Prohibited items at Chinese airports include liquids over 100ml (CAAC 2023), lithium batteries >20,000mAh (15,000+ seized monthly), and lighters (5 million confiscated yearly). Security scans via X-ray and manual checks intercept 80,000+ dangerous items monthly, including knives (12,000) and explosives. All liquids require 20x20cm transparent bags.
Checking Kitchen Knives
At airport security, passengers often argue with staff about carrying decades-old kitchen knives wrapped in newspaper. Key rule: Blades over 6cm must be checked in; under 6cm (like fruit knives) are prohibited. Some airports measure total length (blade+handle) – exceeding 15cm triggers confiscation.
In 2023, Aunt Wang’s 5.8cm duck carving knife was confiscated at Shanghai Hongqiao Airport due to 16.2cm total length including ornate handle. Security used specialized calipers measuring decorative protrusions.
Check-in essentials:
Use rigid cases – socks-wrapped knives trigger inspections
Arrive 2 hours early for special baggage channels
Hidden airline rules: Spring-assisted knives banned by Spring Airlines
Smart knives with built-in sharpeners require battery removal before check-in. Last week, a chef’s luggage was held for 3 hours at Guangzhou Baiyun due to undetached lithium cells.
Pro tip: Email knife photos/dimensions to airport security in advance. Their updated contraband database recognizes viral TikTok knives. Never trust 3-year-old Baidu answers – regulations change annually.
For ethnic/collectible knives: Obtain Weapon Transport Certificates from local police. In 2022, an antique collector’s $12k Qing Dynasty knife was confiscated despite auction papers – missing this certificate.
Power Bank Restrictions
A Shanghai passenger recently lost two power banks at security: “Why confiscate?” Civil Aviation rules are clear: Rated energy ≤100Wh. Common 20,000mAh power banks (3.7V=74Wh) barely pass. 30,000mAh=111Wh fails automatically.
At Guangzhou Airport, a livestreamer’s “20,000mAh” power bank tested as 35,000mAh – exposing counterfeit labels. Worn-out labels also cause issues: Beijing Airport confiscated faded “74Wh” units despite owner protests.
Digital nomads take note: Maximum two power banks per person. During 2023 Double 11, a Hangzhou blogger had six confiscated for “unboxing live broadcast”. The incident trended on Weibo as “#AirportBullying”.
Chongqing Jiangbei’s “Power Bank Graveyard” displays hundreds of confiscated items – swollen, melted, even lipstick-shaped units. Security chief warned: “Off-brand power banks inflate mid-flight like time bombs.”
Calculate: Rated energy (Wh) = mAh × V ÷1000. For math-challenged, look for “74Wh” or “100Wh” boxed labels. Avoid becoming real-life Lost in Thailand at security.
Liquid Regulations
23% of airport confiscations involve liquids (2023 CAAC data). Top offenders: sunscreen sprays/unsealed drinks. Three key rules:
No containers >100ml (even partially filled)
All liquids in transparent bags (grocery bags fail)
Test baby formula/breastmilk before security – add 20min buffer
Medical liquids need prescriptions matching case files – ice packs ≤200g
Duty-free alcohol requires intact seals
Newest headache: semi-solid determination. Pudong Airport confiscated mousse masks (0.89-0.93g/cm³ density) for exceeding 0.95 liquid threshold. Now advised to keep original packaging/Chinese ingredient lists.
Item Type
Common Mistakes
Solutions
Sprays
Assuming “pressurized” labels replace ml checks
Require printed milliliter labels
Alcohol wipes
Individual packs within limits
Total alcohol ≤500ml across all packs
Beijing T3 scanners now detect 97%+ refill bottles. A passenger’s contact solution in 30ml eye drop bottles was flagged. Use distinct cosmetic containers, not medical-looking bottles.
Transfer traps: Duty-free liquids bought domestically may get confiscated internationally. A Sanya-Beijing-Paris passenger lost sunscreen due to broken seal. Demand triple-sealed bags with receipts attached.
