Approximately how long does it take to go through customs? We are flying in from Detroit and landing around 6 am. Thanks!
Posted by
New England
12041 posts
I think you mean Immigration. Customs is when you re enter the US, declaring what you have bought in other countries.
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
8792 posts
Are you connecting? Or is Amsterdam your destination? Are you trying to catch a train?
I have connected in under an hour (no checked bags)
The last time Amsterdam was my destination (last September) Getting from the plane through immigration was about 45 minutes, then waiting for a checked bag another 20 or so. But time varies wildly.
Posted by
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
5315 posts
We landed at 5:30am in May and were through Immigration in about 30 minutes. It's a big airport and you could be walking for awhile though. In total, from landing, walking, train and to hotel was 2.5 hours.
Posted by
Haarlem, Netherlands
174 posts
The time to get through Immigration and Customs is also depending when you travel. Holiday season has now started which means it will be more busy with longer waiting times at Immigration and the luggage belt until late August.
Posted by
Salem, Oregon, USA
3379 posts
about two weeks before your departure you can check the airline web page for how busy it is expected to be on your arrival day. https://www.schiphol.nl/en/my-travel-day/today/arrivals/ Enter your exact flight number and it will tell you anticipated crowd levels and whether you will likely have a wait at immigration and baggage claim. If you aren't traveling for awhile, just put in your flight number for a random date so you can see what info it provides.
Posted by
OP
6 posts
Thx for all of the useful info. It’s been a few years since we’ve traveled so it’s easy to confuse immigration v customs. I’ll be using the 2-wk advance notice.