China Southern Airlines (CZ) allows Economy Class passengers 1–2 checked bags of up to 23 kg each on most international routes, plus 1 carry-on bag of up to 8 kg. Exact allowances depend on your fare class, route, and ticket type. Excess baggage fees range from $65 to $495 USD depending on weight and destination.

Flying with China Southern Airlines and unsure what you can pack? You’re not alone. China Southern’s baggage policy is one of the most searched topics among travelers heading to or from China and for good reason. The rules shift depending on your cabin class, route region, and fare brand, and the fees for getting it wrong can be steep.

What Is the China Southern Airlines Carry-On Baggage Allowance?

Economy and Premium Economy passengers are entitled to 1 carry-on bag, while First and Business Class passengers may bring 2 carry-on bags. Each piece must not exceed 8 kg and must fit within a total dimension of 115 cm (L+W+H) roughly the size of a standard 20-inch cabin suitcase.

Carry-On Allowance by Cabin Class

What Additional Items Can You Bring for Free?

Beyond your standard carry-on, China Southern permits all passengers to bring the following free of charge:

• A coat, shawl, or rug
• An umbrella or walking cane
• A pair of binoculars or a camera
• A reasonable amount of reading materials
• A small handbag for personal travel items

Parents traveling with infants may also bring infant food and a foldable lightweight stroller. Passengers with disabilities may carry a foldable wheelchair, crutches, or other mobility aids.

Is China Southern Strict on Carry-On Weight?

China Southern does enforce carry-on weight limits, and bags exceeding the allowance at the boarding gate will be checked and charged at gate rates. One often-missed detail: gate fees do not include your pre-purchased free baggage allowance or prepaid baggage so always handle oversized carry-ons at the check-in counter, not the gate.

What Items Are Prohibited in Carry-On Bags?

China Southern follows Chinese Civil Aviation Administration (CAAC) regulations. The following are prohibited from carry-on baggage:

• Firearms and sharp objects
• Flammable liquids and gases
• Explosives
• Poisonous or corrosive substances
• Lighters and matches (prohibited in both carry-on and checked baggage under Chinese aviation law a rule many travelers miss)
• Power banks exceeding 100Wh must stay in carry-on only and may not be used or charged during the flight

All liquids must be in containers of 100 ml or less and placed in a single, clear, resealable 1-liter bag. Medicines and baby formula are exempt but must be declared at security.

What Is the China Southern Airlines Checked Baggage Allowance?

China Southern Airlines offers free checked baggage on most fare types, with allowances determined by your cabin class, route, and fare brand. The airline uses a piece-based system on major international routes and a weight-based system on domestic flights.

China Southern Airlines Domestic Baggage Allowance

On flights within mainland China, checked baggage is calculated by total weight, not by the number of pieces.

Edge case: For domestic segments that are part of an international journey, the free baggage allowance follows the rules of the international segment not the domestic one. This is a common point of confusion for passengers on connecting itineraries.

China Southern Airlines International Baggage Allowance by Economy Class and Cabin

On international and regional routes, China Southern uses a piece-based system. Allowances vary by route area and fare brand.

Economy Class International Allowance (Major Routes)

All Cabin Classes  International (Americas & Major Long-Haul Routes)

Does China Southern offer free baggage? Yes. Free checked baggage is included in most China Southern tickets. A standard Economy Class fare on long-haul routes (such as US–China) includes at least one 23 kg bag. Always verify your specific allowance on your ticket before traveling.

What Are the Baggage Size Limits for China Southern Airlines?

For international checked baggage, the maximum accepted size is 158 cm (62 in) total linear dimensions (L+W+H). On domestic routes, the maximum is 100×60×40 cm (200 cm total). Any bag between 159 cm and 203 cm incurs an oversized fee; bags exceeding 203 cm may be refused or sent as cargo.

Is There a Fee for Checking Bags on China Southern?

Yes when you exceed your free allowance, China Southern charges by piece count, weight, or size. Fees differ based on which IATA area your route falls under. Below are the official fees sourced from China Southern’s published baggage rules.

Excess Baggage Fees  Area 1 (Americas & Africa Routes)

Excess Baggage Fees  Area 2 (Europe, Japan, Middle East, Oceania)

Excess Baggage Fees  Area 3 (South Korea, Southeast Asia, South Asia)

Real-world cost example: A passenger flying Economy Standard (1 free bag) from Los Angeles to Guangzhou with two 25 kg bags would pay $225 for the extra bag plus $85 for the overweight fee on their second bag a total of $310 in excess charges. Purchasing prepaid baggage in advance through the China Southern website would reduce this significantly.

