China Airlines Baggage Policy 2026: Allowance, Fees & Sizes 

China Airlines allows Economy passengers 1–2 checked bags at 23 kg (50 lbs) each, Premium Economy 2 bags at 28 kg (61 lbs), and Business 2 bags at 32 kg (70 lbs). Carry-on is one bag up to 7 kg (15 lbs) sized 56 x 36 x 23 cm, plus one personal item.

Packing for a China Airlines flight gets a lot easier once you know the rules. Get them wrong, and you could face excess baggage fees of up to USD $280 per piece at the airport. Get them right, and you’ll breeze through check-in without a surprise charge.

What is the China Airlines baggage allowance?

China Airlines gives passengers a free baggage allowance based on cabin class and route. Economy travelers get 1–2 checked bags at 23 kg each, Premium Economy gets 2 bags at 28 kg, and Business Class gets 2 bags at 32 kg. Every bag must stay within 158 cm total dimensions (length + width + height).

Here’s how the free checked allowance breaks down for international flights:

A key detail competitors often miss: Economy allowance varies by booking class, not just “Economy.” A Discount fare (booking class L) gets just 1 piece on most routes, while Standard and Flex fares (T/V/K/M/B/Y) get 2 pieces. On Trans-Tasman routes between Australia and New Zealand, Discount and Basic fares get zero free checked bags a costly surprise if you don’t check first.

Frequent flyer bonus: Dynasty Flyer members earn extra free bags on China Airlines and Mandarin Airlines international flights.

• Gold members: +1 extra piece
• Emerald members: +1 extra piece
• Paragon members: +2 extra pieces

What is the China Airlines carry-on size and weight limit?

China Airlines carry-on baggage must not exceed 56 x 36 x 23 cm (22 x 14 x 9 inches) and 7 kg (15 lbs) per piece. These limits apply to every cabin class. Each passenger may also bring one free personal item such as a handbag, laptop bag, or small camera that fits under the seat in front.

Carry-on pieces by cabin:

Business Class passengers can carry two cabin bags, and one may be a garment bag as long as it doesn’t exceed 20 cm in thickness once folded.

One thing worth knowing: some airports enforce stricter cabin limits on single-aisle aircraft. Even a compliant bag may get checked into the hold if the overhead bins are full, which could trigger excess fees. Use the baggage sizer at the counter or gate to be sure.

What are the China Airlines checked baggage rules?

China Airlines checked baggage must not exceed 158 cm (62 inches) in total dimensions or the class weight limit 23 kg (Economy), 28 kg (Premium Economy), or 32 kg (Business). No single bag over 32 kg is accepted as standard checked baggage without special approval.

Two systems apply depending on your route:

• Piece system: Used for flights to/from the US, Canada, and parts of South and Central America. Allowance is counted by number of bags.
• Weight system: Used for most other international routes. On domestic flights the free weights are lower 20 kg (Economy), 35 kg (Business), and 40 kg (First Class).

Overweight edge cases to remember:

• Bags 32–45 kg require advance approval and are charged as 3 pieces of excess baggage.
• Bags over 45 kg cannot travel as checked baggage they must ship as cargo.
• Fragile, perishable, and valuable items should go in your carry-on, not the hold.

How much are China Airlines baggage fees?

China Airlines excess baggage fees vary by route zone. For Zone 4 flights (Europe, Africa, and the Middle East), expect around USD $280 per extra piece at the airport, or about USD $252 per piece when prepaid online a 5% saving. Oversized and overweight surcharges are calculated as fractions or multiples of the standard piece rate.

Oversized baggage charges (by total dimensions):

Overweight baggage charges (per bag):

Cost breakdown example: Say you’re flying Economy from Europe to Taipei with one bag weighing 27 kg 4 kg over the 23 kg limit. Because the bag is over the limit but under 32 kg, you pay a 0.5 piece overweight charge, roughly USD $140 at the airport. Prepaying online would trim that by 5%. Repacking that 4 kg into a second bag instead may be cheaper if you have unused piece allowance.

How do you buy extra China Airlines baggage online?

China Airlines lets you prepay excess baggage online after booking and up to 4 hours before departure, at a 5% discount versus airport rates. Each passenger can buy a maximum of five extra pieces per sector. Prepaid allowance is non-transferable and refundable within two years if unused.

