China Southern Baggage Allowance 2026: Carry-On, Checked Bags and Extra Fees Explained

Paying for extra baggage at the airport is often much more expensive than expected. China Southern Airlines is no exception. Before you fly, check what your fare includes in the China Southern baggage allowance so you can avoid unexpected baggage fees.

1. China Southern Baggage Allowance - Quick Look

Last updated: July, 2026.

Carry-on Allowance

• Maximum size per carry-on: 55 x 40 x 20 cm (22 x 16 x 8 in)

• Personal item: small enough to fit under the seat or in the overhead compartment.

• Infants without their own seat do not receive the regular carry-on or personal-item allowance.

• Those flying with infants can bring:

• Food needed for the infant during the flight.

• A baby carrier or basket.

• A lightweight folding pram or stroller (max 115 cm / 45 in in total dimensions).

Checked Bag Allowance

Domestic checked baggage

• Maximum accepted ordinary piece: 50 kg (110 lb) and 40 x 60 x 100 cm ((16 × 24 × 39 in)). This is an acceptance limit, not the free allowance.

International/regional checked baggage

• Maximum free-bag size: 158 cm (62 in)

• Infant with a seat: 10 kg (22 lb) and 115 cm (45 in) total dimensions.

Extra-bag fees

Domestic: each excess kilogram costs 1.5% of the published one-way adult Economy fare, so there is no universal flat fee.

International/regional flat rates:

Additional charges:

• Oversize, 159–203 cm: USD 145 / CNY 1,000

• Overweight, over 23 through 28 kg: USD 60 / CNY 390

• Overweight, over 28 through 32 kg: USD 130 / CNY 910

2. China Southern Carry- on Baggage Allowance

Flying China Southern and want to know what your cabin bag can actually carry, without wading through a dozen contradicting travel sites first? Fair enough. Search around and you'll find carry-on weights quoted anywhere from 5kg to 10kg, personal item allowances that may or may not exist, and Business Class piece counts that flatly disagree with each other.

• Economy / Premium Economy: 1 piece max, up to 8 kg (17.5 lbs).

• First / Business Class: Up to 2 pieces max, 8 kg each for international/regional flights (5 kg each for domestic flights).

• Dimensions: Maximum size of 55 x 40 x 20 cm per piece.

The weight limit is pretty strict.

1. What Else You Can Bring For Free

• Beyond your one carry-on piece, you can bring one underseat bag onto the cabin for free. There are no limits on size and weight, but it should fit under the seat in front of you.
• Other items you can carry along include a coat, an umbrella, a camera, reading material and other small bits.
• If you fly with an infant, you get to bring foldable strollers (max per person) in the cabin if there's room. Infant food and necessities can also be brought into the cabin.

2. Packing To Stay Under 8kg

Eight kilos disappear fast once a laptop, chargers, a change of clothes and the usual travel documents are in the mix. This is especially more true if the bag itself already weighs two or three kilos before you've packed a thing.

That's the detail worth checking before your trip: a genuinely lightweight cabin bag means more of that 8kg allowance goes on what you're actually packing, not on the bag carrying it.

That's the thinking behind CabinZero's carry-on backpacks and cabin bags. Our Classic lineup weighs around 600-700g empty, which mean the bag itself takes up less than a tenth of your 8kg allowance. That leaves 7.2kg or more of your limit for your essentials, instead of the bag hauling it around.

Every size is water-resistant, closes with lockable sliders, comes with a lifetime warranty, and carries a built-in lost-and-found ID tag as standard — so if a bag does go astray somewhere between check-in and the gate, there's a way back to it.

Check out the Classic Cabin Backpack range to fly hassle-free, and skip the bag fees for good.

3. China Southern Checked Bag Allowance

Last updated: July, 2026.

China Southern Airlines applies two different systems for checked baggage allowances on domestic and international flights. 

For domestic flights: 

• Maximum dimensions: each piece should not exceed 40 cm x 60 cm x 100 cm

• An infant travelling without a separate seat receives no free checked-baggage allowance on a domestic China Southern itinerary. One collapsible stroller may be checked free of charge.

For international flights:

• Maximum dimensions: each piece should not exceed 40 cm x 60 cm x 100 cm

Note: Flights to and from the US: Some special baggage items can weigh up to 45 kg per piece, instead of the standard 32 kg limit.