Can you buy extra baggage on China Southern Airlines? Yes. China Southern offers prepaid baggage purchases through its official website and app at discounted rates compared to airport counter fees. Always pre-purchase if you know you’ll exceed your allowance.

What Are the Rules for Special Baggage?

Sports Equipment

China Southern has specific policies for common sports items on international routes:

• Golf equipment: 1 set per adult allowed free within 23 kg and 158 cm total dimensions
• Ski equipment: 1 set per adult allowed free within 23 kg and 203 cm total dimensions
• Fishing gear: Counted as 1 standard piece (≤158 cm); any overage charged at normal excess rates
• Bicycles: Non-electric only; tires deflated, handlebars rotated and fixed, pedals removed
• Surfboards and diving equipment: Must be packed in durable protective containers; fins removed or wrapped
• Other sports equipment (≤23 kg, ≤158 cm): May count toward your free allowance

On domestic routes, sports equipment charges follow a tiered structure for example, golf equipment under 3 kg is charged at CNY 68, rising to CNY 998 for items between 32–50 kg at major hub airports (Guangzhou, Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, and others).

Musical Instruments

Small musical instruments that fit within the carry-on size limit (115 cm total) may be brought on board as carry-on baggage. Larger instruments that cannot be safely stored in the overhead bin may need to be checked or, in some cases, can be placed in a purchased additional seat. Confirm requirements with China Southern directly when traveling with oversized instruments.

Student and Labor Passenger Bonus Allowance

This is a section most competitor blogs miss entirely. China Southern offers an extra free piece of checked baggage to:

• International students under 30 years old enrolled in schools outside their home country, on qualifying Economy or Premium Economy fares (routes include China–Americas, China–Europe, China–Australia, China–Singapore, and others)
• Labor passengers working in a country other than their nationality, on qualifying Economy or Premium Economy fares (routes include China–Southeast Asia, China–South Asia, China–Korea, and others)

Valid documents (passport, visa, student ID or labor visa) must be presented at the time of ticket purchase.

What Should You Do If Your Baggage Is Lost or Damaged?

Report any baggage issue immediately at the airport service counter before leaving the arrivals hall. Delaying this step complicates or may void your claim.

Compensation limits:

• Domestic flights: Up to CNY 100 per kilogram. If the actual value is lower than CNY 100/kg, compensation is based on actual value.
• International flights: Up to 1,131 Special Drawing Rights (SDR) per passenger, as governed by the Montreal Convention.

For carry-on baggage, damage or loss is generally not compensated unless China Southern is proven to be at fault. Contact the customer service hotline 95539 for ongoing lost baggage inquiries. You can also track baggage status through the China Southern official website.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many free checked bags does China Southern Airlines allow in Economy Class?
Economy Class passengers on long-haul international routes (Americas, Europe, Japan, Oceania) receive 1 free checked bag of 23 kg on Standard fares and 2 free bags of 23 kg each on Flex or Full Flex fares. Domestic flights use a weight-based system of 20 kg total.

What is the carry-on weight limit for China Southern Airlines?
All cabin classes are limited to 8 kg per carry-on piece, with a maximum total dimension of 115 cm (L+W+H). First and Business Class passengers may bring 2 pieces; all other classes are limited to 1 piece.

How much does China Southern charge for an extra checked bag on US routes?
On routes between the Americas and China, the first extra bag costs $225 USD, and the second or additional bags cost $330 USD each. Pre-purchasing online through the China Southern website or app reduces these fees.

Can I take a 25 kg bag on China Southern Airlines in Economy Class?
Yes, but you will pay an overweight fee. On US–China routes, a bag between 23–28 kg incurs a charge of $85 USD. Splitting items into two bags under 23 kg each is almost always cheaper.

Does China Southern Airlines allow golf clubs as free baggage?
Yes. On international flights, one set of golf equipment (bag with clubs, balls, tees, and one pair of shoes) is permitted free of charge if it weighs 23 kg or less and has total dimensions under 158 cm. Anything beyond is charged at standard excess rates.

Are lighters allowed on China Southern Airlines flights?
No. Under Chinese aviation security regulations, lighters and matches are prohibited in both carry-on and checked baggage on all China Southern flights. They will be confiscated at security.

What happens if China Southern loses my checked baggage on an international flight?
China Southern’s liability for lost or damaged checked baggage on international flights is capped at 1,131 Special Drawing Rights (SDR) per passenger under the Montreal Convention. Report the loss immediately at the airport service counter and call 95539 for follow-up.

Does China Southern Airlines allow power banks in checked luggage?
No. Power banks must be carried in your carry-on baggage only. They must have a legible capacity label and must not exceed 100Wh. Power banks may not be used or charged during the flight. Those exceeding 100Wh are prohibited from the aircraft entirely.