As you may know, I was browsing a forum to learn English and conduct market research. Maybe because it’s a unique and interesting transportation system in China, high-speed railway questions have been asked quite often. So, I wanted to write this post to help out our foreign friends!
First, something special for foreign travelers:
Passport Check: Most stations require manual verification of passports. However, some upgraded stations (e.g., some on the Hainan Ring Railway and Guangshen High-Speed Railway) support direct passport scanning at the gates. If you’re unsure, just follow the signs or ask staff for the manual channel.
Then, a couple of special reminders:
· Arrive at the station at least 45–60 minutes before departure. If you are fluent in Chinese and familiar with the process, 30 minutes will be enough.
· Your passport will be checked both at the station entrance and at the boarding gate. (We Chinese citizens use our ID cards for the same process).
Finally, here is the main part: the official rules from 12306.
🚫 What You CANNOT Bring at All (Not in your bag, not in checked luggage)
· Guns, ammo, or anything that looks like a real gun.
· Knives, daggers, crossbows, or any blade/weapon controlled by law.
· Fireworks, firecrackers, gasoline, diesel, or any fuel.
· Alcohol stronger than 70% by volume.
· Self-heating food (the kind with a heat pack – they react with moisture and can catch fire).
· Poisons, strong acids (like sulfuric acid), strong alkalis (like lye), or radioactive materials.
· Infectious stuff – like dangerous germs or viruses.
· Live animals (except guide dogs). Small pets can be checked as luggage if you have a health certificate and a proper carrier.
· Anything that smells really bad (even if sealed – yes, durian and sticky tofu count), or anything that might scare other passengers.
· Any item that security can’t figure out but looks risky.
🧳 What You CANNOT Carry On, But CAN Check as Luggage
Note: I haven’t used this service myself, so please allow extra time and budget just in case.
· Kitchen knives, scissors, or blades longer than 60mm (about 2.4 inches).
· Professional knives (like scalpels).
· Sports gear like bats or clubs.
· Tools like drills, axes, or farm tools.
· Bows, slingshots, or similar items.
· Small pets (as above – with papers and carrier).
⚠️ What You CAN Bring, But With Limits
· Alcohol – Only if it’s sealed, clearly labeled, and between 24% and 70% alcohol. Max total: 3 liters (about 100 fl oz). To be clearer, alcohol under 24% is allowed without special volume limits, as long as it complies with standard baggage rules. And anything over 70% is banned. And alcohol must be in its original, labeled, sealed container.
· Sprays (aerosols) – Like hairspray or sunscreen. Each can ≤150 ml (5 fl oz), one per type, total ≤600 ml (20 fl oz).
· Flammable liquids (non-spray) – Like perfume or bug repellent. Each bottle ≤100 ml (3.4 fl oz), one per type.
· Power banks – Must have clear labeling—each ≤100Wh (about 27,000 mAh). No limit on how many, but must be for personal use. No damaged or unlabeled ones.
· Lighters – Max 2 (no kerosene lighters). Matches – Max 2 small boxes.
· Nail polish & remover – Total ≤50ml (1.7 fl oz).
· Small seafood – Like fish, shrimp, or crabs – OK if in sealed containers.
📏 Baggage Size & Weight
· Weight: Adults ≤20 kg (44 lbs), children ≤10 kg (22 lbs).
· Size:
1) On high-speed trains (D, G, C): length + width + height ≤ 130cm (51 inches).
2) On regular trains (K, T, Z, etc.): ≤ 160cm (63 inches); pole-shaped items ≤ 200cm (79 inches).
🔍 At the Security Check
· Every bag goes through the X-ray machine.
· Liquids, power banks, and some other items may need to be taken out or opened for checking. (Tip: Pack these items in an easily accessible place so you can grab them quickly.)
· If you refuse the check, you won’t be allowed in.
🚨 What Happens If You Break the Rules
· Banned items – Confiscated, and police may be called.
· Over-limit items – You have a few choices:
Check them as luggage (if allowed).
1) Hand them to someone seeing you off.
2) Store them at the station (free for up to 3 days).
3) Send them via express delivery.
4) Throw them away.
🚜 A Special Note for “Slow” Trains
Some slower, public-service trains in rural areas have different rules – they may allow small farm tools and a few live birds/animals. This only applies to those specific trains.
Disclaimer: The official information above was collected on July 31, 2026. Please refer to the latest official updates from 12306 for specific details.