Complete guide to China train luggage rules—free allowance, size restrictions, banned items, pet transport, storage spots, and checked baggage rules for bullet/ordinary trains.
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China Train Luggage Policy Overview
Luggage rules are basically the same across China train routes, but there are some differences between high-speed rail (G/D/C trains, “bullet trains”) and ordinary trains (K/T/Z trains), mostly in size limits for carry-on items. Every passenger gets a free luggage allowance (no extra cost), and mobility aids like wheelchairs or strollers are exempt from all size/weight limits.
Most importantly, China's railways have strict safety regulations on items that cannot be carried. Starting from June 2025, they have expanded a pilot project allowing you to bring pets on some high-speed rail lines. The most important thing to remember is: Keep your bag within the weight and size limits and leave dangerous items at home.
China Train Luggage Allowance
China Train Baggage Allowance, D/ G Bullet Trains Luggage Limits
The free luggage weight allowance is the same for high-speed and ordinary trains, with tiered limits based on passenger type (no extra charge for items within these weights):
Passenger Type | Free Weight Allowance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Adult (16+ years) | 20kg (44 lbs) | Applies to both carry-on and checked baggage (combined total) |
Child (6–15 years, or under 1.5m tall) | 10kg (22 lbs) | Kids under 6/1.2m tall get no separate allowance (shares with guardian) |
Diplomatic Personnel | 35kg (77 lbs) | Requires valid diplomatic credentials |
Key Note These are all official regulations, but in actual operation, station staff seldom bother to weigh small or medium bags (such as backpacks or 24-inch suitcases). That is to say, if your luggage far exceeds the limit (30 kilograms or more), they will ask you to check it in and you will need to pay an additional fee (about ￥5 per kilogram for domestic flights).
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China Train Luggage Size Limits (Carry-On & Checked)
China Train Baggage Allowance, see D/ G Bullet Trains Luggage Limits
Size limits (sum of length, width & height) differ between high-speed and ordinary trains, this is the most strictly enforced rule (stations use size check frames for large bags):
1. Carry-On Luggage Size (On-Board Items)
Train Type | Max Carry-On Size (L+W+H) | Pole/long Items (e.g., fishing rods) | Special Exemptions |
|---|---|---|---|
High-Speed Rail (Bullet Trains) | ≤130cm (51 inches) | ≤130cm (≤20kg) | Wheelchairs/strollers (no size limit); hard-case packaged electric scooters/skates |
Ordinary Trains | ≤160cm (63 inches) | ≤200cm (≤20kg) | Same as high-speed rail |
2. Checked Luggage Size
If your luggage exceeds the carry-on luggage limit, you can check it in at the station. The size requirements for checked luggage are more lenient,
- Max size (L+W+H): ≤200cm (79 inches)
- Max weight per bag: ≤50kg (110 lbs) (excess weight incurs surcharges)
China Train Luggage Restrictions (What’s Allowed & Banned)
China Train Baggage | Allowance and Policy
China Railway prohibits the items with potential safety hazards and imposes quantity restrictions on daily necessities. These rules apply to all trains (high-speed rail is the most strictly enforced).
1. Strictly Banned Items (No Carry-On/Checked)
These items will be confiscated during security checks. Those who seriously violate the rules may be subject to legal penalties.
