Last updated: 29 October 2026. On codeshare flights the operating or marketing airline's rules apply, as the system shows for your booking.
Currencies: international excess baggage is charged in Chinese yuan (CNY) when the journey starts in mainland China, in euros (EUR) when it starts in Europe, and in US dollars (USD) otherwise. Pet fees are in CNY.
Cabin baggage
First
- Pieces
- 2
- Weight per piece
- 8 kg
- Size per piece
- 55 x 40 x 20 cm (22 x 16 x 8 in)
Business, Premium Economy, Economy
- Pieces
- 1
- Weight per piece
- 8 kg
- Size per piece
- 55 x 40 x 20 cm (22 x 16 x 8 in)
- The same limits apply on domestic and international flights.
- Allowed on top of that: a compact laptop case, camera pouch, briefcase or handbag stowed under the seat ahead; infant food; a baby basket and a folding pram; and a foldable manual wheelchair, crutches, braces or other mobility aids you rely on.
- Carry-on items must fit under the seat in front or in the closed storage. Anything over the number, weight or size is checked at the counter or kiosk and charged as excess baggage. Items over the limit are charged at the boarding gate at the excess rate, and free or prepaid baggage cannot be used at the gate.
- Batteries and liquids follow the airline's lithium battery and liquids rules; liquids in the cabin are limited to 100 ml containers.
Free checked baggage
Domestic flights within mainland China
40 kg
- Business
- 30 kg
- Premium Economy
- 20 kg
- Economy
- 20 kg
- A child has the same allowance as an adult. An infant without a seat has no free allowance but may bring a collapsible stroller free.
- Some products have no free checked baggage; the ticket shows the actual allowance.
- On a domestic segment of an international ticket, the international allowance applies.
International and regional flights
All international and regional itineraries count baggage by pieces. Each piece may be up to 158 cm (L + W + H).
First
- Americas, Southwest Pacific, Middle East, Africa or Japan to or via mainland China
- 3 pieces of 32 kg
- All other itineraries
- 3 pieces of 32 kg
Business
- Americas, Southwest Pacific, Middle East, Africa or Japan to or via mainland China
- 2 pieces of 32 kg
- All other itineraries
- 2 pieces of 32 kg
Premium Economy Full Flex, Flex
- Americas, Southwest Pacific, Middle East, Africa or Japan to or via mainland China
- 2 pieces of 23 kg
- All other itineraries
- 2 pieces of 23 kg
Premium Economy Standard
- Americas, Southwest Pacific, Middle East, Africa or Japan to or via mainland China
- 2 pieces of 23 kg
- All other itineraries
- 1 piece of 23 kg
Economy Full Flex, Flex
- Americas, Southwest Pacific, Middle East, Africa or Japan to or via mainland China
- 2 pieces of 23 kg
- All other itineraries
- 2 pieces of 23 kg
Economy Standard
- Americas, Southwest Pacific, Middle East, Africa or Japan to or via mainland China
- 2 pieces of 23 kg
- All other itineraries
- 1 piece of 23 kg
Economy Saver
- Americas, Southwest Pacific, Middle East, Africa or Japan to or via mainland China
- 1 piece of 23 kg
- All other itineraries
- 1 piece of 23 kg
Economy Light
- Americas, Southwest Pacific, Middle East, Africa or Japan to or via mainland China
- None
- All other itineraries
- None
- Economy Light is a branded fare on some routes with no free checked baggage.
- A child or infant with a seat gets the same allowance as an adult, plus a pushchair or stroller. An infant without a seat gets 1 piece of 10 kg (115 cm in total dimensions) and a stroller.
- International students (travelling between the country of study and the country of nationality, with passport, visa and study certificate) who buy a Business, Premium Economy or Economy Full Flex or Flex fare can add one more piece. Routes: mainland China with Europe, the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and South Korea; mainland China with Hong Kong and Macau; mainland China with Taiwan.
- Labour passengers (working outside their home country, with passport and labour visa) on an Economy Standard fare get one more piece between Europe, Southeast Asia, South Asia, Central and West Asia, South Korea, Mongolia, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan and mainland China.
- Neither extra piece is added on top of a Sky Pearl Platinum, Gold or Silver allowance, or an Elite or Elite Plus allowance from a partner airline.
