China Train Baggage Allowance, Luggage Delivery, China Rail Travel Tips

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China Train Baggage Allowance and Transportation

Carry-on baggage

Carry-on baggage allowance

Carry-on Baggage of Passengers

Each passenger is allowed to take a certain amount of carry-on baggage for free.
•Children (children with free ticket included): 10 kg (22 pounds)
•Diplomat: 35 kg (77 pounds)
•Other passengers: 20 kg (44 pounds)
•The total length of each item cannot exceed 160 cm.
•Rod-shaped baggage should not exceed 200 cm in length and 20 kg (44 pounds) in weight.

Note: The above limitation is not applicable to wheelchair, which can be brought onto the train for free.
If the baggage exceeds the allowed amount (either by weight or size), please use the baggage transportation service.

Prohibited Items:

The following items are prohibited on board the train:

Security Check of Baggage

1. Items whose transportation is prohibited or limited by the government.
2. Dangerous goods, ammunition.
3. Animals and goods (goods with revolting smell included) which will affect public hygiene.
4. Items which may harm other passengers in the train, such as knives (fruit knife included).
5. Baggage that exceeds the limitation of the regulation.

Limited Items:

Regulation on the amount of the followings that can be brought onto train:
1.Less than 5 gas lighters.
2.Less than 20 boxes of matches.
3.Items like enamel and hair dye, less than 20 ml.
4.Items like alcohol less than 100 ml.
5.Items like styling mouse, insecticide and air-refresher, less than 600 ml.
6.Less than 20 newborn poultries.

Baggage Transportation

Checked Baggage Transportation

Checked baggage refers to the bedding, clothing and books which are for personal use and other necessities for traveling. Wheelchairs for the disabled are also included. Currency, securities, cultural relics, jewellery, important documents and other valuables are not allowed in checked baggage. The weight limitations for checked baggage are 50 kilograms per piece. The minimum volume should be more than 0.01 cubic meters. Passengers can choose to transport checked baggage in the same train they are traveling on or it may be transported in advance. If it is transported in the same train, it can be collected as soon as you reach your destination. If it is transported in advance, the baggage will arrive on a later train. Staff will notify you to come and pick it up after it has arrived. Remember to collect it as soon as possible after being informed, as the station will only keep it for free for three days. Storage fees apply after that time.

Parcel Transportation:

Fee-based Service Provided
by Porters at a Railway Station

Parcel refers to small loads which are suitable to transport in a cart.
Certain certificates should be presented when you want to transport the items listed below:
1. Jewellery, cultural relics, currency, securities, firearms.
2. Police dogs as well as other protected animals.
3.Items requiring inspection according to the government regulations.
4. Items which are restricted to transport by People's Republic of China.

Other tips

1. The announcements in the railway stations are broadcast in Chinese, but in some big cities like Xian, Beijing and Shanghai, they are also broadcast in English, and bilingual signs in both Chinese and English will be helpful.
2. Trains stop at stations just long enough for people to get on and off. For that reason it is wise not to alight from a train during your journey for any reason as it may well leave before you can get back on board.

Trolley Service Selling Snacks

3. Most overnight trains have a dining car where you can purchase a meal. On all trains, a trolley service selling items of food, drink, socks, magazines and other small items, regularly goes back and forth through the carriages during your journey.
4. Be prepared to cope with the crowds and some inconvenience, rail travel in China is a cultural experience to be enjoyed; it is bound to be memorable!
5. Do keep safe and be careful to guard against theft.
6. Never give personal information to strangers
7. Avoid using public phones near the station, as some of the owner will play tricks on the phone in order to ask for more money.
8. Never eat food given to you by a stranger.