LAX Arrival 7:30am - how long to clear immigration?

[MikeG]

Hi,

I'll be arriving at LAX at 7:30am on a Tuesday, and I was wondering how long it is likely to take to clear customs etc.

I'm an Australian Citizen, and I will be travelling with cabin luggage only. (although I am tempted to check it if it will make things easier)

Thanks.

Mike

 

[robtemt]

I went back home over Christmas, and it was the first time we used the kiosks (my partner entered on AU passport and I on my USA), it was really quick. I was shocked. Not as fast as here, but still better than before. I'd say it took us 25 minutes for immigration, and 10 minutes once we had our bags for customs.

But there are rules around using the kisok (must have entered previously on ESTA at least once since 2008). We arrived late due to tech issues, and missed the peak hour of arrivals.

 

[ozjuice]

I used the kiosks in June and the thing that took longest was working out where the hell you are supposed to go. But basically off the plane, and on the car hire bus within 25 minutes and that was with luggage collection.

 

[Ausbt]

I used the kiosks in June

Passports need to be valid for six months plus to use kiosks, got caught out on that one last time.

 

[ozjuice]

Passports need to be valid for six months plus to use kiosks, got caught out on that one last time.

Pretty standard on all travel, i'd never risk using a passport anywhere that was close to expiring.

 

[RooFlyer]

US airport immigration wait times can be found here. Choose your airport and time to see what you might expect. But remember your experience may vary from other Australians depending on whether you can use a kiosk, if you are travelling on a ESTA etc.

This may be helpful to you too: about screening in the USA: here.

 

[sausagefingers]

is it possible to use the Kiosks when travelling with kids ( 12 & 8)

 

[Dr Ralph]

What flight are you on MikeG?

This can make a difference.

 

[exceladdict]

My experience at LAX (and IAH) was approximately half an hour.

 

[robtemt]

I know the APC will process children (but not take their photos), all family members can process together on the same kiosk, but I don't know about the rule of needing to have had one ESTA arrival since 2008.

 

[MikeG]

What flight are you on MikeG?

This can make a difference.

My flight is AA 72

 

[Ausbt]

Pretty standard on all travel, i'd never risk using a passport anywhere that was close to expiring.

So you are routinely only getting 9 1/2 years out of your passports, rather than 10? (I can't actually remember what happens surrounding the old expiry date, but I'm about to find out). For sure, some countries won't let you enter if your passport expires in 3 or 6 months, but that is not the case in the US or UK, among a few others I'd guess. As it happens today mine will expire in precisely 26 days. Yep, I'd better pull my finger out, no question.

 

[ozjuice]

So you are routinely only getting 9 1/2 years out of your passports, rather than 10? (I can't actually remember what happens surrounding the old expiry date, but I'm about to find out). For sure, some countries won't let you enter if your passport expires in 3 or 6 months, but that is not the case in the US or UK, among a few others I'd guess. As it happens today mine will expire in precisely 26 days. Yep, I'd better pull my finger out, no question.

Yep that's about the size of it....kinda feel short changed now