- If you change a ticket, the free allowance follows the fare on the date of exchange when the first fare component changes, and the original fare when it does not. Involuntary cabin changes keep the original cabin's allowance.
Sky Pearl Club members: extra free baggage
Sky Pearl Club cardholders get extra free checked baggage on top of the fare allowance:
Platinum
- Domestic (China)
- 30 kg extra
- International or regional
- 1 extra piece
Gold
- Domestic (China)
- 20 kg extra
- International or regional
- 1 extra piece
Silver
- Domestic (China)
- 10 kg extra
- International or regional
- 1 extra piece
The airline also lists priority baggage check-in (Platinum and Gold can bring companions). Elite and Elite Plus members of partner airlines in SkyTeam get their own allowance; the airline lists that on a separate partner benefits page that we did not read, so check your booking. Students and labour passengers do not add the extra piece on top of these.
Where China Southern flies: regions used in its rules
- Europe: including Albania, Algeria, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia (European part), Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, the United Kingdom and others the airline lists.
- Southwest Pacific: Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, French Polynesia, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Vanuatu and the other islands the airline lists.
- Middle East: United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Israel, Jordan, Bahrain, Lebanon, Iraq, Egypt, Syria, Sudan, Oman, Yemen and others on its list.
- Central and West Asia: Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Iran, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Armenia and Russia (Asian part).
- Also used: the Americas, Africa, Japan, South Korea, Southeast Asia, South Asia (including India), Mongolia, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan.
Excess baggage
Does the price depend on when you pay?
China Southern publishes one excess baggage price per type of excess, charged at the airport counter or kiosk. It also sells prepaid luggage online before the trip, but we have not read those prices. Paying at the boarding gate is charged at the excess rate and your free baggage cannot be used there. Pay extra baggage at the airport counter or kiosk.
Domestic flights within mainland China
Each excess kilogram is charged at 1.5 percent of the published full adult one-way economy fare on the day the excess baggage ticket is made out. If no direct fare is published, the fares of the segments are added up first.
International and regional flights
Area 1: mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan with the Americas and Africa; the Americas with Japan, South Korea, Southeast Asia, South Asia, Central and West Asia, Southwest Pacific, Europe, Middle East and Africa; Africa with Japan, South Korea, Southeast Asia, South Asia, Central and West Asia, Southwest Pacific and Europe.
First extra piece
- Limit
- up to 23 kg, 158 cm
- CNY
- 1,380
- EUR
- 175
- USD
- 180
Second extra piece or more
- Limit
- up to 23 kg, 158 cm
- CNY
- 2,000
- EUR
- 250
- USD
- 285
Oversize piece
- Limit
- 159 to 203 cm
- CNY
- 1,000
- EUR
- 130
- USD
- 145
Overweight piece
- Limit
- 23 to 28 kg
- CNY
- 500
- EUR
- 65
- USD
- 75
Overweight piece
- Limit
- 28 to 32 kg
- CNY
- 1,010
- EUR
- 130
- USD
- 145
Overweight piece
- Limit
- 32 to 45 kg
- CNY
- 3,000
- EUR
- 370
- USD
- 420
Area 2: mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan with Europe, the Middle East, Southwest Pacific and Japan; Europe with Japan, South Korea, Southeast Asia, South Asia, Central and West Asia and Southwest Pacific; the Middle East with Japan, South Korea, Southeast Asia, South Asia, Central and West Asia and Southwest Pacific; Southwest Pacific with Japan, South Korea, Southeast Asia, South Asia and Central and West Asia; Japan with South Korea, Southeast Asia, South Asia and Central and West Asia.
First extra piece
- Limit
- up to 23 kg, 158 cm
- CNY
- 1,100
- EUR
- 140
- USD
- 160
Second extra piece or more
- Limit
- up to 23 kg, 158 cm
- CNY
- 2,000
- EUR
- 250
- USD
- 285
Oversize piece
- Limit
- 159 to 203 cm
- CNY
- 1,000
- EUR
- 130
- USD
- 145
Overweight piece
- Limit
- 23 to 28 kg
- CNY
- 500
- EUR
- 65
- USD
- 75
Overweight piece
- Limit
- 28 to 32 kg
- CNY
- 1,010
- EUR
- 130
- USD
- 145
Area 3: mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan with South Korea, Southeast Asia, South Asia and Central and West Asia, and any other itinerary not named above. This is the area for China to India.
