Hello.

I'm traveling home from Canada. My first stop in the US is Philidelphia Airport. I understand that I need to collect my bags and go to customs. I was looking at the PHL map and there is a baggage claim for my terminal (which is C) and there is also a baggage claim in the customs hall. Do I collect my bags in the terminal C baggage claim or do I collect them at the customs hall. I don't have very much time to get to my connecting flight so I don't want to make the mistake of going to the wrong area and then missing my plane. I've never done US Customs before as this is my first international trip.

Which Canadian airport?

You might find you do American immigration/customs before you board the plane.

If not, you will be directed to the correct place at PHL, Immigration (the most likely place for long lines), baggage pickup in customs hall, then customs line exit.

I fly out of Pearson.

Just noted that you are arriving at Terminal C at PHL, which is a domestic terminal, so you will do immigration/customs at Pearson.

Pearson has US Customs Pre-Clearance so afterbyou checkin for your flight you'll be directed to the US Immigration & Customs area where you'll pre-clear I&C before boarding your aircraft.

When you land in the US you'll go to the Baggage Claim area in the terminal where you land. The Flight Attendan or Gate Agent will usually make announcement telling you which carrousel your bags will be delivered to.

So at Pearson, is immigration/customs before security or after security? Also, thank you so much for your help.

I still have to collect my bags in PHL before getting on my connecting flight to another airport?

After you check in for your flight at Pearson, you'll clear US Immigration & Customs then proceed to the Security Checkpoint and then on to your departure gate.

Assuming your connecting flight in PHL is on the same or partner airline or if a different airline (that's not a partner) and your airlines has a baggage handling arrangement with the connecting airline your bags will be checked all the way through to your final destination - so no need for you to claim your bags in PHL.

Roams has it right. You'll go through pre-clearance at Pearson, which means your status (and your baggage status) will be treated as domestic. To confirm that your bags will be transferred to your connecting flight in PHL -- almost a certainty -- just ask at the check-in desk at Pearson.