Domestic Flights in China: ID, Baggage, Power Banks, and Timing
For a domestic flight in China, use the valid identity document entered when booking. Before departure, check the airport, terminal, baggage allowance, liquids, and power-bank markings individually rather than assuming the rules from an international segment apply.
Airport, Identification, and Operating Carrier
The most serious common mistakes on domestic flights are going to the wrong airport or terminal and having a name on the booking that does not match the passport. A single city may have several airports, and a flight may be operated by a different carrier. As soon as you book, check the city, airport code, terminal, date, departure time, passenger name, and document number. If anything is wrong, do not wait until you reach the check-in counter to resolve it.
The name and passport number match the document used to buy the ticket.
The airport, terminal, and operating carrier have been confirmed.
The baggage allowance has been checked for the fare product and airline.
Power banks, lithium batteries, liquids, and special items have been packed according to domestic-flight rules.
The journey to the airport allows for rush-hour traffic and the check-in and boarding cut-off times.
Who Handles Booking, Refunds, and Changes?
Foreign travelers can buy domestic tickets through an airline's website, app, mini program, or a ticketing platform, and may also buy at the airport where the airport and airline allow it. When you use a third-party platform, the fare product and airline still determine the ticket rules, but the platform may control the change and refund channel, service fees, and customer support. After ticketing, save the e-ticket number, order number, and name of the operating airline.
The carrier sets the dimensions, weight, number of pieces, free allowance, and excess charges for both checked and cabin baggage. There is no single set of figures that applies to every domestic flight. Baggage through-check rules also vary for codeshares, connecting itineraries, and separately issued tickets. Baggage accepted on an international segment is not guaranteed to be accepted on the domestic segment under the same terms.
Prepare Your Documents and Baggage Before Departure
Carry the original, valid passport used to buy the ticket and keep the e-ticket details available.
Use the airline's page to confirm check-in, baggage, special meals, and arrangements for passengers requiring special assistance.
Keep cash, your passport, medicines, valuables, and electronic devices in your cabin baggage.
Remove power banks and spare lithium batteries from checked baggage and protect each one against short circuits.
Check whether liquids, alcohol, tools, aerosols, medicines, and souvenirs must be checked or are prohibited from transport.
Label checked baggage with your name and contact details, photograph its exterior, and retain the baggage tag.
Rules for Power Banks and Lithium Batteries
Current Civil Aviation Administration of China rules prohibit passengers from carrying power banks on domestic flights if they have no 3C mark, an illegible 3C mark, or belong to a recalled batch or model. Power banks and spare lithium batteries must not be placed in checked baggage. Devices rated at no more than 100Wh can usually be carried in cabin baggage. Those above 100Wh but no more than 160Wh require airline approval and are subject to quantity limits; those above 160Wh cannot be carried.
Check the casing for a complete, legible 3C mark and the rated energy.
Check the brand's recall notices, and do not carry a device that is swollen, overheating, damaged, or of unknown origin.
Put it in cabin baggage and keep the terminals away from metal objects.
If the capacity is marked only in mAh, confirm the Wh value from the product label or with the airline; do not make your own estimate and then argue over it.
If security staff cannot determine whether it complies, accept the decision made on site. Do not put the device into checked baggage at the last minute.
The Check-in, Security, and Boarding Sequence
Once you reach the correct terminal, check in and drop your baggage at an airline counter or self-service machine where available. If a machine cannot process a foreign passport, go directly to a staffed counter. Before security, keep your identity document, boarding pass, electronic devices, and power banks easy to reach. Check the gate again after security because airports may change it at short notice.
Liquid rules for domestic flights differ from those for international flights; pack according to the requirements of the civil aviation authority and airport.
Current rules determine the permitted container size and number of personal cosmetics, and whether containers must be opened for inspection.
Tell security staff about baby food and liquid medicines needed during the journey.
Follow airport screens and airline notices for the gate and boarding time.
Bus boarding and remote stands take extra time, so do not go too far from the gate.
Delays, Cancellations, and Baggage Problems
If a flight is delayed or canceled, check the operating airline's notice before deciding whether to request a free refund or change, switch to another flight, or continue waiting. If a third-party platform has not updated its page, use the ticket number to check with the airline. A separately purchased onward ticket is generally not automatically protected; retain proof of the delay and every booking before taking action.
If your baggage is missing, damaged, or taken by someone else on arrival, contact the carrier or the airport baggage service before leaving the baggage reclaim area. Show your boarding pass, baggage tag, and identity document, and complete an incident report. Report missing baggage at the counter while you are still at the airport; relying on telephone tracing after you leave makes recovery harder. Keep receipts for essential purchases and the documents required for delivery and insurance claims, following the airline's and insurer's requirements.
Differences When Connecting from an International Flight
When connecting from an international flight to a domestic flight in China, whether you must collect baggage and check in and pass security again depends on the airport, airlines, and whether the baggage is checked through. Even if duty-free liquids are permitted in cabin baggage on the international segment, they may have to be checked if you leave the airport's controlled area and enter domestic security again. At your departure airport, ask at first-segment check-in for the final destination shown for your baggage, then follow the transfer signs and confirm the procedure at the airport where you arrive in China.
Official Rules and Update Date
This article is based on the Civil Aviation Administration of China's air-travel guidance and its 2025 power-bank safety notice, and was checked through 2026-8-4. Requirements for 3C marks, recalls, liquids, dangerous goods, and lithium batteries are subject to the rules in force that day from the civil aviation authority, departure airport, and operating airline. Baggage allowances, check-in times, change and refund fees, and special transport arrangements must be checked against the specific ticket and the airline's general conditions of carriage.