Originally Posted by
LHR/MEL/Europe FF
Most likely - all of you will be allowed through to collect bags and recheck. Middle ground - one of you is allowed entry to collect all bags and recheck, other three ramain in pure airside transit. Worst case - entry denied but airline rep collects bags to recheck them for you.
IMHO, since this is a 3hrs Intl to Intl PVG transit, having the airline rep collect and recheck the bags would be my best case.