We will be in China this fall. We will have several internal flights. On luggage our tour company advises:

Due to strictly enforced weight restrictions on air carriers in China, checked luggage must not exceed 44 pounds, per person. Luggage exceeding the allowable weight is subject to excess baggage charges, which can result in a considerable extra expense.

ASSUMING WE HAD A BAG OVERWEIGHT BY 5 to 10 POUNDS, WHAT SHOULD WE EXPECT PER INTERNAL FLIGHT IN CHARGES? My hope is that we can stay under but ...

Regulations in China require that all checked baggage be locked, including outside packets and separate compartments. Sturdy hard-sided luggage is recommended.

HOW IMPORTANT IS HARD SIDED LUGGAGE? We don't own any.

The Chinese government has strict regulations regarding hand-carry luggage as well. The maximum weight is 10 pounds, and the MAXIMUM DIMENSIONS are 9" x 22" x14" (including all wheels, handles, etc.)

10 POUNDS? THE CASE EMPTY WEIGHES HALF THAT!! DO THEY REALLY WEIGH CARRY ONS? I CARRY A CPAP MACHINE. IN US IT IS ALLOWED AS AN ADDITIONAL CARRY ON PIECE. WHAT ABOUT IN CHINA?

Forgive the use of all caps. Sometimes it helps to separate inserted text from quoted message.

I'll take your questions in reverse order.

I don't know what a "CPAP" machine is, but I would expect no mercy from any airline, especially in China. Something like a newspaper or a clutch purse, or bag of cookies that you carry in your free hand does not count as a carry-on. A gym bag, medicine kit, or camera bag does count, and if you have two of these, then one must be checked.

Yes, they do weight carry-ons.

Hard side lugguage is a poor choice. I prefer to use a soft-sided wheelie with add-on straps to covert to a back-pack. I also NEVER put delicates like glass items in checked luggage. Use softside luggage to save weight, but assume someone will be dropping or throwing the luggage around violently (because they will!)

Here are the actual Chinese govt regulations which are written in metric.
One kg = 2.2 pounds.

"Free Luggage Allowance by Weight : The free luggage allowance by weight for every passenger holding a ticket with full fare or half fare for an international or regional flight is 40 kg for a first-class ticket, 30kg for a business class ticket, and 20kg for an economy class ticket. No free luggage allowance is granted to babies who pay 10 percent of the adult fare.

Carry-on Baggage : 2 pieces for a passenger holding a first-class ticket; and 1 piece for a passenger with a business or an economy-class ticket. The dimensions for each piece of luggage allowed should not exceed 20�40�55cm, and the maximum weight shall not exceed 5kg. You'll have to pay if you bring more luggage aboard than is allowed in terms of piece or weight."

I'm sorry but if 11 pounds carry-on plus 44 pound checked are insufficient for a package tour in China, then you are not packing correctly, and taking too much junk. (If you have special medical needs and stuff for that, I apologize, but then maybe you need to consult with your tour vendor about buying first-class tickets to accomodate your needs.)

I can travel weeks through asia using only carry-on luggage. If I buy a load of gifts (unbreakable stuff like silk), I just buy a cheap gym bag and check it for the trip home.

Bowgie

I agree that the allowance should be more than enough but.... We just did a cruise with two dress nights and I think between walking shoes, gym shoes, dress shoes, pool thongs, etc for two, I had about half a ton. Then add a large hair dryer and changes of dress clothing, etc and it was hernia time.

For China I am hoping that no dress jacket, tie or dress shoes are needed. My guess is that two 26" bags will do fine for the checked luggage and packed they will weigh less than 44 pounds each.

Doing laundry will be cheaper than paying for excess weigh I would think and we will have laundry options several times over the 17 night trip. My thought is to carry about 5 days worth of clothing and no more. The weather in October except for perhaps Hong Kong should be cool enough that clothing will stay relatively fresh (hope my wife doesn't read this).

For carry on I was hoping that my 22" (actually 21.5x13x9) bag would work. However 20 cm (under 8") wide seems the max as you suggested and not the 9" size my tour operator mentioned. Besides, it weighs almost 7 lbs empty. Guess I need to rethink that one. The back pack is likely how I will go for one carry on. As far as the CPAP unit goes, it is used for sleep apnea and weighs in at about 10 lbs with its case and accessories. I will assume that unlike the US it will serve as my sole carry on.

A site to virtually pack your bag is at http://www.20kilos.com/20kilos/index.php. It gives you an idea what your packed bag will weigh. Neat site. It estimated that I would have about 21.5 Kg bag included. It includes some items I can live without or carry on my person.

Am I correct in assuming that a multi-pocketed travel vest will not count against me and that I can wear my medium weight jacket as I board? My vest fully loaded is almost a carry on and I use it for toiletries, camera and assessories, prescription drugs, sun glasses, etc.

Thanks for taking the time to educate me. Tour operators advice varies and is rarely 100% correct.

I like the idea of your multi-pocketed vest, mshaikun!

My tactic usually is to carry some sturdy plastic grocery bags, folded down to a small size. Once aloft, I can then unburden my pockets one by one by emptying the contents little by little into the grocery bags. In a few moments, I end up being empty pocketed with a shopping bag full of odds and ends. This only works though, as I mentioned, once aloft when the flight attendants are busy serving drinks, etc. Enjoy your flights.

not ime. (i try to avoid checking luggage whenever possible, which means that my carry-on tends to weigh 25-40 pounds; never had a problem).

A "photographer's" or "fly-fishing" vest with loads of pockets won't count as "hand baggage" if you are actually wearing it. Neither will cargo pants.

However, wearing that kind of thing can be a hassle if you get an over-zealous security inspection and they ask you to empty all pockets... So I would recommend that you remove the vest and send it through the X-Ray when it comes to the security check.

Grocery bags. What an interesting idea. I usually just take the vest off and stuff it into the overhead on long flights or there or under my seat on short ones.

Internationally, we are in Business Class and have lots of room and no real weight limits. It is the intra-China flights that concern me. I do not want a problem there.

Five days worth of clothes! If you have room in your checked luggage, then no problem. If I were on a tour with a bunch of other people, there would be no point in trying to squeeze everything into carry-on like I usually do. Normally, I'm taking ONE change of pants and two shirts in my carryone and doing laundry in my hotel room every other day.

The vest will be fine for you, as would a fanny pack. My wife carries a big purple fanny pack with no problem. It doesn't count as carry-on, but I swear it makes her look like the butt end of an orangutan! If you can wear it, no problem.

I would not worry about going over ane inch on the short dimension of your carry-on; it won't matter. If it's close, nobody will care. The checked luggage, however, will be weighed.

Bowgie

Can a typical US 22" wheeled carry-on serve as a carry-on in China?

I never had a problem with carry ons in China so far, (even 3 pieces because my checked in weight was too much). But be aware: If you carry on bottles or cans with liquids they will open them to check if they are alcohol free. If they are not, you can't bring them.
And: If you fly out of Hong Kong, the carry on policy is strictly enforced. If the piece doesn't fit into the box you need a special permit from the airline. A second piece would also need a permit tag from the airline unless it is a laptop or a camera. (First and business class + 1 piece)