CCC Battery Certification: Rules for Power Banks in China

ByRui Yu Travel Essentials
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Chinese airports confiscate power banks with worn or missing labels. Not because they are over the limit, but because security cannot verify they are not. Here is how to check yours before you pack it.

power bank rules china

Airport security in China confiscates power banks more often than almost any other item. Here is the thing: most of the time, the power bank is within the allowed limit. It gets taken because the label is worn off, or the capacity is not printed on the body, or the Wh number is not visible. Security cannot verify it is allowed. So they take it. This guide tells you exactly how to check your power bank before you pack it and ensure this does not happen to you. Part of the China packing list.

Key Takeaways

  • Power banks in carry-on only. Banned from checked bags, no exceptions.
  • Under 100Wh: allowed without airline approval.
  • 100Wh to 160Wh: allowed with airline pre-approval (usually automatic).
  • Over 160Wh: not permitted on any flight.
  • No readable label = confiscated. Check your label right now.
  • Formula: Wh = mAh x 3.7 / 1,000. A 20,000mAh bank = 74Wh. Domestic flights guide for other aviation rules.

The CAAC Rules: Clear and Simple

CapacityWhat to Do
Under 100WhNothing. Just keep it in your carry-on.
100Wh to 160WhContact your airline before travel to confirm. Approval is almost always given.
Over 160WhDo not bring it on a plane. Full stop.
No capacity label visibleFix the label or leave it at home. Security will take it.
In checked baggage (any size)Remove it. Power banks in checked bags are always confiscated.

These rules come from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) and apply to all flights in or out of China, including domestic routes. They match the international IATA guidelines so they apply on your flights home too.

How to Check Your Power Bank in 60 Seconds

  1. Find the label on the body of the power bank. Back or bottom, usually.
  2. Look for mAh, V (voltage), and ideally Wh printed on the label.
  3. If it shows Wh directly: compare to the table above.
  4. If it shows mAh only: calculate Wh = mAh x 3.7 / 1,000.
  5. If the label is worn, unreadable, or absent: write the capacity on the device with a permanent marker, or buy a replacement.

Common Capacity Examples

Power Bank SizeWh (at 3.7V)Allowed on Flight?
10,000 mAh37 WhYes. No approval needed.
20,000 mAh74 WhYes. No approval needed.
26,800 mAh99 WhYes. Just under the limit.
30,000 mAh111 WhYes. Airline approval needed.
40,000 mAh148 WhYes. Airline approval needed.
50,000 mAh185 WhNo. Prohibited.

Why the Label Matters So Much

Chinese airport X-ray operators are trained specifically to flag power banks. When one is pulled for inspection, they check the label for the Wh rating. No label means no verification. No verification means confiscation. This happens to power banks that would have been fine if the label had been readable. Before any trip involving Chinese airports, physically look at your power bank’s label. If it is worn, take 30 seconds and fix it. It saves a ¥200 to ¥400 power bank.

Frequently Asked Questions

Wh = mAh x voltage / 1,000. Most power banks use 3.7V lithium cells. Example: 20,000mAh at 3.7V = 74Wh. Well under the 100Wh limit. A 30,000mAh bank = 111Wh. Requires airline approval. Some power banks print the Wh directly on the label alongside the mAh. If yours only shows mAh, use the formula.

Confiscated items are not returned. Airport security in China specifically screens for power banks. Unlabelled power banks are almost always taken, regardless of actual capacity. Power banks over 160Wh are confiscated without exception. The solution is simple: check your label before you pack. If the label is worn or missing, replace the power bank or use a permanent marker to write the capacity on the device.

Yes. Multiple power banks are allowed as long as each unit is within limits. There is no stated maximum number in CAAC regulations. Most airlines allow two units under 100Wh without question. For more than two, or for units between 100Wh and 160Wh, contact your airline before flying. All must be in carry-on, never checked bags.

No. Power banks are allowed on high-speed trains without any restrictions. The aviation rules apply only to flights. Power sockets (USB and standard plug) are available at every seat on high-speed trains.

Look for a label on the body of the device, usually on the back or bottom. It should show mAh (milliamp hours), V (voltage), and sometimes Wh directly. If nothing is printed on the device: contact the manufacturer for the spec sheet, or check the product listing online. If you cannot verify it, do not bring it on a plane. A replacement power bank under 100Wh costs $15 to $25 and will never be a problem.

For the full packing checklist, see Packing for China. For other domestic flight rules, see China Domestic Flights Guide.

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