Do I need a child seat in China, and can I rent one?
Yes, plan on a child seat: the guideline in China is a seat or a booster for a child under four, or shorter than 1.4 m. Rental companies usually do not have one, so you bring your own or buy one after you land.
Yes, plan on a child seat, and plan to bring it or buy one in China, because rental companies in China usually do not have one. It is one of the few things on a family road trip here that you cannot sort out at the rental counter, so it is worth a little thought before you fly. If you travel with us, we will make sure you have it ready for your trip.
Below is what the rule says, and then the two ways to get a seat.
What does the rule say?
Since 1 June 2021, China's Law on the Protection of Minors asks parents to equip the car with a child safety seat (Article 18). The national law does not give an age or a height. The guideline used in China is that a child under four years old, or shorter than 1.4 m (about 4 ft 7 in), rides in a child seat or on a booster cushion that meets the Chinese national standard GB 27887-2011. Some cities have their own rule on top of this, and Shanghai, for example, requires a seat for children under four.
Whatever the rule is in the city you are in, our own advice is simple: if your child uses a seat at home, use one here too. The driving days on a road trip can be long, and a child who sits safely and comfortably makes them better for everyone in the car.
A seat that you buy in China carries the 3C mark (the Chinese safety certification) and meets the standard. Otherwise, car seats certified to standards such as Europe's ECE R129 or the US's FMVSS 213 are widely recognized as safe. Bringing your own car seat from abroad for your own child is fine under Chinese law. You're not selling it, just using it.
Baby was enjoying the view outside on a grassland road.
Can I rent a child seat with the car?
Usually not. The local rental companies, eHi included, generally do not provide child seats.
Can I bring my own seat on the plane?
Yes, most international airlines check in one child seat per child for free, and some let you use the seat on board. The rules on size, weight and use in the cabin are different for each airline, so check with yours before you fly.
The good side of your own seat is that your child already knows it and you already know how to fit it. Check that it fits with the seat belts of your rental car before you set off.
Can I buy a child seat in China?
Yes. China has a wide choice of child seats at good prices. You find them on the big shopping platforms, Taobao (淘宝) and JD.com (京东), where some sellers also rent them out, and in baby shops in the cities.
A baby carrier is very helpful for sightseeing.
Is a booster enough for an older child?
By the guideline above, a child shorter than 1.4 m still rides on a booster cushion, and a child taller than that uses the normal seat belt.
Next step
The other thing to think about before you pack is what is in the bag: plugs, power banks and the rules for a drone.
