Can I bring my power bank on flights inside China?
Domestic flights require a clear 3C mark, which most foreign banks lack. International legs: under 100 Wh, checks vary.
What it depends on
- IfAny mainland domestic sector, including the domestic leg of an international itinerary→ thenOnly a bank with a clear 3C mark boards. Foreign banks: leave at home or buy a local one.
- IfInternational or HK/Macau/Taiwan flight departing the mainland→ thenThe notice leaves the old rule in place (no more than 100 Wh, legible rating, carry-on). Usually passes, but some airports also check 3C. Ask ahead.
- IfHigh-speed rail, trains, metro→ thenTrains do not check 3C; the rating must be legible and no more than 100 Wh. For metros, follow the local list.
- IfStopped at security→ thenDiscard, mail it from the terminal, or store it (fees and periods vary by airport). Buy a 3C bank in the city.
Since 28 June 2025 the Civil Aviation Administration of China bans power banks with no 3C (CCC) mark, an unclear mark, or a recalled model/batch from mainland domestic flights. The rule keys on the printed mark, not on where you bought the unit or your nationality: a bank with only CE, UL, FCC or PSE marks fails. Airport security at Shanghai Hongqiao told reporters on day one that foreign-made banks without 3C do not pass.
In the first week, some press reports claimed foreign-made power banks were exempt. Security desks, the notice (which gives no exception by origin) and a year of enforcement reports contradicted that claim. Do not rely on it for domestic flights.
The notice covers domestic flights only. International departures and flights from the mainland to Hong Kong, Macau or Taiwan retain the earlier rule: no more than 100 Wh, a legible energy rating and carry-on only. Anonymous forum reports from Shanghai Pudong (August 2025, May 2026) describe non-CCC power banks passing on international departures. Press reports and a tech journalist describe some airports checking 3C in international lanes too, especially at checkpoints shared with domestic passengers. Non-CCC banks usually pass, but ask your airline or airport before relying on that.
The trap is the connection: fly Tokyo→Shanghai→Beijing and the Shanghai→Beijing sector is domestic, so your foreign bank is stopped there. Arrival screening does not exist for cabin items; the problem starts at your next mainland departure.
China Railway's rule is “clearly marked, ≤100 Wh per unit”. The operator confirmed in July 2025 that trains do not check 3C. We found no national 3C requirement for metros; follow the prohibited-items list published by the city you are in.
The 2014 CAAC capacity rules still apply: no more than 100 Wh without approval; 100–160 Wh with airline approval, limited to two units; over 160 Wh prohibited. Power banks must never go in checked baggage or be used to charge devices in flight. Check your airline, as it may set stricter rules. To calculate energy, Wh = V × mAh ÷ 1000. A 20,000 mAh bank rated at 3.7 V is 74 Wh.
If security stops your power bank, the airport may offer disposal, a courier service in the terminal or storage. Beijing Capital offered 7 days of free storage (CCTV report, July 2026); Guangzhou Baiyun charged ¥20 a day (July 2025). Fees and storage periods vary and can change, and couriers may refuse it. You can also buy a compliant bank after arrival. Every power bank legally sold in mainland China since 1 August 2024 must carry the 3C mark. Check the mark, the printed energy rating and the recall list yourself.
A new national standard (GB 47372-2026, issued 31 March 2026, effective 1 April 2027) and a traceability QR code beside the 3C mark (required on new certifications from 1 March 2026 and on all certified products from 1 March 2027) are manufacturer obligations. No CAAC rule ties boarding to the QR code or the new standard; MIIT stated in April 2026 that already-certified banks remain boardable.
Sources
- CAAC — 关于禁止旅客携带没有3C标识等充电宝乘坐境内航班的紧急通知 (CAAC: Urgent notice banning power banks without the CCC mark on domestic flights)OfficialOpen source ↗
- CAAC (English) — power bank noticeOfficialOpen source ↗
- CAAC East China Regional Administration — 充电宝安全管理部署 (CAAC East China Regional Administration: power bank safety measures)OfficialOpen source ↗
- CAAC — 关于旅客携带充电宝乘机的公告 (2014) (CAAC: Notice on passengers carrying power banks on flights, 2014)OfficialOpen source ↗
- China Eastern — safety rules for lithium batteriesOfficialOpen source ↗
- 国家铁路局/公安部 — 铁路旅客禁止、限制携带物品目录 (2022) (National Railway Administration / Ministry of Public Security: list of items banned or restricted on trains, 2022)OfficialOpen source ↗
- SAMR — 移动电源 CCC 管理要求（人大建议答复） (SAMR: CCC requirements for power banks, reply to an NPC proposal)OfficialOpen source ↗
- SAMR — 充电宝等产品 CCC 标志加施追溯二维码的公告 (SAMR: Notice on traceability QR codes with the CCC mark on power banks and similar products)OfficialOpen source ↗
- 北京市市场监管局 — 充电宝 3C 标志加贴追溯二维码 (Beijing Administration for Market Regulation: traceability QR codes added to power bank CCC marks)OfficialOpen source ↗
- SAMR openstd — GB 47372-2026 移动电源安全技术规范 (SAMR openstd: GB 47372-2026 safety technical specification for power banks)OfficialOpen source ↗
- SAMR — GB 47372-2026 纳入 CCC 认证依据 (SAMR: GB 47372-2026 added to the basis for CCC certification)OfficialOpen source ↗
- CNCA — 2026 年第 7 号公告 (GB 47372-2026 纳入 CCC) (CNCA: Announcement No. 7 of 2026, GB 47372-2026 added to CCC)OfficialOpen source ↗
- 第一财经 — 记者实测虹桥安检 (Yicai: reporter tests security screening at Hongqiao)PressOpen source ↗
- 新京报 — 虹桥 T1 国际出发实地 (Beijing News: on the ground at Hongqiao T1 international departures)PressOpen source ↗
- 新华社 — 国铁集团：火车不查 3C (Xinhua: China Railway says trains do not check the CCC mark)PressOpen source ↗
- IT之家 / 央视 — 新规一周年梳理 (IT Home / CCTV: one year of the new rules)PressOpen source ↗
- 澎湃 — 广州白云机场充电宝暂存 20 元/天 (The Paper: Guangzhou Baiyun Airport stores power banks for ¥20 a day)PressOpen source ↗
- 华声在线 — 工信部答复：已认证充电宝仍可携带乘机 (Voc.com.cn: MIIT reply says certified power banks can still be carried on flights)PressOpen source ↗
- 扬子晚报 via 新浪 — 大象新闻「国外生产可豁免」说法 (Yangtse Evening Post via Sina: Elephant News on the claim that foreign-made power banks are exempt)PressOpen source ↗
- Techlicious — Flying within China: your power bank needs a 3C labelPressOpen source ↗
- FlyerTalk — China bans power banks without 3C (thread p.2)CommunityOpen source ↗