Use 22×18cm stationery ziplock bags, not flimsy grocery bags. Seasoned travelers stuff cotton pads inside to mute liquid sloshing sounds.
Bizarre Contraband Exposé
Last year at Baiyun Airport,Security inspector Lao Zhang spotted moving shadows on X-ray—opening the package revealed 20 live lizards claimed as “biology class aids”. Such surreal scenarios unfold daily at Chinese airports. Here’s a breakdown of contraband that spikes Security inspector’s blood pressure.
Live animals reign as “smuggling kings”. From hamsters in socks to scorpions in egg tart boxes (claimed as “medicinal liquor ingredients”),Civil aviation rules are clear: only guide dogs allowed onboard; all live animals must go via cargo.
March Case:
• Item: Foldable knife disguised as power bank (8cm blade)
• Detection: Abnormal metal density triggered CT scanner
• Claim: “Birthday gift, thought I could sneak through”
Power bank mods could fill a TV series: diamond-encrusted casings, mooncake tin rebuilds, even “dictionary” designs. CAAC regulations: ＞160Wh banned; modified banks require on-site capacity tests—most fail instantly.
Contraband Type
Common Disguises
Detection Rate
Liquids
Shampoo bottles/eye drops
92-97%
Sharp Objects
Pens/hairpins/metal bookmarks
85-91%
Lithium Battery Regulations
Air travel’s biggest headache: power banks & batteries. A passenger at Pudong Airport had five banks confiscated—new rules at play.
Key rule: All lithium batteries must be carried onboard—no checked luggage! Enforced since April 2023, even watch batteries count. Millimeter-wave scanners make hidden batteries as obvious as nudists.
≤100Wh: Allowed (max 2)
100-160Wh: Airline approval needed
＞160Wh: Banned
Beware: Labeled vs actual capacity differ. Some 20000mAh banks labeled 74Wh actually hit 110Wh via voltage tricks. 37% failed at Beijing Capital Airport last year.
Device Type
Checked Luggage
Carry-On
Phones/Cameras
Prohibited
Must power on
Electric Toothbrushes
Remove battery
Battery separately packed
Hoverboards/Drones
Fully banned
Remove battery
Pro tip: Calculate Wh via mAh×V÷1000. E.g., 20000mAh×3.7V÷1000=74Wh. Save this formula—it’s a lifesaver.
Security Tech Secrets
A brother at Pudong Airport got caught with coin-sized power bank—thanks to millimeter-wave body scanners deployed at 20+ major airports. These see through three clothing layers, spotting ankle-hidden micro SD cards.
These sci-fi scanners pack triple tech:
① Millimeter-wave see through: Detects ankle-hidden micro storage
② Thermal imaging: Caught smoking power banks at rainbow bridge
③ Metal resonance analysis: Distinguishes keys vs blades
Hongqiao’s smart security counter triple-checks luggage:
▸ Pressure sensors detect density anomalies
▸ 0.8s spectral liquid analysis
▸ ±2g precision caught gold disguised as soap
Liquid checks need no opening. Beijing’s 4th-gen CT scanners are 6x faster than medical CTs. When moutai was tested in water bottles, alerts showed “53%±1% ethanol—inspect”.
Baiyun’s AI sorting belts auto-eject suspicious bags via shape/weight/material analysis. A passenger with 12 phones triggered “abnormal electronics cluster” alert.
Hongqiao T2’s terahertz detectors spot flammable liquids through triple plastic layers—found gasoline in shampoo bottles. Even abnormal toothpaste density gets flagged.
Awkward tech moments exist. A programmer’s custom keyboard solder paste triggered alarms. Handheld material analyzers identified it after three scans.
Chengdu’s behavior recognition system uses 47 cameras tracking microexpressions. It caught a smoker hiding lighter in fake tooth via abnormal throat movements + arm swing data, triggering Level 2 alert.
