China tightens power bank rules for flyers as MIIT drafts tougher safety standard

Why China is tightening rules on portable power banks

China is resetting the rules for mobile power banks in two ways. The Civil Aviation Administration of China has already barred non certified power banks from cabin baggage on domestic flights. At the same time, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has issued a draft product standard that would tighten how power banks are built, labeled, and tested. The draft is open for public comments until December 11. Together, they aim to cut the risk of fires from lithium batteries and will change what passengers can carry and what manufacturers can sell.

The new pressure follows a string of safety incidents in 2025. Aviation authorities reported 15 cases this year of power banks smoking or catching fire mid flight, roughly double the previous year. Large recalls have swept the market as brands traced problems to battery cells that overheated or deviated from approved specifications. Regulators also pulled or suspended 3C certifications for multiple manufacturers. China makes and uses more power banks than any other country, so even a modest change in rules touches millions of devices.

Travelers are already feeling the impact at security. Checkpoints now screen for a clear China Compulsory Certification mark, known as 3C. Models without that oval logo, labels that are worn or unclear, and any device named in recall notices are rejected. International safety marks like UL or CE do not substitute for 3C under Chinese rules. The result is that many older units and many devices bought outside the mainland are being taken out of circulation when passengers depart from China.

What the CAAC ban changes for travelers

Effective June 28, 2025, the CAAC ban prohibits carrying power banks on domestic flights unless the device bears a valid, clearly printed 3C label. Labels that are missing, damaged, or hard to read lead to rejection. Devices subject to manufacturer recalls are also prohibited. The rule applies to passengers and crew. Airport security teams have been told to step up visual checks and use temporary storage or disposal options to keep non compliant devices off aircraft.

Airports in major cities now offer help for travelers caught by the rule. Many terminals provide free short term storage, paid mailing services, and safe disposal for batteries. If a device is swollen, damaged, or has exposed wiring, storage and mailing services may refuse it on safety grounds. Some airport notices advise that a non compliant power bank can enter the country, but when departing China it will not pass security.

Where the rule applies

The emergency notice covers domestic flights that depart from mainland China. In practice, checkpoints at some airports apply the same checks to many outbound international flights. Flyers connecting to another country after a domestic leg should plan as if the rule will be enforced throughout the journey. Flights to and from Hong Kong and Macau follow local rules by those authorities.

Capacity and carry rules

Battery size limits still apply. Under 100 watt hours is generally allowed in carry on baggage. Between 100 and 160 watt hours may require airline approval and is commonly limited to one or two units. Over 160 watt hours is not allowed. Power banks must be kept out of checked baggage. Many Chinese carriers also restrict using power banks during the flight. If a crew allows in seat charging, keep the device visible and within reach for inspection.

What the 3C mark means and why older units fail checks

3C, short for China Compulsory Certification, is the national safety mark for a range of products. For power banks, 3C became a formal requirement in August 2023 when the market regulator added lithium cells, packs, and mobile power supplies to the catalog that needs certification. On August 1, 2024, making, selling, or importing power banks for commercial use without 3C became illegal. That timeline means many devices bought before 2024 do not carry the mark. Units made for export often lack it too. Security staff look for a clear 3C logo on the casing, readable capacity information, and model details.

A 3C label is required, yet not a guarantee that a unit will be accepted. Devices that appear on recall lists fail screening even if they once had valid 3C paperwork. China’s market regulator has revoked or suspended certifications for several companies after safety problems. Airports may ask passengers to confirm that a device is not on a recall list by checking serial numbers or batch codes. Enforcement can vary by airport, so it pays to prepare.

MIIT draft standard raises the bar again

MIIT’s draft technical standard would force a deeper redesign of many power banks. The text calls for clear labeling of battery chemistry, production date, and a recommended safe use period. It sets tight performance expectations. A compliant device should have no fire, no combustion, no cracking, and no leakage in test situations that include short circuits and heavy use. The draft also demands that power banks remain safe under high pressure and high temperature conditions. The China Electronics Standardization Institute has said a final version could take effect by mid 2026, followed by a six to twelve month grace period.

The aviation rule and the product standard sit on different tracks, yet they interact. CAAC controls what can enter the cabin. MIIT sets the technical basis that supports 3C certification. If MIIT tightens the underlying tests and labeling rules, manufacturers will need to update designs to keep their 3C status. Passengers can keep using 3C labeled power banks while the draft is reviewed. Once the new standard takes effect, some models may fall out of compliance until they are revised.

