Transit through Miami International Airport

Question

Hi,

We will be travelling from London Heathrow to Miaimi International Airport on 12th September, then transmitting through to a flight 3 hours later to Lima.

Will we need an EsTA?& will we have to complete immigration, collect luggage & go through customs etc gor the second flight? Thanks

Answer

Since you are traveling from London Heathrow to Miami International Airport (MIA) and then connecting to a flight to Lima, Peru, there are some important points regarding U.S. entry requirements and airport procedures.

First, regarding the ESTA:

Yes, you will need an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) if you are a citizen of a Visa Waiver Program (VWP) country, such as the UK. The ESTA is required to enter the United States even if you are only transiting to another country.
Make sure your ESTA is valid for the date of travel and that you apply at least 72 hours before departure, although earlier is recommended.

Regarding immigration, luggage, and customs at Miami:

Upon arrival at MIA, you will go through U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). This means completing immigration (passport control) and customs procedures, even if you are just connecting to another international flight.
Typically, you will need to collect your checked luggage after immigration, even if it is tagged to your final destination. You then go through customs before rechecking it for your connecting flight.
After clearing customs and rechecking luggage, you will proceed to the departure gate for your onward flight to Lima. Make sure you allow enough time for this process — 3 hours is usually sufficient, but can be tight if lines are long or there are delays.

Additional tips:

Check if your airline offers “through check-in” for your bags; some airlines may allow luggage to go directly to Lima, but you will still clear customs and immigration in Miami.
Have all travel documents ready: passport, ESTA approval, onward flight ticket, and any required documents for entry into Peru.
Consider using Mobile Passport Control or Global Entry if you are eligible, to speed up the U.S. immigration process.

In summary, for your Miami transit:

An ESTA is required for U.S. entry.
You will need to go through immigration, collect luggage, and go through customs before proceeding to your connecting flight.
Allow sufficient time for these steps, especially during busy travel periods.