If you’ve ever traveled domestically in China in the past, you’ll know that the phrase “carry-on restriction” is a loose term, used only for baggage that can’t be physically carried by the person checking in. I have agonized over carry-on or check only to see a local passenger haul not one, not two, but three suitcases on board along with a bag of oranges and a cake housed in a hatbox-sized Styrofoam box. The best, however, was the time we were in line behind a man who was trying to carry-on live crabs and was caught when water began leaking from the Styrofoam containers that housed the critters. No, those would have to be checked.
While annoying when you can’t find space for your small carry-on, it was rather nice to be able to bring all your large-size toiletries on board as well as any amount of drink (milk in my case) for your traveling kids. Those lax days of carry-on scrutiny are gone forever.
Domestic airlines have tightened controls. Here are the current restrictions that do, actually, get implemented:
- Luggage must be smaller than 20x40x55cm.
- Carry-on weight limit is 5kg
- First-class passengers are allowed 2 bags, business and economy 1 bag
- No liquids of any kind or volume are allowed
- No lighters or matches
- Plus the usual no dangerous goods.
