Travellers risk having their battery packs confiscated when visiting the world’s most populous nation.

Paul Goldsack was taken aback to discover trays overflowing with seized power banks at two of China’s largest airports, Shanghai Pudong and Beijing Capital.

“At security, all power banks were being inspected, and it was the CCC marks they were looking for. In Shanghai, the security officer looking at my power bank pointed to the CCC mark and gave me a thumbs up,” Paul explained.

“Nobody checked at Gatwick when we took our first Air China flight, but in China, we made four other flights, plus the one back to London, and a battery pack was checked every time. All Chinese airports now check all power banks for a CCC-approved label. If the power pack doesn’t have one, they CONFISCATE it, no arguments. I personally saw multiple chargers being taken off other passengers. There were trays and trays full of power banks they had taken off travellers at each security point.

I was lucky a Chinese friend warned me, or my expensive power banks would be gone. ” China has introduced a power bank restriction on domestic flights, requiring a 3C certification label for all power banks. The three Cs stand for China Compulsory Certification. This rule, which took effect in June 2025, means most power banks sold internationally will be confiscated upon departure, as they do not have the required Chinese certification. Power banks should also not exceed 160 Wh and must be carried in carry-on luggage with the wattage and capacity clearly visible.

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“Currently, buying a power bank in the UK with a CCC label is hard. Amazon has a couple,” Paul noted. “It’s much easier to buy in China after arrival.”

It’s also important to note that power banks with a capacity of under 100 Wh are generally allowed, while those with a capacity between 101-160 Wh require airline approval. Power banks over 160 Wh are prohibited. Power banks are never allowed in checked baggage when flying into China. They must be carried in your hand luggage.

It’s wise to ensure the capacity (in Wh or mAh) and the 3C certification mark are clearly visible on the device. If not, security may confiscate it.

Over the last few years, several airlines have banned passengers from taking power banks on flights due to concerns that they could catch fire. Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air, and, now, Emirates have all banned the use of power banks on flights, while Cathay Pacific issued a similar ban effective from April 7, 2025.

Several airlines have begun implementing stricter regulations on another commonplace electronic device owing to comparable fire safety concerns. Taiwanese carriers EVA Air, UNI Air and Tigerair have banned Bluetooth earbuds, including Apple AirPods, from checked baggage.

These audio devices contain lithium batteries, similar to power banks. Since the earbuds undergo continuous charging whilst in their case, the potential for spontaneous combustion is heightened.

The New Zealand Aviation Authority has likewise established regulations expressly forbidding the placement of AirPods and other wireless earbuds in checked baggage on flights within its remit.

“Yes, you can take wireless earbuds and AirPods in your carry-on luggage. They must not go in check-in luggage under any circumstances,” the Kiwi aviation organisation explains.

“Each person is allowed a total of 20 spare batteries or power banks in their carry-on, unless an airline has approved the carriage of more batteries. The wireless earbuds/AirPods charger is considered one of the 20 spare batteries or power banks allowed in passengers’ carry-on.

“Some airlines, including Air New Zealand, specify in their conditions of carriage that you can only travel with your wireless earbuds / AirPods chargers in carry-on and not check-in luggage.”