✓ Policy web-verified 2026-06-21
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; and shorter international routes (parts of Asia, Africa, the Middle East) are a single 23 kg piece. 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 |
| Domestic China economy | 20 kg (weight system) |
| Cabin bag | 1 piece, 5 kg, 20x40x55 cm |
| Personal item | No separate guaranteed allowance (counts toward cabin piece) |
| Business class (international) | 2 x 23 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 (all cabins) | 1 piece, max 5 kg, 20 x 40 x 55 cm |
| Personal item | No separate free personal item guaranteed; small items count within the 5 kg carry-on piece |
| First class carry-on | 2 pieces, max 5 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 domestic China (weight system) | 20 kg total |
| Business class (international) | 2 x 23 kg |
| 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) | from ~RMB 280 / USD 40 / EUR 35 |
| Overweight 28-32 kg (international) | from ~RMB 690 / USD 100 / EUR 85 |
| Oversize 158-203 cm (international) | ~RMB 1,100 / USD 160 / EUR 140 |
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 |
| Europe / Africa / Middle East / other long-haul | 1-2 x 23 kg — confirm the exact piece count shown at booking |
What each fare includes
| Fare | Personal | Cabin | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy (most international) | Within 5 kg carry-on | 1 x 5 kg, 20x40x55 cm | 1 x 23 kg |
| Economy (Japan routes) | Within 5 kg carry-on | 1 x 5 kg, 20x40x55 cm | 2 x 23 kg |
| Economy (domestic China) | Within 5 kg carry-on | 1 x 5 kg, 20x40x55 cm | 20 kg total |
| Business (international) | Within 5 kg carry-on | 1 x 5 kg, 20x40x55 cm | 2 x 23 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.
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 roughly RMB 1,100 / USD 160 / EUR 140 on international routes, and overweight bags between 23-32 kg add RMB 280-690 (about USD 40-100) 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
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. Shorter international routes (parts of Asia, Africa, the Middle East) may give a single 23 kg piece, and 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) on most international routes (Americas, Australia, NZ, Europe, Africa, Middle East). Japan routes get two pieces of 23 kg. 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, with dimensions not exceeding 20 x 40 x 55 cm, in economy and business. First class allows two carry-on pieces of up to 5 kg each. There is no separately guaranteed free personal item.
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 class gets 2 pieces of 23 kg; international first class gets 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?
Yes, on ZH-operated international economy fares the one 23 kg piece (two on Japan routes) is bundled into the base fare. Codeshare or partner-operated segments can differ.