Quick Summary:
- International arrivals must clear US immigration and collect bags first.
- After customs, follow Rental Car Centre signs, then take the MIA Mover.
- Domestic arrivals skip immigration, go straight to baggage claim.
- You cannot access car hire desks without your entry process completed.
If you are arriving at Miami International Airport (MIA) and planning to pick up a car hire, the key thing to know is this, you clear immigration and customs before you reach the airport car hire desks. The rental counters are not in the secure arrivals corridors, they are located at the separate Rental Car Centre (RCC). That layout is designed so that all arriving passengers, especially international travellers, complete the required US entry formalities first.
Because Miami is a major international gateway, the arrival flow can feel long the first time you do it. The good news is that the sequence is consistent, and once you know what comes first, you can plan your timing, documents, and expectations. This guide walks through the exact arrival sequence for international and domestic passengers so you know what must be completed before pick-up, and what happens after.
Where the car hire desks are at Miami Airport
At MIA, the car hire desks are at the Miami Airport Rental Car Centre, connected to the terminals by the MIA Mover, an elevated people mover. You do not normally walk to the desks from the arrivals curb, instead you follow signs for “Rental Cars” and take the MIA Mover across to the RCC.
This matters for the title question because the RCC is outside the arrivals processing areas. For international passengers, that means immigration, baggage claim, and customs all come first, then you head to the MIA Mover and on to the car hire counters. If you want to check practical pick-up details for MIA, see car hire at Miami Airport (MIA).
International arrivals at MIA: step-by-step before car hire
For international flights, you will go through a set order. You cannot reach the Rental Car Centre until you have completed every required entry step, so it helps to understand what is ahead.
1) Deplane and follow signs to immigration (passport control)
After landing, follow “Arrivals” and “Immigration” signage. At passport control, you will present your passport, and depending on your nationality and status, your visa or ESTA details may be checked. Some travellers can use automated passport kiosks where available, but you should still expect an officer interaction or confirmation step.
Time here is the most variable. It depends on how many international flights arrive at once, staffing levels, and whether you have any additional checks. If you are travelling with family, the party is usually processed together, but the officer may ask questions to one person, or to each adult.
2) Collect checked baggage
After immigration you proceed to baggage claim. Even if you have a connecting flight, international arrivals typically need to pick up checked baggage first, then follow the airport’s instructions for re-checking it if you are connecting onwards. If you are travelling with only hand luggage, you still must pass through the next step, customs, before you can leave the arrivals area.
3) Clear customs
With your bags, you go through US customs. If you have items to declare, you should follow the appropriate lane and be prepared to show receipts or answer questions. If you do not have anything to declare, you may still be selected for random screening. Either way, customs clearance happens before you can enter the public landside area of the terminal.
Only once you have cleared customs are you officially “out” into the public part of the airport. This is the point at which you can begin the journey to the Rental Car Centre.
4) Head towards Rental Cars and the MIA Mover
After customs, follow signs for “Rental Cars” or “MIA Mover”. You will typically move through the terminal towards the station. The MIA Mover takes you directly to the RCC where the car hire desks are located.
If you are meeting other travellers, this is also a practical point to regroup, confirm who is driving, and check that everyone has what they need before leaving the terminal area.
5) Arrive at the Rental Car Centre and queue for your desk
At the RCC, you will find car hire counters for multiple brands. You will queue, complete the paperwork, then be directed to the vehicle pick-up area. Because this is a separate building, the experience feels more like a standalone rental facility than a small desk in a terminal.
It can be helpful to think of it as two phases, the “entry phase” (immigration, baggage, customs) and the “transport phase” (MIA Mover to RCC). Only the second phase leads you to the car hire desks.
Domestic arrivals at MIA: what changes before car hire
If you arrive on a domestic flight within the United States, you do not go through immigration or customs at MIA. Your sequence is shorter, but you still will not reach the car hire desks until you leave the secure area and travel to the Rental Car Centre.
1) Deplane and follow signs to baggage claim or exit
Domestic passengers simply head towards baggage claim if checking bags, or towards the terminal exit if travelling with hand luggage only. There is no passport control step on arrival.
2) Collect bags if needed
Pick up checked baggage from the carousel. If you have oversized baggage, follow the relevant signs, as it may come out in a separate area. Once you have your belongings, proceed towards “Rental Cars”.
3) Take the MIA Mover to the Rental Car Centre
Just as with international passengers, domestic travellers go to the RCC via the MIA Mover. The practical difference is that you reach this stage quicker, because there is no entry processing to complete.
