✓ Policy web-verified
Shenzhen Airlines’ own baggage page says 1 piece to/from Australia — that is wrong for what you actually fly. On the cheapest Standard Economy fare from Australia, New Zealand or the Americas to China you get 2 × 23 kg checked bags included free. Shenzhen sits under Air China’s group zoning and runs the same Oceania–China 2-bag rule the big Chinese carriers use to win the student and family market — the policy page simply never caught up.
The picture by region: Australia/NZ, the Americas and Japan all carry 2 × 23 kg on a standard economy ticket; domestic China runs a 20 kg weight system; between China and Europe economy is a single 23 kg piece; and on journeys through China, Europe ↔ Japan, Singapore or the Middle East carries 2 × 23 kg while Europe ↔ the rest of Asia carries one. The only way to drop to 1 bag on the long-haul routes is to buy an “Economy Light” fare — a standard economy fare gives you two.
Quick facts
| Cheapest economy to Australia / NZ / the Americas | 2 x 23 kg included |
| Routes involving Japan | 2 x 23 kg included |
| Europe <-> Japan / Singapore / Middle East, through China | 2 x 23 kg included |
| Domestic China economy | 20 kg (weight system) |
| Cabin bag | 1 piece, 5 kg, 20x40x55 cm |
| Personal item | 1 under-seat item (handbag, briefcase, laptop or camera bag) |
| Business class (international) | 2 x 32 kg |
| First class (international) | 2 x 32 kg |
| Extra bag (international, from) | ~RMB 830-1,100 / USD 120-160 / EUR 105-140 |
Cabin bag & personal item
| Item | Allowance |
|---|---|
| Carry-on bag (economy & premium economy) | 1 piece, max 5 kg, 20 x 40 x 55 cm |
| Personal item | One free under-seat item on top of the carry-on bag: handbag, briefcase, laptop or camera bag (suggested max 12 x 35 x 40 cm) |
| Business & first class carry-on | 2 pieces, max 8 kg each |
Checked baggage & fees
| Economy cheapest fare (most international piece-concept routes) | 1 x 23 kg (50 lb) |
| Economy on Japan routes | 2 x 23 kg (50 lb each) |
| Economy, Europe <-> Japan / Singapore / Middle East through China | 2 x 23 kg (50 lb each) |
| Economy domestic China (weight system) | 20 kg total |
| Business class (international) | 2 x 32 kg (70 lb each) |
| First class (international) | 2 x 32 kg |
| Max single-piece dimensions (international) | Sum of L+W+H up to 158 cm (62 in) |
| Excess piece (Europe/Middle East <-> Asia-Pacific, Zone 1) | ~RMB 1,100 / USD 160 / EUR 140 per piece |
| Excess piece (intra-Asia / Europe-Middle East, Zone 2) | from ~RMB 830 / USD 120 / EUR 105 per piece |
| Overweight 23-28 kg (international) | RMB 210-280 / USD 30-40 / EUR 25-35 (Zone 2 / Zone 1) |
| Overweight 28-32 kg (international) | RMB 520-690 / USD 75-100 / EUR 65-85 (Zone 2 / Zone 1) |
| Oversize 158-203 cm (international) | RMB 520-690 / USD 75-100 / EUR 65-85; RMB 830-1,100 / USD 120-160 / EUR 105-140 if also overweight |
Baggage by region & route
Checked-bag inclusion on the cheapest fare can depend on where you fly, not just the fare name. Here is what the lowest fare includes by route:
| Route / region | Cheapest economy fare includes |
|---|---|
| Domestic China | 20 kg (weight system, economy) |
| To/from Australia & New Zealand | 2 x 23 kg included (verified at booking on Skyscanner & OTAs) |
| To/from the Americas (USA, Canada, Latin America) | 2 x 23 kg included (piece concept) |
| Routes involving Japan | 2 x 23 kg included |
| China <-> Europe (e.g. UK, Spain) | 1 x 23 kg |
| Through China: Europe <-> Japan, Singapore or the Middle East | 2 x 23 kg |
| Through China: Europe <-> other Asia (e.g. Brunei, Thailand, Vietnam) | 1 x 23 kg |
What each fare includes
| Fare | Personal | Cabin | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy (most international) | 1 under-seat item | 1 x 5 kg, 20x40x55 cm | 1 x 23 kg |
| Economy (Japan routes) | 1 under-seat item | 1 x 5 kg, 20x40x55 cm | 2 x 23 kg |
| Economy (Europe <-> Japan / Singapore / Middle East through China) | 1 under-seat item | 1 x 5 kg, 20x40x55 cm | 2 x 23 kg |
| Economy (domestic China) | 1 under-seat item | 1 x 5 kg, 20x40x55 cm | 20 kg total |
| Business (international) | 1 under-seat item | 2 x 8 kg | 2 x 32 kg |
What you actually get on a cheap fare
On a cheap Shenzhen Airlines deal to Australia, New Zealand or the Americas, you get 2 × 23 kg checked bags plus a 5 kg cabin bag, free, on the cheapest standard economy fare — two bags, not the one the airline’s policy page implies. Only the cut-price “Economy Light” fare drops you to a single bag. Domestic China uses a 20 kg weight allowance instead of pieces. Against a Western carrier’s cheap fare, remember Shenzhen already includes two bags on these routes. From Europe, journeys through China to Japan, Singapore or the Middle East also carry 2 × 23 kg in economy; to most other Asian destinations it is one bag.
