Planes, trains and aerosol cans.
 

Ok, couldn't get it to rhyme, but but sounds near enough! lol

During my YouTube learning academy course for my upcoming trip to Shanghai and Beijing, I've learned aspects of booking tickets, navigating train stations and security with their Xray machines.

So I can see that aerosol sprays are banned and will be confiscated. Is this All cans or just flammable ones? It wont be a major issue for me - I'll just take a roll on deodorant - but unsure how to get round shaving gel if that is banned? It is gonna be a huge issue for the wife with her hairsprays and mouse stuff! Obviously asking to make sure of full compliance - so just seeking a little clarity on what is allowed and what alternatives people might take instead (if any!)

Don't your tickets include a checked baggage allowance?

I’ve not bought any train tickets yet so have no idea how it works. I’m just referring to YT videos I’ve seen referencing Luggage going through X-Ray machines being searched and aerosols confiscated.

Might be easier if you could let me know what to expect? I wasn’t aware you check in luggage for the train that doesn’t go through an x-ray machine. I genuinely thought you took your luggage on the train with you.

Oh, I thought you were talking about flying. I don't recall ever taking a train that prohibited aerosols (in cabin).

Generally, I can’t say I usually travel on a train with an aerosol with luggage that needs security checked through an x-ray machine, but I’d imagine you’ve not been stopped for it because you’ve had no sprays.

That said, my question is purely to understand with confidence what the rules are and how to (legally) get round them.

https://www.travelchinaguide.com/chi...-allowance.htm

item 6 of restricted items… But still doesn’t really say why, if it’s all aerosols, if it’s just hand luggage or applies to suitcases. I suspect it applies to all?

Here are the official rules:
​​​​https://www.12306.cn/mormhweb/zxdt/2...617_37625.html

Only aerosols with flammable ingredients seem to be subject the 100 ml limit.

Thanks for that. Took a while to open for me but got there in the end. Assume there is no distinction between carry on and a suitcase as they are one and the same?


3. Restrictions on carry -on items

　　(ii) For non-self-spraying pressure container daily necessities containing flammable ingredients, such as perfume, floral water, spray, gel, etc., the volume of a single container shall not exceed 100 ml, and only one piece of each type may be carried.

　　( 3 ) The total amount of nail polish and nail polish remover shall not exceed 50 ml.

　　( iv ) Self-spraying pressure containers such as perm lotion, hair dye, mousse, hair spray, insecticide, air freshener, etc. The volume of a single container shall not exceed 150 ml. Only one piece of each type is allowed, and the total volume shall not exceed 600 ml.

So I’m guessing one 100ml hairspray and one 100ml mouse would be allowed and I’d be allowed to carry one each on for her too in my bag? I suspect all aerosols would be flagged up, so my planned multi train trip next year will see a lot of bag searches!

Thats not much! I can see her having to keep buying more every stop!

I'd feel bad if you ended up getting a prized bottle of hairspray confiscated based on my advice (so please don't regard this as advice), but I honestly wouldn't sweat this...at all, myself (I just checked my deodorant spray and it is 200 ml).​​​​

This was a small hiccup point when I visited Beijing last winter. It's not very consistently enforced, but often it will bring attention.

As it as a longer trip, I brought my normal-sized can of shaving gel, which is 200ml. Obviously for flying this goes in checked luggage.

For long-distance trains, it was caught by the machines but after they took it out and I explained what it was, they let it go.

For public transit in Beijing, it was hit or miss, but once I was refused entry to the PKX express because it was too large (I took a taxi, whatever). I say hit or miss, because it was not even mentioned when I passed thru the same contrôle a few days prior.

Long story short : Stick with the 150ml limit if you can. Otherwise, I am sure shaving creme is something readily available for purchase there.

This.

As a general rule, flights are much stricter than trains.
Airport carry-on luggage scans [obviously] is the strictest check.
I once had my car USB charger confiscated at PEK, because they deemed it a weapon:
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...f12b314332.jpg


Train stations can be a pain, if there is something going on at the destination: i.e. if you travel to Beijing during one of their govt. meetings, expect extra scrutiny.
I've had to open all my luggage right on the floor at a secondary screening right before going down to the platform on a trip to Beijing.

I've taken trains a bunch in China, but have always found train station security checks to be much less stringent than those at airports.

For Chinese airports, I always pack my umbrella/portable charger/coins/aerosols in a separate bag, knowing that those items will be scrutinized.
At train stations, there were never any secondary screenings.

However, at both locations there were always individual corporeal scans with metal detecting wands.

Train stations are generally more lax than airport security. Water bottles sometimes get confiscated, but most of the time they don't care enough to check.

You can get an extra check at the gate if the train is going to Beijing during politically-sensitive events.

OK, thanks for all the replies. Yes, |I suspect its a game of chance and likely you can pass through OK. Just think if I can avoid the risks perceived, I'm better doing so and now I know the reality, I can either gamble or not.

Incidentally, the https://www.12306.cn/ website. Is it actually possible to make a booking overseas? I've registered and inserted my passport details, but when I search for trains, I get told "system busy, try later". Ive attempted so many times over the last few weeks at different times of the day, Im getting the impression it cant be done. The App on my phone does actually come up with times (unlike in a web browser) just wondered if I'm just unlucky here.

The location of my Hotel is near the main station and looking, I can see there is a train at 07.00 from Shanghai to Beijing. Bit early but as its close and a fast one, it kind of makes sense. Hongqiao is probably an hour away, so saves that hassle. Metro doesnt open until 5.30 - but I suspect the first train at Xinjza Road will be a lot later. I'd prefer to give myself plenty of time and arrive at the station 1 hour prior to departure. I'm probably better just to grab a taxi - will that be a problem at 5.30am? I suspect not, but dont want to book a train if it may be difficult to be 100% certain of arriving in plenty of time.

To make train reservations less of a hassle, I strongly recommend doing a résa thru trip.com.

That way you can pay with your overseas bank card, the interface is in English, etc etc etc.... A lot of the local applis work but things get thorny when you don't have a chinese ID and mobile phone number.

That's not uncommon when accessing Chinese websites from overseas.


Also recommend trip.com. Simple, in-English, and can use many International payment methods.
There might be a small surcharge, but it's definitely worth it, IMO.