First extra piece
- Limit
- up to 23 kg, 158 cm
- CNY
- 880
- USD
- 125
Second extra piece or more
- Limit
- up to 23 kg, 158 cm
- CNY
- 1,430
- USD
- 200
Oversize piece
- Limit
- 159 to 203 cm
- CNY
- 1,000
- USD
- 145
Overweight piece
- Limit
- 23 to 28 kg
- CNY
- 390
- USD
- 60
Overweight piece
- Limit
- 28 to 32 kg
- CNY
- 910
- USD
- 130
- If a bag breaks more than one limit (pieces, size, weight), the charges add up.
- The domestic and international rates apply on flights actually operated by China Southern.
- The 32 to 45 kg overweight band is listed only for Area 1.
Special baggage
Weight and size
Special baggage may weigh up to 50 kg and 260 cm in total on domestic flights, and up to 32 kg on international or regional flights (45 kg when the trip involves the United States), also 260 cm in total. At Beijing Daxing on international flights the length must be at most 200 cm and the width and height each at most 100 cm.
Sports equipment
Golf, bicycles, bowling, skiing, skating, diving, shooting, field hockey, ice hockey, tennis, mountaineering, fishing and archery equipment normally count toward your free allowance. Ordinary baggage is counted first; any excess is charged per piece by weight band on domestic routes: up to 3 kg RMB 68, 3 to 8 kg RMB 168, 8 to 15 kg RMB 298, 15 to 23 kg RMB 498, 23 to 32 kg RMB 698, 32 to 50 kg RMB 998. On connecting domestic flights each segment is paid separately.
International sports equipment
Each passenger can check one set of golf equipment (up to 23 kg and 158 cm) or one set of ski equipment (up to 23 kg and 203 cm) free, in addition to the free allowance. Second and later sets count toward the allowance. Fishing gear (one set) is included in the free allowance up to 23 kg and 158 cm. Other equipment counts toward the allowance up to 23 kg and 158 cm. Any excess weight or size is charged at the normal excess rates, with oversize at the 159 to 203 cm rate.
Not included in free baggage, charged per piece
Kayaks, rowing boats, canoes, rafts and inflatable boats, paragliding and parachuting gear, windsurfing boards, surfboards, oars, vaulting poles, javelins and equestrian equipment.
What a set means
A golf set is one bag with up to 14 clubs and 12 balls plus one pair of shoes; a ski set is one pair of skis, poles and boots; a fishing set is one tackle box, one reel, one pair of boots, two rods and a landing net; a bowling set is up to 3 balls, a bag and shoes. Bicycles must be non-electric with deflated tyres, handlebars turned and fixed, pedals and wheels removed and tied to the frame. Surfboards need fins removed, nose and tail protected and a padded bag.
Pets in the cabin
Dogs and cats only, in economy class on selected China Southern direct flights, one pet per passenger and at most four pets per flight (not on the C909 or ARJ21). Register at least 6 hours before departure through the airline's app, mini-program or H5, and arrive at the counter 2 hours before. The carrier under the seat may be at most 35 x 28 x 24 cm. Fees per segment: domestic flights under 2,000 km RMB 1,299; domestic 2,000 km or more RMB 1,499; international and regional RMB 2,299. If you buy 1 extra seat for a pet carrier the fee is RMB 400 (domestic) or RMB 600 (international), and for 2 seats RMB 600 or RMB 800, with carriers up to 58 x 40 x 35 cm. Dogs must wear a muzzle and pets a disposable diaper. Short-nosed breeds (pugs, bulldogs, boxers, shih tzus, Pekingese, Persian and similar cats and others on the airline list) and animals under 8 weeks are not accepted. Service animals have no limit on number.
