Pick your day and landing time in the planner above for the typical wait.
Is Global Entry worth it at PBI?
About 0% of arriving travelers at PBI already use Global Entry, which lets you skip the regular passport-control line and typically clear in a few minutes. If you fly internationally even a couple times a year, it usually pays for itself in time saved.
Are these PBI immigration wait times live?
No. These are historical averages from CBP's Airport Wait Times program, which publishes with about a two-day lag. This page is refreshed daily so the typical patterns and the most recent available day stay current, but the figures are not a real-time feed.
Wait-time data source: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Airport Wait Times. Figures are historical averages, not live, and are for informational purposes only. Not affiliated with CBP.