Prepaid excess baggage is only available on tickets issued by China Airlines (297) or Mandarin Airlines (803) for their operated or bilateral code-share flights. It does not apply to group tickets (booking class G) or mileage cabin upgrades those require contacting customer service.

What are the rules for special items and equipment?

China Airlines accepts most sports equipment, musical instruments, infant gear, and medical devices. Many count toward your free checked allowance, but oversized items over 292 cm (115 in) incur a 2-piece surcharge. Notify the airline in advance for medical equipment and pets to secure approval.

Sports equipment
Bicycles, golf clubs, fishing gear, diving equipment, hockey and lacrosse gear, archery sets, bowling equipment, surfboards, windsurfing boards, and kayaks are limited by weight only, not total size. Standard excess fees apply if you exceed your weight or piece allowance. Don’t pack non-sports items in the same package it may be reclassified as oversized.

Musical instruments

• Small instruments (violin, flute, guitar): carried in the cabin, max 100 x 36 x 23 cm and 7 kg including the case.
• Oversized instruments: treated as checked baggage, subject to the 292 cm limit.

Infants and children

• Infants without a seat: 1 checked bag (adult class weight applies), plus either a collapsible stroller or a car seat not both.
• Children with a seat: same allowance as an adult in their travel class.

Medical equipment (CPAP machines)
No medical certificate is required, and you may use a CPAP during the flight. In-seat power isn’t guaranteed, so bring spare batteries covering 1.5 times your flight duration. Notify the China Airlines Reservation Centre at least two working days before departure.

Tips to avoid China Airlines excess baggage fees

A little preparation saves both money and stress at the counter:

• Weigh bags at home with a portable luggage scale before you leave.
• Prepay online to lock in the 5% discount and skip counter queues.
• Redistribute weight across bags if one is close to the limit a 0.5 piece overweight charge often costs more than a spare piece of allowance.
• Check your booking class, not just your cabin, since Economy allowances differ.
• Attach a tracking tag to valuable bags for peace of mind.

Frequently asked questions

Can you bring liquids in checked baggage on China Airlines?
Yes. Liquids can go in checked baggage freely. In carry-on bags, containers must hold 100 ml (3.4 oz) or less and fit inside one transparent, resealable 1-liter bag, following standard international security rules.

What is the China Airlines carry-on weight limit?
The carry-on weight limit is 7 kg (15 lbs) per piece across all cabin classes. Each bag must also fit within 56 x 36 x 23 cm to be stowed in the overhead bin or under the seat.

What happens if my China Airlines baggage is 1 kg overweight?
A bag over your class limit but under 32 kg is charged 0.5 pieces of the excess baggage rate even for 1 kg. On a Zone 4 route, that’s roughly USD $140. Repacking into another bag may be cheaper.

Can China Airlines baggage allowances be transferred between passengers?
No. Prepaid excess baggage and free allowances cannot be pooled or transferred between passengers. Each traveler’s allowance applies only to their own baggage, even for passengers traveling together on one booking.

How many bags can I check on China Airlines?
Economy passengers get 1–2 bags depending on booking class, while Premium Economy and Business get 2 bags each. Dynasty Flyer Gold and Emerald members get one extra bag; Paragon members get two.

What is the maximum bag weight China Airlines accepts?
The maximum for standard checked baggage is 32 kg (70 lbs) per piece. Bags 32–45 kg need advance approval and cost 3 excess pieces. Anything over 45 kg must ship as cargo, not checked luggage.

Does China Airlines charge for sports equipment?
Most sports equipment is included in your free checked allowance and limited by weight, not size. Extra fees apply only if you exceed your allowance or the item’s total dimensions surpass 292 cm (115 inches).

How much can I save by prepaying excess baggage online?
Prepaying excess baggage online saves 5% versus airport rates. On a Zone 4 route, that lowers a per-piece fee from about USD $280 to roughly USD $252. You can prepay up to 4 hours before departure.

What items are prohibited in China Airlines carry-on baggage?
Prohibited items include hoverboards, e-cigarettes in checked bags, lithium batteries over 160Wh, fireworks, explosives, and flammable gases. Power banks and spare batteries must be carried in the cabin, never in checked baggage.

What baggage allowance do infants get on China Airlines?
Infants without a seat receive one checked bag at the adult class weight, plus either a collapsible stroller or a car seat not both. Infants with a purchased seat get the same allowance as an adult.