- Weapons/explosives: Firearms (real/imitation), ammunition, fireworks, explosives, stun guns, crossbows, pepper spray, spring knives/daggers (blades >60mm)
- Flammables/toxins: Gasoline, alcohol (containing 70%+ alcohol), magnesium powder, pesticides, mercury, cyanide and strong magnets (interfering with train signals)
- Other dangerous goods: rotten food (with a strong odor), biological hazards (pathogenic viruses), radioactive substances, and items of unknown or suspicious origin
2. Restricted Items (Allowed in Limited Quantities)
Common daily items are permitted but with strict quantity limits (just note that excess must be checked in or left behind):
Item | Allowance | Special Conditions |
|---|---|---|
Power Banks | ≤100Wh (27,027mAh) | Lithium batteries for electric wheelchairs are exempt |
Alcohol (24–70% ABV) | ≤3000ml total | Must be sealed, labeled, and unopened (no loose bottles) |
Cigarettes | ≤50 cartons | No limit on individual packs for personal use |
Lighters/Matchboxes | ≤2 lighters or 2 matchboxes | No bulk quantities (e.g., 10+ lighters) |
Perfume/Cooling Gel | ≤100ml per item (1 per type) | Flammable ingredients (e.g., ethanol) restricted |
Sunscreen/Body Sprays | ≤150ml per bottle (≤600ml total) | Only pressurized containers allowed |
Nail Polish | ≤50ml total | No polish remover with acetone (flammable) |
75% Alcohol Wipes | Unlimited (packaged) | Liquid alcohol bottles are banned (only wipes allowed) |
Guide Dogs | Allowed in cabins | Requires valid working certification and health docs |
| Train Route | Duration | Book Online |
|---|---|---|
| Hong Kong to Guangzhou | 47m | Book Ticket |
| Hong Kong to Shenzhen | 14m | Book Ticket |
| Guangzhou to Shenzhen | 29m | Book Ticket |
| Shanghai to Hangzhou | 39m | Book Ticket |
| Shanghai to Suzhou | 23m | Book Ticket |
| Chengdu to Chongqing | 1h 2m | Book Ticket |
| Shanghai to Nanjing | 1h 38m | Book Ticket |
| Beijing to Tianjin | 1h 2m | Book Ticket |
| Wuhan to Changsha | 1h 11m | Book Ticket |
| Train Route | Duration | Book Online |
|---|---|---|
| Beijing to Shanghai | 4h 18m | Book Ticket |
| Beijing to Xi'an | 4h 10m | Book Ticket |
| Hong Kong to Beijing | 8h 10m | Book Ticket |
| Hong Kong to Shanghai | 8h 6m | Book Ticket |
| Beijing to Guangzhou | 7h 17m | Book Ticket |
| Beijing to Chengdu | 7h 30m | Book Ticket |
| Shanghai to Chengdu | 11h 11m | Book Ticket |
| Beijing to Harbin | 4h 47m | Book Ticket |
| Beijing to Kunming | 10h 55m | Book Ticket |
Items Allowed in China Train - Checked Luggage
Some items are too dangerous to be carried on board, but they can be transported by checked luggage (you must place them in the luggage area at the station before boarding) :
Item Category | Examples | Rules |
|---|---|---|
Sharp Tools | Kitchen knives (>60mm blades), scissors, box cutters | Must be securely wrapped (like in a hard case) to prevent injury |
Blunt Objects | Baseball bats, pool cues, hockey sticks | No length restrictions (as long as it is ≤200cm total size) |
Heavy Tools | Axes, hammers, saws, welding torches | Agricultural tools (like sickles) also require checking |
Small Pets | Cats/dogs (non-guide animals) | Requires health certificates and advance booking (pls see pet chapter below) |
Key Tip Your checked luggage is on the same train (ordinary train) or a combined train (high-speed train) as you. You will receive a luggage tag and can collect your luggage at the luggage claim counter of your destination station within 3 days (free storage for 3 days, additional charges apply if you exceed 3 days).
China Train Luggage for Pets
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Only certified guide dogs (with working permits and health docs) are allowed in passenger cabins on all trains. For other pets (cats or dogs), China Railway’s 2025 expanded pilot program lets you transport pets on 38 high-speed trains across 8 major routes (for instance, Beijing-Shanghai, Beijing-Guangzhou, Shanghai-Kunming).
Eligibility for Pet Transport
- Allowed pets: Domestic cats/dogs only (no wild animals or aggressive breeds, 47 banned dog breeds, e.g., pit bulls)
- Size limits: ≤15kg (33 lbs) weight, ≤40cm (16 inches) shoulder height
- Health rules: Vaccinated (records required), not pregnant/nursing, and ≥15 weeks old (no puppies/kittens)
Pet Transport Pricing (Discounted Pilot Rates)
Fees are distance-based (30% off standard prices in 2025, includes ¥2,000 basic insurance):
Travel Distance | Discounted Price (¥ per pet) |
|---|---|
≤1,000km | 360 |
1,001–1,500km | 460 |
1,501–2,000km | 660 |
>2,000km | 860 |
How to Book Pet Transport
- Apply online through 12306.cn (train ticket link) at least two days before departure
- Bring relevant documents: your passport/ID card, your pet's 3-day health certificate and vaccination record
- Arrive at the station 2 to 6 hours in advance and check your pet at the luggage office (put it in a safe luggage rack).