Pets as checked baggage
Dogs, cats, birds and other household pets can be accepted at the airline's discretion and only on direct China Southern flights on tickets starting with 784; the number of animals per flight is limited. Apply at least 4 hours before a domestic departure and 6 hours before an international one, and check in 120 minutes before departure with a quarantine certificate (and, internationally, a rabies certificate). A cage may be at most 90 x 60 x 66 cm and the animal, cage and food at most 32 kg. Fees are charged separately and do not use your free allowance. Domestic fares per pet by distance: up to 800 km RMB 398 (under 8 kg), 498 (8 to 15 kg), 698 (15 to 23 kg), 898 (23 to 32 kg); 800 to 1,600 km 498, 598, 798, 998; 1,600 to 2,400 km 598, 698, 898, 1,098; over 2,400 km 698, 798, 1,098, 1,398 (this covers the counter service, lounge, insurance up to RMB 8,000 and other services at the main airports; other airports pay the excess rate per kg). International: 2 to 8 kg RMB 1,380 (USD 200, EUR 190); 8 to 23 kg RMB 2,100 (USD 300, EUR 280); 23 to 32 kg RMB 3,500 (USD 500, EUR 470), in USD from the US and EUR from the Eurozone. Be careful when temperatures anywhere on the trip are forecast at or below minus 12 degrees or at or above 30 degrees. Service dogs travel free with their cage and food without using free allowance. Snub-nosed breeds, animals under 8 weeks and pregnant animals are not accepted.
Musical instruments
China Southern's baggage pages publish no separate rule for instruments. One that fits the cabin bag size can be your cabin bag; a larger one is checked within the allowance or paid as excess baggage.
Prepaid luggage
China Southern sells prepaid luggage online before the trip, usable only at the check-in counter and not at the gate. Its price is shown only when you search a booking, not on the public baggage pages.
Restricted items
Not carried at all: explosives, compressed and toxic gases, pepper spray, flammable liquids and solids, oxidisers, toxic and infectious substances, radioactive and corrosive material, controlled knives, firearms and toy guns (sport firearms can be checked), lithium metal batteries over 2 g (8 g for medical devices), lithium-ion batteries over 160 Wh, spare batteries that are not clearly labelled, hoverboards, e-bikes and similar scooters, smart luggage with non-removable batteries over 0.3 g or 2.7 Wh, strong-smelling items, self-heating food, homemade or over-70-percent alcohol. Cabin only: all spare batteries and power banks, and e-cigarettes. Hold only: sports equipment, sharp objects, electric and non-folding wheelchairs, detached stretchers, and permitted alcohol. Fragile items, perishables, valuables over RMB 2,000, cash, jewellery, documents, medical records and keys should travel in the cabin, because the airline is liable for them only as ordinary items in the hold.
Questions travellers ask us
How much cabin baggage can I take?
One bag of 8 kg (55 x 40 x 20 cm) in economy, business and premium economy; two in first. A small computer or handbag may also go under the seat.
Do I get checked baggage free?
It depends on the fare. Economy Saver is 1 bag of 23 kg, Standard and Flex fares 1 to 2 bags of 23 kg, and Economy Light none. Business is 2 bags of 32 kg. Not every economy ticket includes 2 bags of 23 kg: the cheaper fares include fewer.
Can I take one heavy bag instead of two bags?
No. A single bag may not exceed 32 kg (23 kg is the usual economy limit per piece), and a heavier bag pays the overweight fee.
How much is an extra bag from India or to India?
Area 3: CNY 880 (about USD 125) for the first extra bag up to 23 kg and CNY 1,430 (USD 200) for the second.
Can I carry a guitar or a bicycle?
A guitar that fits the cabin bag limit can be carried as your cabin bag; a larger one is checked. A non-electric bicycle is checked within the free allowance if it fits the size and weight limits.
What is the heaviest single bag?
32 kg on international flights (45 kg with an overweight fee on the longest Area 1 trips), and 158 cm in total dimensions.
Baggage Allowance is an independent information site and is not part of China Southern.
Latest 30 of 95 questions
Also as the negative covid test is no longer required does the Health Code app still need to be completed to board flight.
Many thanks
Alan
Yes, cabin bag and personal items are also free in addition to check in bag. Normally, check in bag is only mentioned in the ticket. For the Health Code app, please check with the airline.
We have these queries regarding not being able to pay for extra baggage online on Chinese airline. Unfortunately, the only way out is to pay it at the airport.
2 bags of 23 kg each is the free allowance per adult or child passenger.
Thank you for your help.
Stuart Mullord
Since all children are above 2 years of age, they are entitled to same allowance as that of adults.
