URGENT Entering the US - is 1h 25 min layover enough?

[UPenn2019 2]

My dad is coming to the US, but he has to stop at Detroit for an 85 minute layover. I know he has to go through customs and I already bought my ticket. It is delta airlines but it's the same airlines for the 2nd flight, will he have enough time?

[Pitaya 2,577]

Hard to say, depends on several factors, including, but not limited to, other concurrent international arrivals and distance between gates.

Good luck.

[visaqueries 111]

The first time my husband went through Detroit his wait with customs was 2.5 hours. The second time he entered I don't think he waited long at all. We always gave about 3-4 hours of layover just in case.

[UPenn2019 2]

Okay. Well I don't know then....How do I know if he has to pick up his checked bags?

Edited May 22, 2015 by UPenn2019

[UPenn2019 2]

Okay I called Delta and a representative said he has to pick it up at his first stop in the US, which is DTW...I think they'll get rebooked though for free, if he misses it.

[Morganalmonshid94 84]

If he misses it they will rebook for free yes its happen to me plenty of times, 1.25 hrs honestly ? I'd say probably no way . Unless it is dead that day with travelers . It will work out regardless though .

[UPenn2019 2]

Okay. I know DTW's custom wait time is shorter than JFK's...but he may have to call us if he misses the flight.

[Boiler 45,651]

I have done it in less than that, but you never know.

[UPenn2019 2]

Okay. We'll see. I'm gonna help him prepare how to fill out the custom declaration form. Will a Chinese version be available?

Edited May 23, 2015 by UPenn2019

[pandainamerica 6]

If the incoming international portion and the domestic portion are on the same itinerary or PNR, then in theory if your father misses the ticketed flight, then he should be rebooked on the next available flight, free of charge. For safety, you should look into hotels at the airport if there is only one connecting flight per day to your final destination.

Okay. We'll see. I'm gonna help him prepare how to fill out the custom declaration form. Will a Chinese version be available?

You should fill out form 6059b for him and email it for him to print out.

[rinimina 7]

There are forms in Chinese before you enter the customs waiting line.

[UPenn2019 2]

If I fill this out now, does he have to fill another one out?

[Operator 1,927]

Okay. We'll see. I'm gonna help him prepare how to fill out the custom declaration form. Will a Chinese version be available?

Delta flights from PEK or PVG should have forms in Chinese that will be handed out by the flight attendants. If not they will have them in the arrivals hall.

For future reference international travelers will always clear customs and immigration at their Point of Entry into the US and every traveler has to carry their luggage through customs inspection. The exceptions being airports with US pre-clearance outside the US.

[pandainamerica 6]

If I fill this out now, does he have to fill another one out?

In theory, CBP should accept the fillable pdf I linked above. In practice, I don't know because I told my parents to copy what I wrote down for them.

[UPenn2019 2]

Ok I'm not worried about refilling the form, just getting through customs and to his gate.