What this could mean for airline carry rules

The next generation of power banks is likely to include better cell quality, stronger enclosures, more precise battery management systems, and clearer markings. Devices could gain a little weight or cost more as brands add safety margin. Imported models will remain excluded from flights in China unless they carry the 3C mark and meet the new Chinese tests.

Recalls, revoked certificates, and supply chain scrutiny

Several high profile cases have shaped the new stance on safety. Manufacturers recalled large batches in 2025 after discovering overheating and insulation failures in lithium cells, and regulators have stripped certifications in response. The pattern points to quality drift in complex supply chains and the risk that a small change in a cell supplier can ripple across many finished products.

• Romoss halted power bank production in July after recalling nearly half a million units. Its 3C certificates were revoked.
• Anker and partners recalled more than one million power banks after reports of overheating and smoke. Investigations traced issues to cells from a supplier later identified in public notices.
• Regulators suspended dozens of related 3C certifications while audits were conducted and replacement parts sourced.
• Aviation authorities reported 15 mid air incidents this year involving smoking or burning power banks.

Airports and airlines are changing workflows

Checkpoints now look first for the 3C logo, then verify that the label is clear and the capacity falls within the usual watt hour limits. Some airports ask that power banks be placed separately on the belt for inspection. Terminals including Guangzhou Baiyun and Chongqing Jiangbei have set up free short term storage for up to seven days, plus courier counters that can mail a device to a home address. Storage and mailing services refuse batteries that are swollen or damaged.

Shared power bank networks are also adapting. Audits in big city malls found most shared units labeled with 3C, while older units persisted in night markets and older districts. The sector is vast, with millions of rental docks nationwide and steady growth in recent years. Operators are expected to swap out non compliant stock and to prove that existing fleets meet the mark.

Practical checklist for passengers

A quick check before leaving for the airport can save time at security. Use this list to reduce the chance of a confiscation or delay.

• Look for the 3C oval logo printed on the casing. A sticker or faint print may be rejected.
• Confirm that brand and model text and capacity numbers are easy to read.
• Keep to 100 watt hours or less for the smoothest screening. If your unit is between 100 and 160 watt hours, seek airline approval in advance.
• Carry power banks in hand luggage. Never check them.
• Keep the unit within reach during the flight and do not use it unless crew say it is allowed.
• Check recall notices on the brand site or through China’s defective product recall portal.
• If your power bank does not have 3C, plan to buy a compliant one in the mainland or use public charging.
• For transfers through mainland airports, treat all segments as subject to the 3C rule.
• For flights involving Hong Kong or Macau, check those local rules separately.
• Convert capacity if your unit lists only milliamp hours. Use Wh = (mAh x Voltage) divided by 1000.

What manufacturers and sellers should expect

For producers, the draft standard signals more demanding tests and more auditing. Factories that once relied on affiliate programs or borrowed credentials will face stricter verification. Regulators have warned that selling non certified power banks can bring fines from 50,000 to 200,000 yuan and seizure of goods. Expect more random sampling at warehouses and retail points, tighter traceability of battery cells, and a stronger focus on change control when a supplier substitutes a part. International brands that want access to the China market or want their devices to pass airport checks will need dedicated 3C certified versions with the mark printed on the device.

How China’s move fits global aviation safety trends

China’s policy fits a wider push to reduce lithium battery risks on aircraft. International guidance treats power banks as spare batteries that belong only in cabin baggage, never in checked bags. Most airlines worldwide allow units up to 100 watt hours, require approval for 100 to 160 watt hours, and ban anything larger. Several carriers now ask passengers to keep power banks visible and disallow charging during the flight. The CAAC has said it will manage power bank risks in line with international technical instructions used in civil aviation.

What to Know

• Non 3C power banks and recalled models are banned on domestic flights in China from June 28, 2025.
• The 3C mark must be clear and printed on the device. Other certifications like UL or CE are not accepted.
• Many older or overseas purchased power banks lack 3C and are being confiscated at security checkpoints.
• Airports offer storage, mailing, or safe disposal. Damaged or swollen batteries are refused for storage or mailing.
• Under 100 watt hours is generally allowed in carry on baggage. Between 100 and 160 watt hours may require airline approval. Over 160 watt hours is prohibited.
• MIIT’s draft power bank standard is under consultation and could take effect by mid 2026 with a six to twelve month grace period.
• Stricter product tests will push redesigns as brands work to keep or regain 3C certification.
• Shared power bank providers and retailers are expected to remove non compliant units and verify labels at scale.
• For departures from mainland China, expect checks on international flights too. Carry power banks in hand luggage and avoid in flight use unless crew approve.