Oversize, sports & special items
Sports gear, instruments and oversize items follow the standard piece rules: anything with L+W+H over 158 cm but up to 203 cm draws an oversize fee of RMB 520-690 (about USD 75-100) on international routes, or RMB 830-1,100 (about USD 120-160) if it is also overweight, and overweight bags between 23-32 kg add RMB 210-690 (about USD 30-100) on top of any excess-piece charge. A single international checked piece may not exceed 32 kg; anything heavier must be split.
2025/2026 note: Shenzhen Airlines refreshed its checked-baggage rules (the V202501 / V202512 rule sets), keeping the piece concept for ZH-coded international and regional routes and the weight concept for domestic China. The standout regional rule remains that Japan routes carry the 2 x 23 kg economy allowance — and so do journeys through China between Europe and Japan, Singapore or the Middle East (Shenzhen’s allowance tables dated 13 May 2026). Shenzhen’s special-economy fares carry one piece fewer than Standard Economy, and the allowance shown on your ticket applies.
Frequently asked questions
Does Shenzhen Airlines give 2 checked bags to Australia or the Americas in economy?
Yes — 2 x 23 kg on a Standard Economy ticket to Australia, New Zealand and the Americas, even though the airline’s own policy page lists only 1 piece. Japan routes also carry 2 x 23 kg; domestic China uses a 20 kg weight system. The only way to 1 bag on these long-haul routes is a cheaper ‘Economy Light’ fare.
How much checked baggage is included on the cheapest Shenzhen Airlines long-haul fare?
On long-haul economy to Australia, New Zealand, the Americas and Japan, 2 x 23 kg is included free on the cheapest fare. Between China and Europe — and on journeys through China between Europe and most of Asia — economy is a single 23 kg piece; through China between Europe and Japan, Singapore or the Middle East it is 2 x 23 kg. Domestic China uses a 20 kg weight allowance.
How much checked baggage is included on the cheapest international economy fare?
One piece up to 23 kg (50 lb) between China and Europe and on journeys through China between Europe and most of Asia. Japan routes get two pieces of 23 kg, and so do journeys through China between Europe and Japan, Singapore or the Middle East. The bag is bundled into the base fare on ZH-operated flights.
What is the Shenzhen Airlines domestic China baggage allowance?
Domestic China uses a weight system: 20 kg in economy, 30 kg in business and 40 kg in first class, spread across any number of bags rather than counted as pieces.
What is the Shenzhen Airlines carry-on / cabin bag allowance?
One cabin bag up to 5 kg (20 x 40 x 55 cm) in economy and premium economy, plus one free under-seat item such as a handbag, briefcase, laptop or camera bag. Business and first class allow two cabin bags of up to 8 kg each.
How much does an extra checked bag cost on Shenzhen Airlines?
An extra international piece costs roughly RMB 830-1,100 (about USD 120-160 / EUR 105-140) depending on zone. Overweight bags (23-32 kg) and oversize bags (158-203 cm) add further fees. Buy ahead online rather than at the counter.
What is the business and first class checked allowance?
International business and first class both get 2 pieces of 32 kg. Domestically the weight system applies: 30 kg business, 40 kg first.
Is the checked bag really free on a cheap Shenzhen Airlines deal?
Usually. On ZH-operated international economy fares the 23 kg piece (two on Japan routes and on journeys through China between Europe and Japan, Singapore or the Middle East) is bundled into the base fare. Shenzhen’s own tables note that special-economy fares carry one piece fewer than Standard Economy, so check the allowance shown when you book; codeshare or partner-operated segments can differ.
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