4. China Southern Excess Baggage Fees

According to China Southern baggage requirements, domestic excess is usually priced per kilogram, while international/regional routes are charged a per-piece fee plus separate overweight/oversize fees.

1. Domestic flights 

Excess baggage on domestic flights is charged by weight at 1.5% of the full adult one-way economy fare per kilogram on the day of payment. If no direct published fare exists, China Southern states the fare is derived from the fare of the relevant flight segments. 

2. International flights

China Southern uses a route system for international/regional flights. The first extra piece is typically cheaper than the second and additional pieces. 

Make sure it fits or you have to pay the hefty bag fees.

5. China Southern Baggage Rules On Sports Equipment And CPAP

1. How To Pack Sports Equipment Properly?

If you are travelling with sports equipment please see the rules below.

• Bicycles: non-electric bicycles only, must be checked. Let down the tyres and tighten the handlebars before packing. The packed bike must not exceed 158 cm (62 in) in total dimensions.

• Surfboards and windsurfing gear: Requires prior approval from China Southern or the airport ground crew. Surfboards are measured by their perimeter on domestic routes and are subject to the airline’s normal excess baggage rates on international flights. They are not included in the free checked baggage allowance on international routes.

• Golf equipment: You can bring one set (golf bag, clubs, balls, and shoes) for free on international flights if it weighs no more than 23 kg (50 lb) and measures within 158 cm (62 in). 

• Ski equipment: One set of skis may also be carried free on eligible international flights, provided it stays within 23 kg (50 lb) and 203 cm (80 in). 

2. Can you bring a CPAP machine?

Although China Southern doesn't list CPAP machines under its baggage policy for special items, they are generally accepted as medical devices.

You should also bring a medical certificate or doctor's note stating that the device is necessary. And if you want to bring your CPAP into the cabin or check it, we recommend checking in advance.

Contact the airline before travel to confirm approval, battery, documentation and onboard-use requirements.

6. Booking and Check-in Process

1. Booking with China Southern Airlines

Step 1: Log onto the China Southern Airlines website, input your departure city, destination, travel dates and the number of passengers. Browse the flights on offer and select the itinerary that best fits your travel plans.

Step 2: Enter each passenger’s information as it appears on their passport or government-issued ID. Make sure each passenger’s name matches their passport exactly.

Step 3: Check your flight details, fare conditions, baggage allowance and optional services before you pay. Please ensure that everything is correct.

Step 4: Finalise your booking Payment with your preferred method of payment. Once you have completed the transaction, make sure to keep your e-ticket and booking reference handy, as you will need them later for check-in and managing your reservation.

2. Check in with China Southern Airlines

Step 1: When online check-in opens (typically 24 to 48 hours before departure), visit the China Southern website and go to the Online Check-in page.

Step 2: Enter your booking reference (PNR) or e-ticket number and the passenger’s last name to view your booking.

Step 3: Select the flight you wish to check in for and pick your desired seat if seat selection is offered.

Step 4: Review your check-in, and save your boarding pass to your mobile device or print a hard copy before you leave for the airport.

Step 5: At the airport, proceed to the airline's bag drop counter if you have checked luggage. International passengers might also have to produce their passport, visa or other necessary travel documents for verification before boarding.

7. FAQs

1. How Much Baggage Is Allowed In Southern China?

The baggage allowance on China Southern Airlines depends on your route and cabin class. First, standard international allowances are 23 kg per piece for Economy and 32 kg or higher for Premium cabins. Second, domestic allowances include 20 kg for Economy and up to 40 kg for First class.

2. How Strict Is China Southern With Carry-On?

China Southern’s carry-on rules are fairly standard, but the airline does have specific limits on size, weight, and number of pieces by cabin class. If you bring extra baggage or oversize pieces, you’ll need to pay the excess fees. 

3. What Is 2pc Baggage Allowance In China Airlines?

“2pc baggage allowance” means you are entitled to 2 checked bags for China Airlines under the free baggage rule of the ticket. The weight per bag can vary depending on the fare and the route, but the airline’s checked-baggage policy includes piece-based limits and a maximum total size of 62 inches per bag.

Wrapping Up

We have finalised the latest China Southern baggage allowance in two different policies: carry-on and checked bag rules. We also mentioned their restrictions on special equipment like sports and CPAP. 

If you have any questions related to this guideline, don’t hesitate to let us know in the comments section. And before you leave, please share this article with your friends too, thank you!

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