If tickets booked are in Economy, check in allowance is 1 bag of 23 kg per passenger. If tickets booked are in Premium Economy, then check-in allowance is 1 bag of 32 kg. Stroller can be taken in check-in baggage. It has to be fully collapsible.
2 bags of 23 kg each is free allowance for economy class traveler in check in baggage. Sum of dimensions shall be 158 cm in linear dimensions. You can also bring 1 cabin bag of up to 5 kg.
Basic economy ticket does not have free allowance. Economy class tickets are allowed 1 bag of up to 23 kg and the Premium Economy tickets are allowed 2 bags of 23 kg each.
Secondly I am moving countries, if I have 2x 23kg allowance can one of these be used to transport my dog ?
Thank you
If you take 1 bag of 30 kg instead of allowance of 2 bags of 23 kg each, you will be charged for excess baggage. Carriage of pets is dealt with separately.
If guitar is of size as mentioned in cabin baggage allowance, it can be taken as a part of cabin bag but if the size is more, you will have to buy a seat to take it in cabin, else take it in check-in luggage.
I also with to bring a bicycle. Is the size of the box for the bicycle still totalling 158 cm? Or is it 203 cm? Do I need to pay additional for the bike if the box is over 158 cm? Is this per leg (3), or per direction e.g. Sydney to Astana, and Astana to Sydney?
The size of each checkin bag shall be less than 158 cm linear dimensions. If this can be carried within free allowance limits, there shall not be a need to pay for it. However, we still advise you to confirm it with the airport office of the airline.
You have not mentioned the cabin class of travel. If it is economy, you are allowed 2 bags of 23 kg each per passenger (adult or child) in check-in luggage. Cabin baggage allowance is of 1 pcs of 5 kg per passenger.
Yes, it has to be taken in hand baggage.
This is a connecting flight of China Southern. You have not mentioned the fare type booked.
Please mention the query.
You have to tell us which is the first carrier and which is the second carrier.
Cabin allowance is of 5 kg and check in allowance is of 2 bags of 23 kg each in economy class ticket. Please also check you airline ticket as the allowance is given on ticket. Backpack will be taken as another cabin baggage. We suggest that you take only cabin bag and one standard laptop bag..
2 bags of 23 kg each is the free allownace in check in for the economy class travelers. 1 cabin bag of up to 5 kg is the free allowance for hand baggage.
Sorry for the earlier reply. It was for China Eastern. For China Southern, and for your route where KLM is expected to be a codeshare partner, the allowance of respective airlines will apply. So, KLM might allow 1 check in bag of 23 kg, China Southern will allow 2 bags of 23 k each for economy class travelers.
how I can apply for the second luggage ? or I don't need to apply for second luggage ?
Students are allowed to take one additional check in baggage. For this they need to apply. Students have to provide to the agency where they booked tickets, the following docs: Tickets, passport copies, student card, school admission.
How many litter alcohol limit is in china southern airlines ?!
No clarity about this from airline. Please check with the local airline office directly. Generally, airlines do not mind your taking 2 bottles of liquor in check in baggage in sealed condition and upon declarations.
Yes, one extra check in baggage is allowed for students.
2 bags of 23 kg is check in baggage allowance for economy and premium economy passenger. 10 kg in cabin baggage allowed.
Sorry for late reply. 2 bags of 23 kg each can be taken in economy class for free. 1 cabin bag of up to 5 kg is also free.
Please check with the airline directly or lodge a complaint both with the airline, airport authorities and local police.
From/to USA or Canada, allowance is 2 bags of 23 kg each per passenger in check in baggage for economy class travelers. Cabin allowance is of 5 kg for economy class travelers.
2 bags of 23 kg each is the check in baggage allowance for adults and children more than 2 years of age. Size has to be up to 158 cm in sum of dimensions (l+b+h).Cabin allowance is of 1 bag of up to 5 kg.
2 bags of 23 kg each is free check-in allowance. 1 cabin bag of up to 5 kg is also free per passenger
Allowance for cabin baggage is 5 kg as well along with the check in baggage allowance of 2 bags of 23 kg each.
Has the ticket been booked on or before 20 May, 2019? Allowance rules have changed for tickets booked on or after this date.
2 bags of 23 kg each is the allowance in check in baggage