Full-service carriers typically include 20kg (domestic, weight system) or 1-2 x 23kg pieces internationally; LCCs like Spring and Scoot sell baggage separately. Carry-on is generally 1 piece of 5-7kg.
Open an airline below for detailed rules:
Two systems: weight vs piece
Decode the system first. Weight concept (mainland domestic, some SIA routes) caps total kilograms — 20kg economy, 30kg business, 40kg first domestically — any number of bags. Piece concept (most international) counts bags with per-bag limits: economy 1–2 x 23kg, business 2 x 32kg, 158cm max per piece. One airline can use both systems on different routes; your ticket receipt is authoritative.
LCCs form a third family: zero checked allowance on base fares, with 15/20/25kg tiers sold separately — Spring domestic standard fares and Scoot/HK Express base fares included. Always compare totals with baggage added.
Carry-on: where travellers get caught
Cabin limits bite harder than people expect: mainland full-service carriers allow 5–8kg (55x40x20cm) in economy, HK/Taiwan carriers 7kg (56x36x23cm), and LCCs enforce at the gate — Spring charges ¥300–500 for oversize at boarding. Most carriers also allow a personal item (laptop bag, handbag): that's the right place for dense items.
Lithium rules have no exceptions: power banks and spare batteries fly cabin-only, max 100Wh each (100–160Wh needs approval; above is forbidden). Liquids: 100ml per container, 1L total in cabin.
Excess baggage: paying the least
The same extra bag can differ several-fold by channel: cheapest online 48h+ ahead, dearer at check-in, most expensive at the gate. Roughly, domestic excess runs ~1.5% of the full economy fare per kg; a second international piece bought online saves 30–50% versus airport rates. With lots of luggage, upgrading to a higher fare bundle (or an early-bird business fare) often beats paying excess.
Declare special items ahead: golf and ski gear usually count within allowance or at flat fees; bicycles need packing and 48h notice; instruments travel as cabin (small), on a purchased seat (valuable) or checked; pets require advance booking of limited cabin/hold slots.
Delayed, damaged, lost
Bag missing? File a PIR at the baggage desk before leaving the hall, keeping boarding pass and tags — late filing wrecks claims. On international itineraries the Montreal Convention covers necessary purchases (keep receipts); 21 days undelivered counts as lost, compensated by weight or proven value. Damage must also be logged on the spot with photos. Valuables are excluded from checked-bag liability — cameras, jewellery and documents belong in the cabin.
International economy allowance by airline
| Airline | Checked | Carry-on |
|---|---|---|
| Air China (CA) | International economy: 1 x 23kg on most routes; 2 x 23kg on Americas/Japan routes (fare-dependent); max 158cm per piece. | Economy 1 piece, max 5kg, 55x40x20cm; First/Business 2 pieces, 8kg each. |
| China Eastern Airlines (MU) | International economy typically 1 x 23kg; 2 x 23kg on North America and some long-haul routes; max 158cm per piece. | 1 piece, 55x40x20cm, ~8-10kg depending on route; business 2 pieces. |
| China Southern Airlines (CZ) | Up to 2 x 23kg depending on route (2x23kg Americas, 1x23kg many Asia/Europe routes); max 158cm per piece. | Economy 1 piece, max 8kg (domestic often 5kg), 55x40x20cm; First/Business 2 pieces. |
| Hainan Airlines (HU) | 1 x 23kg on most international routes; 2 x 23kg to/from Americas and some long-haul routes; max 158cm per piece. | 1 bag + 1 personal item (30x30x20cm); bag 55x40x20cm; ~7kg domestic, ~10kg international economy. |
| Sichuan Airlines (3U) | Standard economy 1 x 23kg (some routes/fares 2 x 23kg; business 2 x 32kg). | Economy 1 piece, max 8kg, 20x40x55cm; business 2 pieces; plus a small personal item. |
| XiamenAir (MF) | Economy Standard 1 x 23kg; Economy Flex 2 x 23kg; 2 x 23kg on North America routes; max 158cm per piece. | Economy 1 piece, max 5kg, total dimensions <=115cm; First 2 pieces. |
| Juneyao Airlines (HO) | 1 x 23kg on most intl/regional routes; 2 x 23kg on Japan/Korea/Singapore routes. | Economy 1 piece, max 5kg, 55x40x20cm; Business 2 pieces x 5kg. |
| Spring Airlines (9C) | LCC model: standard intl fares include ~15kg combined free allowance; basic web fares may include no checked bag; buying extra kg in advance is much cheaper than at the airport. | 1 piece, max 7kg, 20x30x40cm (SpringPlus 10kg); strictly enforced with gate fees for oversize. |
| Cathay Pacific (CX) | Piece system: Economy Light 1 x 23kg; Essential/Flex 2 x 23kg (max 158cm per piece). | 1 piece, 7kg, max 56x36x23cm, plus one small personal item. |
| China Airlines (CI) | Piece system: Economy Discount (L) 1 x 23kg; Basic/Standard/Flex 2 x 23kg (max 158cm per piece). | 1 piece, 7kg, max 56x36x23cm, plus one personal item. |
| EVA Air (BR) | Piece system worldwide: Economy 2 x 23kg; Premium Economy 2 x 23kg; Business 2 x 32kg (max 158cm). | 1 piece, 7kg, max 56x36x23cm, plus one personal item. |
| Singapore Airlines (SQ) | Weight system: Economy Lite/Value 25kg, Standard/Flexi 30kg; US/Canada routes piece system 2 x 23kg. | Economy/Premium Economy 1 piece, 7kg, max 115cm total; Business/First 2 pieces, 7kg each. |
| Scoot (TR) | LCC model: no free checked bag in Economy; buy 20-40kg add-on tiers; ScootPlus includes 30kg (max 32kg per bag, 158cm). | Economy 2 pieces combined max 10kg; ScootPlus 15kg. |
All airlines
Air ChinaChina Eastern AirlinesChina Southern AirlinesHainan AirlinesShanghai AirlinesShenzhen AirlinesSichuan AirlinesXiamenAirShandong AirlinesJuneyao AirlinesSpring AirlinesCathay PacificHong Kong AirlinesHK ExpressAir MacauChina AirlinesEVA AirSTARLUX AirlinesTigerair TaiwanSingapore AirlinesScoot
Frequently asked questions
Do bags through-check on connections?
On one ticket, normally yes (customs at first entry point may require a pick-up-and-drop); separate tickets always require re-check — allow 3+ hours.
Do strollers and wheelchairs count?
No. Strollers check free and usually travel to the gate; wheelchairs are carried free, with battery type declared in advance for powered chairs.
Can companions pool allowance?
Usually yes under the weight system when checking in together; never under the piece system.
Discovered excess at the airport?
Buying in the app before reaching the counter is still cheaper; otherwise shift dense items to cabin/personal item — the gate is the most expensive place to solve it.