Flight Baggage guide
China Domestic Flight Baggage and Security
Pack for China domestic flights by checking the exact airline fare allowance, cabin-liquid screening, medicines, batteries, valuables, and backup options.
Airline allowances, fare benefits, aircraft limits, security interpretations, and dangerous-goods rules can change. The operating airline, airport security, and current CAAC instructions control acceptance.
Quick answer
Verify the exact fare allowance, separate airline and security rules, pack liquids for screening, protect essential items, and leave time to repack or check a bag.
Use this practical sequence to prepare, act, and recover if the normal plan does not work:
- Open the operating airline's current booking or baggage page and record the cabin and checked allowance for the exact fare, route, and aircraft.
- Separate ordinary liquids and cosmetics before leaving the hotel; check nonessential items and keep only quantities that the current security rule permits for cabin inspection.
- Carry medically necessary liquids and supporting information where appropriate, declare them proactively, and allow time for security confirmation.
- Keep passport, money, keys, electronics, essential medicine, and valuables in personal control; handle power banks and spare batteries under the current dedicated rules.
Applies to foreign travelers taking a flight wholly within mainland china, passengers connecting from an international arrival to a domestic flight and being rescreened, travelers carrying cosmetics, medicines, liquids, batteries, valuables, or special equipment.
Key facts
Open the operating airline's current booking or baggage page and record the cabin and checked allowance for the exact fare, route, and aircraft.
Buy the official baggage option if worthwhile, repack within cabin limits, or change the fare before the deadline.
Use a lawful checked-bag option if permitted, return it to a non-traveling person, or surrender it; do not conceal it.
Explain the medical need, show supporting information if available, and follow the inspection process.
Airline fare rules and civil-aviation security rules both apply.
Security officers decide whether an item can enter the controlled area.
Step-by-step plan
- 01
Open the operating airline's current booking or baggage page and record the cabin and checked allowance for the exact fare, route, and aircraft.
- 02
Separate ordinary liquids and cosmetics before leaving the hotel; check nonessential items and keep only quantities that the current security rule permits for cabin inspection.
- 03
Carry medically necessary liquids and supporting information where appropriate, declare them proactively, and allow time for security confirmation.
- 04
Keep passport, money, keys, electronics, essential medicine, and valuables in personal control; handle power banks and spare batteries under the current dedicated rules.
- 05
Arrive with enough time to use an airline counter, repack, check an item, or lawfully surrender a prohibited item without missing the flight.
When the normal plan fails
The airline says the fare has no free checked bag.
Buy the official baggage option if worthwhile, repack within cabin limits, or change the fare before the deadline.
Security rejects a liquid container.
Use a lawful checked-bag option if permitted, return it to a non-traveling person, or surrender it; do not conceal it.
A medically necessary liquid needs extra screening.
Explain the medical need, show supporting information if available, and follow the inspection process.
The ticketing airline and operating airline differ.
Confirm the allowance with the operating carrier before travel and preserve the written booking terms.
Practical details
Source cross-check
This guide was checked against CAAC liquid and medicine guidance; CAAC passenger and baggage security rules; Air China's current baggage information as an airline example. They support separating security rules from fare allowances. The guide does not publish one universal weight allowance.
Phrase cards
Confirm allowance
English
Ask the airline to confirm the allowance for the exact ticket.
中文
请按我的具体机票和承运航空公司确认免费行李额。
Screen liquids
English
Ask whether liquids must be checked or surrendered.
中文
这些液体可以随身携带吗？如果不可以，请说明能否托运。
Declare medicine
English
Declare medically necessary liquid medicine.
中文
这是旅途中必需的液体药品，我愿意配合安全检查。
FAQ
- Is every container up to 100 mL allowed in the cabin?
- No. The limited domestic-flight exception is for travel cosmetics and remains subject to inspection; pack nonessential liquids in checked baggage.
- Is a 20 kg checked bag universal?
- No. Check the exact operating airline and fare.
Sources and review
- CAAC: air travel rules for liquids and medicinesOfficial · checked Aug 22, 2026
- CAAC: civil aviation passenger and baggage security inspection rulesOfficial · checked Aug 22, 2026
- Air China: current baggage transport informationOfficial · checked Aug 22, 2026
Visible guide facts must be supported by the page sources and rechecked before the next update date.
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