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Shanghai layover with China Eastern

HI

We have a layover in Pudong airport Shanghai of approx 14 hrs when we leave Europe will our bags be checked through to Australia. The reason is we want to book a hotel at Pudong airport after customs etc ie enter China. Do we need to have our baggage or are we allowed to enter China with just our carry on bags?

We don't necessarily need our checked baggage.

For a 14-hour layover in Shanghai Pudong Airport with China Eastern, the handling of your baggage depends on whether your flights are booked on a single ticket or separate tickets.

If your flights are on a single booking (Europe → Shanghai → Australia):

  • Most often, your checked baggage will be tagged through to your final destination (Australia).
  • However, if you plan to leave the airport and enter China for a hotel stay, you will need to collect your checked baggage at the arrival hall after immigration and customs.
  • After collecting your baggage, you can store it in airport luggage storage if you don’t want to take it to the hotel, then re-check it at the airline counter before your onward flight.

If your flights are booked separately (Europe → Shanghai and Shanghai → Australia):

  • Your checked baggage will not be automatically transferred, and you will need to claim it, go through customs, and then check it in again for your flight to Australia.

For your situation, if you only want to carry a small bag to the hotel, it is entirely possible:

  • You can leave the airport with just your carry-on bag after passing through immigration and customs.
  • The checked baggage can be stored at Pudong Airport luggage storage facilities for the duration of your layover.
  • Ensure you allow enough time to retrieve and re-check your baggage for the onward flight, ideally 2–3 hours before departure.

Tip: Pudong Airport has several official luggage storage options, including both short-term and long-term storage. Using these services will make your layover more convenient without having to take all checked baggage to the hotel.

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