Can you reach car hire desks without clearing immigration at MIA?
No, not if you are arriving on an international flight. The car hire desks are outside the controlled arrivals processing area. Until you clear immigration and customs, you cannot access the public exits that lead you to the MIA Mover and the Rental Car Centre.
This also means that if you are trying to coordinate with someone arriving internationally, you should not expect them to appear quickly at the rental desks. Delays at immigration or baggage claim can add significant time before they can even start the trip to the RCC.
Planning your timing: how long to allow before pick-up
For domestic arrivals, a common planning window is the time to taxi in, walk to baggage claim, collect bags, and then ride the MIA Mover to the RCC. For international arrivals, you must add immigration and customs, which can be fast on a quiet day or slow during peak arrival banks.
Rather than focusing on an exact number, plan with buffer time, especially if you have a tight schedule, travelling with children, or landing in the afternoon and early evening when multiple long-haul flights may arrive. If you are continuing your trip beyond Miami, you may also want to factor in traffic leaving the airport area.
What you need ready at the car hire desk
Once you reach the counter, you typically need your driving licence, a passport or other ID, and a payment card in the driver’s name. Requirements can differ by supplier and driver profile, and some renters may need additional documentation. If you are a visitor, bring the same identity documents you used to travel, so you are not relying on a single form of ID.
It is also wise to have your booking confirmation and to know the exact name on the reservation, especially when multiple travellers are involved. If you plan to add an additional driver, that person should be present with their licence and ID, as many suppliers require them at the counter.
Why Miami’s set-up feels different from some airports
Many airports place car hire desks within or adjacent to the terminal, sometimes even before you fully exit the arrivals hall. Miami’s RCC model centralises rental operations in one facility, reached by the MIA Mover. The advantage is that it is clearly signposted and designed for high volume, but the trade-off is that it takes extra steps after you have left your gate.
This design also reinforces the rule that international passengers must complete entry processing first, because the route to the RCC is through public areas beyond immigration and customs.
If you are not picking up at MIA
Some travellers fly into Miami but decide to pick up a car elsewhere, for example closer to a hotel, cruise port, or a different airport. If you are comparing options, you can review broader Florida pick-up ideas via car rental in Florida. For those heading north, an alternative airport location is car rental at Fort Lauderdale (FLL), which may suit certain itineraries.
If you will be staying near the coast after arrival, you might also look at neighbourhood pick-up options such as budget car rental in Miami Beach, depending on where you plan to spend your first night.
Common arrival mistakes that slow down car hire pick-up
Most delays are not about the car hire desk itself, they come from underestimating the steps before you reach it. A few pitfalls to avoid:
Assuming the rental desks are in the terminal. At MIA, you still need to reach the RCC via the MIA Mover.
Not allowing for immigration and customs queues. International arrivals should plan for variability, especially at busy times.
Separating documents between travellers. Keep the driver’s licence, passport, and payment method together so the counter process is smooth.
Forgetting that everyone arrives at the same RCC. The RCC can be busy, so be ready for queues at peak times.
What to do if your flight is delayed or immigration takes longer
If your arrival is later than expected, the practical priority is to proceed through the required steps efficiently and safely. Once you reach the RCC, the counter team can advise on your reservation status. Policies vary depending on supplier and booking type, so keeping your confirmation details accessible helps you explain your situation quickly.
If you are worried about driving after a long international flight, consider whether the first night should be close to Miami so you can rest, then start longer drives the next day. Miami traffic can be demanding for first-time visitors, particularly around rush hours.
FAQ
Do international passengers clear immigration before reaching the car hire desks at Miami Airport? Yes. International arrivals must clear US immigration, collect baggage, and pass customs before travelling to the Rental Car Centre where the desks are.
Do domestic arrivals at MIA have to go through immigration before car hire? No. Domestic passengers do not go through immigration or customs, they go to baggage claim or exit, then take the MIA Mover to the Rental Car Centre.
Where exactly are the car hire desks at Miami International Airport? They are at the Miami Airport Rental Car Centre (RCC), reached from the terminals using the MIA Mover people mover.
Can someone meet me at the car hire desks if I am arriving internationally? They can, but you will not reach the desks until after immigration and customs, so your meeting time should include possible queue delays.
What is the quickest route from arrivals to the rental cars at MIA? Clear any required entry steps, then follow “Rental Cars” signs to the MIA Mover, ride it to the RCC, and proceed to your chosen counter.
