China Power Bank Limit: Airline Rules & Travel Tips

Starting June 28, 2025, China will tighten its airport rules. If you are flying on a domestic route, only power banks with the “3C” certification mark will be allowed. Even if you land from Manila or Cebu and transfer to a local flight inside China, the rule still applies. Filipino travelers should check their power bank before packing to avoid losing it at security or facing delays at the airport.

Power Bank Regulations for Travelers Entering Mainland China

The Civil Aviation Administration of China announced that starting June 28, 2025, power banks without the official “3C” certification mark will not be allowed on board. This rule mainly applies to domestic flights and is meant to improve safety by preventing risks such as fire or smoke caused by faulty lithium batteries.

At many airports in China, special checkpoints are already in place. During security screening, staff may ask you to take out your power bank so they can check the label. Power banks will be considered “non-compliant” if they:

• Do not have the 3C mark
• Have a faded or unclear mark
• Have unclear capacity information
  

If your device falls into any of these categories, it will be confiscated or you will be asked to leave it behind before boarding.

Capacity Limits for Power Banks in China

Here are the actual limits you need to follow:

1. Up to 100 watt hours is allowed without asking for permission
2. Up to 100 to 160 watt hours is allowed but depends on airline approval
3. More than 160 watt hours is not allowed on any flight in or out of China
   

Most power banks used by Pinoys fall under the first category like 10000 mAh or 20000 mAh models. These are okay as long as the label is visible.

If your power bank is 30000 mAh or higher, check the watt hour rating because bigger models might cross the limit. The common mistake many travelers make is thinking only mAh matters but airlines look at watt hour.

Conversion Guide for mAh to Watt Hour

A lot of Filipinos get confused about WH. Use this quick formula:

mAh × Voltage ÷ 1000 = Watt hours

Here is an example using common power banks:

10000 mAh × 3.7 volts ÷ 1000 equals 37 WH
20000 mAh × 3.7 volts ÷ 1000 equals 74 WH

Understanding the 3C Certification in China

The “3C” certification stands for China Compulsory Certification (CCC), which is the country’s official safety standard for many electronic products, including power banks.

How the 3C mark looks:

• An oval-shaped logo
• Inside are three overlapping capital letters “C”
• Usually printed on the body, back, or a sticker on the power bank
• The mark must be clear and easy to read
  

If the logo is blurry, printed only on the box, or missing altogether, the power bank is considered not certified and cannot be brought on flights in mainland China.

Ways to Spot a 3C Certified Power Bank

The 3C certification (China Compulsory Certification) is the official safety mark required for power banks in mainland China. Here’s how you can spot it:

• Look for the logo: An oval-shaped mark with three overlapping “C” letters.
• Check the placement: The logo should be printed or engraved directly on the body, back, or a sticker on the power bank. If it only appears on the packaging box, it does not count.
• Clarity matters: The mark must be clear and easy to read. Blurry or faded logos will be treated as invalid.
• Other labels required: The power bank must also show the brand, model, and capacity (Wh/mAh). Missing information can lead to it being confiscated.

3C Mark Requirements for International Flights

At the moment, the 3C rule applies only to domestic flights within mainland China. If you are flying directly from Manila to Shanghai or from Cebu to Beijing, you will not be required to show a 3C-certified power bank on the international leg of your journey. Here’s what Filipino travelers need to know:

⚠️ However, here is the important part:

Many Filipino travelers do not just stay in one major Chinese city. A lot of business trips, tours, and family visits involve transfers to smaller inland cities. For example:

• Manila → Shanghai → Xi’an
• Cebu → Guangzhou → Kunming
• Davao → Beijing → Harbin
  

Once you transfer to a domestic flight, the 3C rule immediately applies. At that point, security officers will check your power bank. If it does not have a clear 3C mark, it may be confiscated on the spot, leaving you without one for the rest of your trip.

Other Rules for Bringing Power Banks on Flights

Aside from the 3C certification requirement, China’s aviation authority also sets strict rules on the size and the way you carry your power bank:

🔹 Carry-on only

• Power banks cannot be checked in with your luggage.
• They must always be placed in your hand-carry bag.
• If you put them in checked luggage, airport security will confiscate them immediately.
  

🔹 Capacity limits

• 100Wh or less: You may bring these freely, up to two units per person.
• 100Wh to 160Wh: Allowed, but only with airline approval.
• More than 160Wh: Completely banned from flights, with no exceptions.
  

🔹 Clear labeling is required

• Your power bank must show the brand, model, capacity, and 3C mark.
• If any of these details are missing, faded, or unclear, the device will be treated as unsafe.
• So-called “no brand” or poorly labeled units will be confiscated as dangerous goods.
  

🔹 Airport disposal boxes

• Most airports in China provide special recycling bins or disposal boxes near security checkpoints.
• Travelers are expected to leave non-compliant power banks there before boarding.

Tips to Avoid Losing Your Power Bank at Chinese Airports

Here are simple tips that actually work based on real travel stories from Filipinos:

1. Keep only one or two power banks in your bag so you do not attract unnecessary questions from airport officers, especially if they see multiple chargers during the scan.
2. Check the watt hour before packing your charger because even if the mAh looks safe, the final approval always depends on the WH number printed on the label
3. Bring the power bank in your carry on bag since placing it in your checked luggage will almost always lead to removal or strict questioning at the airport counter.
4. Take it out during security screening so officers can easily check it and you can avoid delays caused by having to remove items from your bag when they flag it on the X ray screen.
5. Avoid oversized power banks that look like laptop batteries because these bulky models often exceed the allowed watt hour limit and are more likely to be confiscated during inspection.

Travel Smoothly in China

Bringing the right power bank makes your trip in China much easier. It saves you from losing your charger at airport security and ensures your phone stays powered for maps, translation, and payments 💡.

Before you fly, check that your power bank has the 3C certification mark and follows the rules on capacity. Remember, only hand-carry is allowed, and oversized or unlabeled units may be taken away.

With a little preparation, you can keep your devices charged, avoid delays, and enjoy your journey across China worry-free 😊.