Civil Aviation Regulations in China: Lithium Batteries, Liquids, and Alcohol Rules for Air Travelers
Air travelers flying within or from China must follow specific safety regulations set by the Civil Aviation Administration of China. These rules are designed to ensure safe air travel and regulate items that passengers can carry in their baggage.
According to the Guidelines for Air Transportation of Hazardous Materials Carried by Passengers or Crew, several common items—such as lithium batteries, liquids, lighters, and alcoholic beverages—are subject to clear restrictions.
Understanding these rules can help passengers prepare their luggage properly and avoid delays during airport security checks.
Lithium Battery Regulations
Lithium batteries are widely used in electronic devices such as phones, cameras, and laptops. Due to their potential fire risk, the aviation authority has established strict limits on their transport.
Passengers carrying electronic devices powered by lithium batteries should follow these guidelines:
- Devices such as watches, cameras, mobile phones, and laptops may be carried in carry-on baggage or checked luggage.
- Lithium batteries with a rated capacity up to 100 watt-hours are permitted without special approval.
- Batteries with a capacity between 100 and 160 watt-hours require airline approval before travel.
- The maximum permitted capacity for lithium batteries carried on aircraft is 160 watt-hours.
Spare lithium batteries have additional requirements:
- Spare batteries must only be carried in carry-on luggage and are not allowed in checked baggage.
- Batteries should be stored safely to prevent short circuits or accidental activation.
- Each spare battery should be under 100 watt-hours, unless airline permission is obtained.
- Passengers may carry a maximum of two spare batteries.
These rules apply to all passengers traveling on flights operating under Chinese aviation safety standards.
Lighters and Matches
Flammable and explosive items are strictly controlled during air travel.
Items such as lighters or matches are not permitted in either:
- Carry-on luggage
- Checked baggage
Passengers should remove these items before entering airport security areas to comply with aviation safety regulations.
Liquid Items on Domestic Flights in China
Passengers traveling on domestic flights within China must follow specific rules for carrying liquid items.
Carry-On Restrictions
Liquid items are generally not allowed in carry-on baggage on domestic flights. However, small quantities of cosmetics are permitted under the following conditions:
- Only one container per type of cosmetic is allowed.
- Each container must not exceed 100 milliliters.
- All cosmetics must be placed in a separate bag for security inspection.
Checked Baggage
Most liquid items may be transported in checked luggage, provided they are packed securely.
Duty-Free Liquids for Transfer Passengers
Passengers transferring from international flights to domestic flights within China may carry unopened duty-free liquids in their carry-on bags if:
- The items remain sealed in transparent plastic bags
- The purchase receipt is presented for inspection
Special Liquids
Certain liquids are permitted for specific passengers:
- Passengers traveling with infants may request complimentary liquid dairy products from airlines.
- Liquid medications required by diabetic or other patients are allowed after security inspection and will be managed by the flight crew.
Liquid Regulations for International Flights
Passengers departing China on international flights may carry limited liquid items in their carry-on luggage.
The following rules apply:
- Each liquid container must not exceed 100 milliliters.
- Containers larger than 100 ml must be placed in checked baggage.
- All liquids must be placed in a resealable transparent plastic bag.
- The plastic bag must have a maximum capacity of 1 liter.
- Each passenger may carry only one plastic bag containing liquids.
Any additional liquids must be packed in checked luggage.
Duty-Free Liquid Purchases
Liquids purchased from airport duty-free shops must:
- Be placed in a sealed transparent plastic bag
- Remain unopened during the journey
- Be accompanied by the purchase receipt
Medical and Infant Liquids
Passengers may carry a reasonable quantity of liquid dairy products for infants or necessary liquid medications for medical conditions after passing security inspection.
Regulations for Alcoholic Beverages
Alcoholic beverages are regulated under the Guidelines for Air Transport of Dangerous Goods Carried by Passengers or Crew.
Carry-On Baggage
Alcoholic beverages are not allowed in carry-on luggage.
Checked Baggage
Alcoholic drinks may be placed in checked baggage if they meet the following conditions:
- Beverages with less than 24% alcohol content have no quantity restriction.
- Each passenger may carry up to 5 liters of alcoholic beverages with an alcohol content between 24% and 70%.
- Beverages with an alcohol content above 70% are strictly prohibited.
Passengers should ensure that bottles are securely packed to prevent leakage or damage during transportation.
Important Travel Reminder
Passengers traveling to or within China should review airline regulations and security requirements before departure. Following these guidelines helps ensure smooth security screening and safe transportation of personal belongings.
Popular China Air Routes:
Security check at an airport in China
A. Who is not allowed to pass the security check?
Before departure, passengers and their luggage must undergo a security check. Special passengers such as unaccompanied children, individuals with disabilities, pregnant women, the visually and hearing impaired, as well as individuals with criminal records, can only pass the security check if they meet the airline’s regulations or receive approval from the airline. Patients with infectious diseases, individuals with mental disorders, or individuals whose physical condition may pose a threat to other passengers are not allowed to pass the security check.
B. What are hazardous materials according to CAAC?
The transportation of hazardous materials can be extremely dangerous. According to the CAAC, hazardous materials mainly include the following categories: aerated solids such as polishes
C. Specific provisions for carry-on baggage
The following are items that cannot be brought on board by passengers as carry-on baggage.
Firearms and equipment for military or police use
- Military or police firearms: handguns, rifles, submachine guns, machine guns, and baton guns
- Civilian firearms: air guns, shotguns, sporting guns, anaesthetic injection guns, and starting guns
- Other military or police weapons: batons, daggers, and bayonets
- State-prohibited firearms or weapons: steel ball guns, tear gas guns, and electric guns
- Imitation firearms mentioned above: firearm replicas or guns used as props
B. Explosives
- Ammunition: bombs, grenades, flare bombs, firebombs, smoke shells, tear bombs, gas bombs, and bullets including blank cartridges, testing missiles, and practice ammunition
- Blasting equipment: blasting explosives, blasting fuses, detonating cords, non-electric detonating systems, and blasting agents
- Pyrotechnic products: fireworks and firecrackers
Imitation explosives mentioned above
- State-controlled cutting tools: daggers, three-square tools, backswords, or double-edged swords that are longer than a dagger
- Explosive and flammable materials: cylinders containing liquefied or compressed gases such as hydrogen, oxygen, and butane; white phosphorus, yellow phosphorus, nitrocellulose (including film), oilpaper, and their products that may cause spontaneous combustion; potassium, sodium, lithium, calcium carbide, and Mg-Al powder that will react with water; gasoline, kerosene, diesel, benzene, ethanol (alcohol), paint, thinner, retinol, and other flammable liquids; flashlight powder, solid alcohol, celluloid, and other flammable solids; sodium peroxide, potassium peroxide, lead peroxide, Acetyl hydroperoxide, and other organic oxides
- Toxic materials: cyanide, highly toxic pesticides, and other toxic materials
- Corrosive substances: sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, electrolytic batteries, sodium hydroxide, and potassium hydroxide
Radioactive substances like radioisotopes
Other materials that may jeopardize the safety of the flight, such as materials with a strong pungent odor and strong magnetic objects may interfere with the normal functioning of the aircraft’s instruments.
