China airport checkpoint procedures: things to watch out for
Feb 24, 2016, 3:51 am
#47
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,016
If your luggage is checked through from one international flight to another, I'm guessing they wouldn't harrass you over a battery or two. Otherwise, carrying on is the path of least resistance.
Feb 24, 2016, 4:02 am
#48
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 514
Sidenote: Does anybody know whether there is an airside duty-free shop that sells Xiaomi phones in CAN?
Feb 26, 2016, 6:51 am
#49
Join Date: May 2009
Location: SIN (with a bit of ZRH sprinkled in)
Posts: 9,451
I am planning to carry on two power banks for my handphone; neither has the milliAmpHour capacity marked on it. Are these likely to get confiscated from my carryon bag?
Sidenote: Does anybody know whether there is an airside duty-free shop that sells Xiaomi phones in CAN?
Sidenote: Does anybody know whether there is an airside duty-free shop that sells Xiaomi phones in CAN?
Feb 26, 2016, 7:24 am
#50
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 514
Were you a transit pax, or checking in at PEK? I am thinking of just printing my own labels showing the mAh ratings for each of my powerbanks.
Feb 26, 2016, 8:04 am
#51
Join Date: May 2009
Location: SIN (with a bit of ZRH sprinkled in)
Posts: 9,451
As much I'm aware, int-int security is using the same strictness, I wouldn't risk it. Not sure if self-printed labels would be fine enough. I guess it would be worth a shot if you can't check them in for whatever reason.
Mar 7, 2016, 7:11 am
#52
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Shanghai (PVG/SHA)
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Also, liquids have to be cosmetics only, in addition to being under 100 ml.
Overzealous guy wanted to confiscate my hand sanitizer in Wuyishan airport despite it being ok in already a number of international airports by then.
Came back from Luxembourg with a tube of mustard (gift from friend's mother), forgot I had to transit in PEK to get back to Shanghai. Bluffed the old guy that it was face cream, luckily he was an old uncle who presumably doesn't use makeup nor read French. Haha.
Overzealous guy wanted to confiscate my hand sanitizer in Wuyishan airport despite it being ok in already a number of international airports by then.
Came back from Luxembourg with a tube of mustard (gift from friend's mother), forgot I had to transit in PEK to get back to Shanghai. Bluffed the old guy that it was face cream, luckily he was an old uncle who presumably doesn't use makeup nor read French. Haha.
^
Mar 19, 2018, 11:29 pm
#54
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: DUS
Programs: BA Gold, A3*G, HH DIA, SPG Plat
Posts: 160
I have to dig out this old thread because I am still unable to figure out some details about the whole battery issue.
I have understood that it is crucial that the capacity is stated on the case of a power bank. But what about other devices? Mobile WiFi routers for example. I want to carry one that does not state its capacity on the outside. But neither does my phone, to be honest. And, even more important, I have to carry an NFC reader for a glucose sensor on my arm (I have diabetes), which does not have anything about its battery written on it, either. And the same is true for all blood sugar testing devices. All of them obviously have a battery.
Is there any problem carrying these things through China airport security?
I have understood that it is crucial that the capacity is stated on the case of a power bank. But what about other devices? Mobile WiFi routers for example. I want to carry one that does not state its capacity on the outside. But neither does my phone, to be honest. And, even more important, I have to carry an NFC reader for a glucose sensor on my arm (I have diabetes), which does not have anything about its battery written on it, either. And the same is true for all blood sugar testing devices. All of them obviously have a battery.
Is there any problem carrying these things through China airport security?
Mar 20, 2018, 12:35 am
#55
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: HKG
Posts: 1,053
I have to dig out this old thread because I am still unable to figure out some details about the whole battery issue.
I have understood that it is crucial that the capacity is stated on the case of a power bank. But what about other devices? Mobile WiFi routers for example. I want to carry one that does not state its capacity on the outside. But neither does my phone, to be honest. And, even more important, I have to carry an NFC reader for a glucose sensor on my arm (I have diabetes), which does not have anything about its battery written on it, either. And the same is true for all blood sugar testing devices. All of them obviously have a battery.
Is there any problem carrying these things through China airport security?
I have understood that it is crucial that the capacity is stated on the case of a power bank. But what about other devices? Mobile WiFi routers for example. I want to carry one that does not state its capacity on the outside. But neither does my phone, to be honest. And, even more important, I have to carry an NFC reader for a glucose sensor on my arm (I have diabetes), which does not have anything about its battery written on it, either. And the same is true for all blood sugar testing devices. All of them obviously have a battery.
Is there any problem carrying these things through China airport security?
Either way: Mobile wifi routers & phones & nfc glucose devices are no problem. Have carried all three on planes within China (the latter being carried by my companion).
Other things in my hand luggage over the past weeks with built-in/non-removable lithium batteries: a JBL boombox, underwater headphones, noise canceling headphones, an action cam, a shaver and a tablet. Not ever a single question asked.
Don't overthink it, they are really only out for powerbanks (and lighters!)
Mar 21, 2018, 6:16 pm
#56
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Everywhere and Nowhere
Programs: DL GM
Posts: 515
I have to dig out this old thread because I am still unable to figure out some details about the whole battery issue.
I have understood that it is crucial that the capacity is stated on the case of a power bank. But what about other devices? Mobile WiFi routers for example. I want to carry one that does not state its capacity on the outside. But neither does my phone, to be honest. And, even more important, I have to carry an NFC reader for a glucose sensor on my arm (I have diabetes), which does not have anything about its battery written on it, either. And the same is true for all blood sugar testing devices. All of them obviously have a battery.
Is there any problem carrying these things through China airport security?
I have understood that it is crucial that the capacity is stated on the case of a power bank. But what about other devices? Mobile WiFi routers for example. I want to carry one that does not state its capacity on the outside. But neither does my phone, to be honest. And, even more important, I have to carry an NFC reader for a glucose sensor on my arm (I have diabetes), which does not have anything about its battery written on it, either. And the same is true for all blood sugar testing devices. All of them obviously have a battery.
Is there any problem carrying these things through China airport security?
I've always found the process hilarious. Last time I was at PVG I had one carry on bag completely filled with Li-Ion powered electronic devices and batteries for cameras that barely even got a courtesy look but they read every letter of the label on my Anker battery packs.
Mar 22, 2018, 5:22 pm
#57
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 38,410
I've never encountered one. The only thing they care about is portable powerbanks. I've gone through PVG with a few dozen different types of Li-Ion devices and they couldn't possibly care less. I always just keep any powerbanks I'm carrying in the outer pocket of my carry on and I'm ready to hand it over for them to look at when I get to security.
I've always found the process hilarious. Last time I was at PVG I had one carry on bag completely filled with Li-Ion powered electronic devices and batteries for cameras that barely even got a courtesy look but they read every letter of the label on my Anker battery packs.
I've always found the process hilarious. Last time I was at PVG I had one carry on bag completely filled with Li-Ion powered electronic devices and batteries for cameras that barely even got a courtesy look but they read every letter of the label on my Anker battery packs.
I don't understand why it's about individual packs and not the total, though.
Mar 23, 2018, 7:57 pm
#58
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 246
I’m just glad that the last flight I had, they didn’t make me take the umbrella I forgot was in the bottom of my bag, out.
Mar 23, 2018, 8:19 pm
#59
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 38,410
My completely unsubstantiated theory is it is because you see so many knockoff’s sold on the street in China. The knockoffs may not be made particularly well and could be a safety hazard.
I’m just glad that the last flight I had, they didn’t make me take the umbrella I forgot was in the bottom of my bag, out.
Mar 23, 2018, 8:36 pm
#60
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 246