Do You Go Through Customs on a Layover?

On most layovers you do not go through customs. Customs normally happens once, at your final destination. The main exception is when your layover is your first point of entry into a country, most notably the United States and Canada, where you clear immigration and customs at the connecting airport before continuing.

The short answer

For a typical international connection on a single ticket, you stay in the secure transit area, your checked bags are tagged through, and you clear customs only when you arrive at your final destination. You usually will not see a customs hall at all on the layover.

When you do clear customs on a layover

There are a few situations where a connection does involve customs:

First point of entry to the US or Canada. If you land in the United States or Canada and connect onward, you clear immigration, collect your checked bags, pass customs, and re-check the bags for your next flight, even if you are not stopping there.
Self-transfer or separate tickets. If your flights are on separate bookings, you collect your bags, which often means passing through customs, then check in again for the next leg.
You choose to leave the airport. If you exit during the layover, you go through immigration on the way out and may pass customs depending on the country.

Customs, immigration and security are not the same thing

These three get mixed up constantly. Immigration checks whether you are allowed to enter the country (passports and visas). Customs checks what you are bringing in (goods, declarations, duty). Security screens you and your bags for the flight. On a normal connection you may re-clear security but skip the other two until your destination.

Practical tips for connections

If you connect through the US or Canada, budget extra time. Collecting and re-checking bags plus customs can eat an hour or more.
Know whether your itinerary is one ticket or a self-transfer. It changes everything about bags and customs.
Do not pack anything in checked bags you would hate to dig out and re-check at a connection.
Keep declarations honest and simple. Customs delays are almost always avoidable.

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Frequently asked questions

Do you go through customs on a connecting flight?

Usually not. On a single ticket your bags are checked through and you clear customs at your final destination. The big exception is connecting through the United States or Canada, where you clear customs at the first point of entry.

Do I need to collect my luggage on a layover?

Not on a normal single-ticket connection. You collect bags when you enter the US or Canada, when you are on separate tickets, or when you choose to leave the airport.

Is customs the same as immigration?

No. Immigration checks whether you can enter the country; customs checks what you are bringing in. They are separate checkpoints.

Do I go through TSA again on a domestic layover?

If you stay airside you normally keep your security clearance. If you leave the secure area or exit the airport, you screen again on the way back.