China’s CCC Power Bank Rule: What Travelers Need Before Domestic Flights

China has tightened power bank checks for domestic flights, making the country’s CCC, or 3C, certification mark a practical packing issue for travelers flying within mainland China.

The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) says passengers may not carry power banks without CCC markings, with unclear CCC markings, or from recalled models and batches on domestic flights from 28 June 2025. The rule is aimed at reducing fire and smoke risks linked to lithium battery products carried by passengers.

Who needs to pay attention?

The rule is most important for travelers who have a domestic flight inside mainland China, such as Shanghai to Beijing, Guangzhou to Chengdu, or an international arrival followed by a separate Chinese domestic connection. In practice, the security check for that domestic leg is where a non-compliant power bank can become a problem.

The confirmed CAAC notice refers to domestic flights. That means this should not be read as a global rule for all flights to Asia, or as a requirement that every airline worldwide now accepts only China-certified power banks. However, travelers departing Chinese airports should still check their airline and airport guidance, because local screening practices can be stricter than what passengers are used to elsewhere.

What is the CCC or 3C mark?

CCC stands for China Compulsory Certification. China added lithium-ion batteries and mobile power supplies, including power banks, to its compulsory certification system in 2023. From August 2024, power banks produced for the Chinese market were required to comply with 3C requirements. The Shanghai municipal government advises travelers to choose power banks with a clear 3C label and to prioritize units manufactured after August 2024.

For foreign visitors, the important point is that many older or overseas-bought power banks may carry other marks such as CE, FCC or UKCA, but not China’s CCC mark. Those marks do not replace 3C for the Chinese domestic-flight rule.

What happens to older power banks?

An older power bank is not automatically unsafe, but it may be unusable for a China domestic flight if it lacks a clear CCC/3C mark. Power banks with worn labels, unclear capacity information, missing 3C certification, or recalled model or batch numbers may be refused at security. Travelers should not assume that a power bank accepted in Europe, North America, Southeast Asia or on a previous international flight will be accepted on a domestic flight in mainland China.

Before flying, check three things: whether the 3C mark is visible, whether the watt-hour rating or capacity is clearly printed, and whether the model has been recalled. If the label is damaged or the unit is old and unmarked, replacing it before the domestic flight is safer than risking confiscation at the airport.

Capacity limits still apply

The 3C mark is not the only requirement. Standard lithium battery limits still matter. Power banks up to 100 watt-hours are generally allowed in the cabin. Power banks between 100Wh and 160Wh usually require airline approval. Anything above 160Wh is normally not permitted on board.

To estimate watt-hours, multiply capacity in amp-hours by voltage. A 20,000mAh power bank at 3.7V is about 74Wh, while a 27,000mAh model at 3.7V is about 100Wh. Capacity and voltage should be printed clearly on the device.

How this differs from other Asian power bank rules

Several Asian airlines and regulators have also tightened power bank rules after lithium battery fire incidents, but those rules are different from China’s CCC requirement. They usually focus on onboard use and storage: power banks must be in cabin baggage, may not be placed in checked baggage, and may not be used or charged during the flight.

Examples include Thai Airways, AirAsia and Singapore Airlines, which prohibit using or charging power banks on board. Hong Kong’s Civil Aviation Department has also introduced rules for passengers departing Hong Kong International Airport, including a maximum of two power banks per passenger and a ban on recharging power banks during the flight. These measures do not mean that the Chinese 3C mark is required across Asia.

Practical checklist before flying in China

• For mainland China domestic flights, carry only power banks with a clear CCC/3C mark.
• Do not rely on CE, FCC or other non-Chinese labels as a substitute for 3C.
• Make sure the capacity and watt-hour information are readable.
• Keep the power bank in hand luggage, not checked baggage.
• Do not bring recalled models or batches.
• For larger power banks between 100Wh and 160Wh, confirm airline approval before travel.
• On Asian airlines, check whether using or charging a power bank during the flight is prohibited.

The safest option for travelers with a China domestic flight is to use a newer, clearly labelled 3C-certified power bank and keep it accessible in cabin baggage.