- Pets travel in the designated cargo area (not the cabin) and reach the destination with you
Where to Store Luggage on China Trains (On-Board Spots)
Image source: Travel China Guide
Different types of trains have different storage spaces. The following are the luggage storage locations to avoid blocking the aisles or annoying other passengers:
1. High-Speed Rail (Bullet Trains)
- Overhead racks: For small bags (≤22 inches /20kg, such as backpacks, laptop bags)
- End-of-carriage zones: A dedicated large luggage area (capable of accommodating suitcases weighing 20 kilograms or over 24 inches, and most easily accessible to the first/last door)
- Seat gaps: Small bags (such as briefcases or shoulder bags) can be placed under the seat or between the feet
- Behind last-row seats: Extra space for medium-sized bags that can't fit overhead (such as a 24-inch suitcase)
Image source: Travel China Guide
2. Ordinary Trains (K/T/Z)
- Sleeper cabins:
- Lower bunk: Most suitable for large suitcases (≤24 inches)
- Overhead luggage rack in the aisle: For small/medium-sized luggage (watch weight limit to prevent dropping)
- Wall hooks: For wallets/backpacks (soft sleeper carriages)
- Seat carriages:
- Under the seat: Suitable for small bags (≤24 inches)
- Overhead luggage rack: For medium-sized luggage (larger suitcases may protrude and take up space)
Pro Tip Valuables such as mobile phones, passports, and cash should always be carried with you, but never leave them in unattended luggage storage areas.
China Train Luggage Storage (Station & Off-Board Options)
Luggage Storage of Shenzhen North Railway Station Editorial ...
If you have time between trains (e.g., a layover in Beijing or Shanghai), you can store your luggage at the station for convenience:
- Official left-luggage offices: Most major stations (such as Beijing South Railway Station and Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station) have 24/7 storage areas with lockers or counters. The price is calculated by size (¥10-30 per day) and is safe (ID card required for collection).
- Red-cap porter service: For heavy or large luggage, paid movers (in red uniforms) can help you move your luggage from the station entrance to the train carriage (¥10-30 per bag, only cash accepted).
- Private storage shops: Near the exit of the station, small stores offer cheap storage services (￥5 to 15 per bag per day), but they are not very safe (always carrying valuable items with you).
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FAQs about China Train Luggage
Can I bring luggage on a China train?
Yes—all passengers can bring luggage, as long as it’s within the free weight (20kg for adults) and size limits (≤130cm for bullet trains, ≤160cm for ordinary trains). Oversized bags can be checked in for a small fee.How much luggage are you allowed to take on a train?
Adults get a 20kg free allowance, children (6–15 years) get 10kg, and diplomatic personnel get 35kg. You can bring more than this but will pay excess weight fees (≈¥5/kg) for checked baggage.Can I take 40 kg in one bag on China train?
No—checked baggage has a 50kg max per bag, but 40kg is allowed only if you pay excess fees (your 20kg free allowance covers half the weight, so you’ll pay for the remaining 20kg). Carry-on bags cannot exceed 20kg (40kg bags will be rejected for on-board storage and required to check in).What is not allowed on the China bullet train?
Prohibited items include weapons/explosives, alcohol >70% ABV, strong magnets, biohazards, and sharp tools (e.g., switchblades). Restricted items (e.g., lighters, perfume) are allowed only in limited quantities (see restricted items section above).Can I bring a power bank on China bullet trains?
Yes—power banks ≤100Wh (27,027mAh) are allowed. Larger power banks (100–160Wh) require airline approval (not allowed on trains), and those >160Wh are banned entirely.Can I check luggage on China high-speed trains?
Yes, but high-speed trains don’t have dedicated baggage cars—checked luggage travels on a connected ordinary train and may arrive 1–3 days after you (≤600km trips take 3 days; +1 day per extra 600km). For same-day arrival, check luggage on ordinary trains instead.