I checked in at TPE for a CX/KA TPE-HKG-PVG. I had a separate ticket later that day for PVG-LAX on AA, and I asked the check in agent to check the bags through to LAX. She took a copy of my itinerary, and after 1-2min of typing, informed me that due to PRC regulations, my bags cannot be checked through. so I'll have to claim them in PVG and recheck for my AA flight.

Has anyone heard of anything like this before? This was at the F counter, and CX agents have interlined my bags on all sorts of bizarre combinations of carriers. So I know that CX agents can usually get something like this done if it's possible.

Is the issue that the bags can't go through on separate tickets when the connection is on the Mainland? Or is this a Taiwan/China thing? Or was the agent just making this up?

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I think it's about the interline capability at PVG, and honestly saying I will do reclaim and recheck, it's more secure.

+1

It seems like that is the issue and not a CX restriction....the thread title is a little misleading here.

Yup I can verify, when transiting in PVG you have to reclaim your bags and check again

In all my cases connection via a Chinese port I had to re-check my luggage.
Must be PRC regulation indeed.

Yep, I think they learned well from USA... can't checked all the way to the final destination.

Actually it's not exactly PRC regulation as you can interline if you are connecting to LX/LH/NZ, no need to pick up luggage. They probably negotiated something with the airport.

I think in the US you can check to a final destination beyond the US. You still need to claim bags and clear customs, but the bag can be tagged e.g. NRT-JFK-GRU and no need to redo the bag tag. Simply drop off with transfer counter after customs.

To get to HKG from the US, I've seen reasonable itineraries like ORD-PVG-HKG. What I'm trying to figure out is, could the AA or CX/KA agent on either end only check to PVG, and then you need to claim bag, clear customs, rip the old tags off, and then go check in as if you were not connecting?

as been said, yes that's exactly what you do:

Deplane, follow signs to baggage claim, show onward travel documents to immigration and either get a transit stamp or not depending on your passport, claim bag, exit hall, take escalator/elevator up and check in as you would any other flight.

It's not nearly as cumbersome as it seems. Immigration could be busy at times but generally is ok. Official MCT is 120 minutes, but I've done from touch down to my next gate (going through the above process) in under 60 minutes easily.

Now why would the agent have the time to make this up??

The issue here could possibly be that you have 2 seperate tickets and that PVG dictates that unless you have one ticket , then ongoing connections must be cleared and then rechecked in. I found however, that PEK does not have this restriction, so it must be just PVG is experiencing this issue.

PVG requires the process above, regardless if it's one PNR/tix or not. The only differentiating factor would be if connecting on LX/LH/NZ which can do through check. PEK has a different process as you indicated as one does not actually clear airside.

Useful links:

Transfer at PVG.

AC --> SQ @ PVG: through check and MCT?

Unfortunately I've had way too many agents on various airlines make up stories of why I can't do something to avoid doing work. Usually involves vague appeal to security/local regulation. Like the QF agent in SYD who told me no way can I check bags through HKG on an overnight transfer, that would violate HKG security rules (CX has done this for me many times though).

I've had typically outstanding experience with CX check-in staff, so it would surprise me that they would try to avoid doing something that would be allowed. But it wouldn't be the first time I've ever heard a bogus story from airline staff.

Nonono! Its because your bag hasnt gone through the check necessary for US-bound flight in HKG as you are only flying out to PVG~ so you need to do that in Shanghai.

So it is always recommended you take CX straight at HKG to avoid the trouble

Again, please refer to the cnx flowchart from PVG airport authority. This process has nothing to do with what you claim, as it applies to ALL international cnx, save for a couple mentioned.

I've personally have done this on my way to YYZ and know folks who went through same when destined to the EU.

Also, how is it that HKG-PEK-(USA) does not require your so claimed extra security check?