Power Bank Flight Rules by Country (2025–2026)

Power banks are classified as spare lithium-ion batteries under international aviation law, which means they are banned from checked baggage on all commercial flights worldwide and must travel in carry-on luggage only. The universal capacity limit is 100Wh (roughly 27,000 mAh) without special approval — anything above that enters restricted territory. But since 2025, several countries and airlines have layered additional rules on top of this baseline.

This article covers the Wh/mAh limits, country-specific certification requirements, in-flight usage restrictions, and what happens if your power bank doesn’t meet the local rules.

Quick Answer

Power banks must go in carry-on luggage — never checked baggage, on all flights worldwide
Under 100Wh (~27,000 mAh): permitted on virtually all flights with no approval needed
100–160Wh: allowed on most airlines with prior airline approval, max 2 units per person
Over 160Wh: banned from all commercial passenger aircraft
China now requires a 3C certification mark for domestic flights (since June 28, 2025)
Most Asian and Australian airlines now prohibit in-flight use and overhead bin storage

The Universal Baseline: How Wh Limits Work

Aviation authorities regulate power banks based on watt-hours (Wh), not the mAh figure printed on most consumer devices. The International Air Transport Association (IATA), the FAA (USA), and EASA (EU) all use the same three-tier framework:

Capacity	Status
0–100 Wh	Permitted in carry-on, no approval needed
101–160 Wh	Permitted in carry-on with airline approval, max 2 units
Over 160 Wh	Prohibited on all commercial passenger flights

Most consumer power banks operate at 3.7V nominal voltage. The formula to convert mAh to Wh:

Wh = (mAh × 3.7) ÷ 1,000

Practical reference points:

mAh Rating	Approximate Wh	Flight Status
10,000 mAh	37 Wh	✅ No restrictions
20,000 mAh	74 Wh	✅ No restrictions
26,800 mAh	~99 Wh	✅ No restrictions (just under limit)
27,000 mAh	~100 Wh	✅ Borderline — verify airline policy
30,000 mAh	~111 Wh	⚠️ Requires airline approval
43,000 mAh	~160 Wh	⚠️ Requires approval (maximum allowed)
50,000 mAh	~185 Wh	❌ Banned

If the Wh rating is not printed on the device, security may confiscate it even if it’s technically within the limit. Always verify the label is legible before travel. If only mAh is shown, calculate the Wh yourself and keep the original packaging with the full specification.

Why Carry-On Only?

Lithium-ion batteries are capable of thermal runaway — a self-sustaining chemical reaction that produces intense heat, smoke, and fire without warning. The FAA documented record numbers of battery-related incidents in 2024–2025.

Cargo holds lack the fire detection and suppression systems available in passenger cabins. Flight crews are trained to manage battery fires in the cabin; they cannot respond to an incident in the hold. This is why every aviation authority worldwide, without exception, bans power banks from checked luggage — including smart luggage with built-in batteries.

If your carry-on is gate-checked at the jetway, remove the power bank before handing the bag over and keep it with you in the cabin.

Country and Region Rules (2025–2026)

United States (FAA / TSA)

The FAA and TSA apply the standard IATA framework with no additional restrictions beyond the Wh tiers. Power banks must be in carry-on baggage only. There is no quantity limit on sub-100Wh units for personal use. Batteries carried for resale or commercial distribution are prohibited regardless of capacity.

In-flight use is not regulated at the federal level — individual airline policies apply.

European Union (EASA)

EU member states follow EASA guidelines, which align with IATA’s baseline. Under 100Wh with no restriction, 100–160Wh with airline approval, over 160Wh banned. Most major European carriers (Lufthansa, Air France, KLM, Ryanair, easyJet) currently allow in-flight use and overhead bin storage for compliant power banks. Power bank terminals must be protected from short circuits, and devices with unclear capacity labels may be refused at security.

China (CAAC) — New Rules Effective June 28, 2025

China now has the most prescriptive power bank regulations globally. In addition to the standard Wh limits, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) introduced a mandatory certification requirement for domestic flights.

Requirements for flights within China:

The power bank must display the CCC mark (China Compulsory Certification, also written as “3C”) — three letters enclosed in an oval
Capacity must be clearly printed on the device
Maximum 2 power banks per passenger
In-flight use is prohibited — device must remain switched off throughout the flight
Charging via aircraft USB ports or in-seat outlets is prohibited

Critical distinction: The CCC mark is not the same as the CE mark (European Conformity). A power bank with only a CE mark will be confiscated at Chinese airport security — including reputable international brands and devices physically manufactured in China. Products made for export meet CE or FCC standards, not CCC.

The CCC requirement formally applies to domestic Chinese flights. In practice, travelers report confiscations on international flights departing Chinese airports, particularly on itineraries with a domestic connecting leg. If traveling to or through China, purchase a CCC-certified power bank inside China (available from Xiaomi, Huawei, Baseus, and Anker stores in-country) or verify certification before departure.

South Korea

Following an Air Busan fire incident in January 2025 — where a portable battery pack ignited on the ground at Gimhae International Airport — South Korea’s aviation authority introduced stricter rules in March 2025 that other Asian carriers subsequently adopted:

Power banks must be stored in the seat pocket or under the seat, not in overhead bins
In-flight use and charging are banned
Port terminals must be covered with tape or a protective pouch
Korean Air, Asiana, and Air Busan all enforce these rules

Japan

Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transportation and Tourism issued a directive prohibiting overhead bin storage of power banks. Devices must be kept with the passenger in the seat pocket or under the seat in front. Standard Wh limits apply.

Hong Kong

The Civil Aviation Department mandated that local airlines prohibit in-flight use, charging, and overhead bin storage (effective April 7, 2025). Power banks must be kept in the seat pocket or under the seat.

Singapore

Singapore Airlines and Scoot ban in-flight use and charging of power banks entirely. Standard capacity limits apply. Overhead bin storage is currently allowed.

India (DGCA)

India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation prohibits in-flight use and charging of power banks. Devices must remain switched off and in personal possession throughout the flight.

Australia

Qantas introduced updated safety measures effective December 15, 2025, following collaboration with IATA and Oneworld carriers:

In-flight use is prohibited
Charging via in-seat power or USB ports is prohibited
Maximum 2 power banks per passenger, each not exceeding 160Wh
Devices must be kept in the seat pocket or under the seat in front
Power banks without visible Wh or mAh specifications are treated as prohibited items

Asian Airline Summary Table

Airline / Region	In-Flight Use	Overhead Bin	Notes
Emirates	Banned	Allowed	Max 1 power bank under 100Wh
Malaysia Airlines	Banned	Banned	Seat pocket or under-seat only
AirAsia	Banned	Banned	Seat pocket or seat-back pocket only
Thai Airways	Banned	Allowed	Rules updated March 15, 2025
EVA Air / China Airlines	Banned	Allowed	May require insulated ports at some airports
Cathay Pacific / HK Express	Banned	Banned	Under-seat storage only
Singapore Airlines / Scoot	Banned	Allowed	Standard Wh limits apply
Korean Air / Asiana / Air Busan	Banned	Banned	Ports must be covered; under-seat only

What “Airline Approval” Means for 100–160Wh Devices

Most airlines do not have a formal pre-travel approval process for 100–160Wh power banks. In practice, approval means the Wh rating is clearly marked on the device and verifiable by security staff on the day. Some airlines list prior approval as available through their customer service lines.

Arriving at the gate with an unlabeled large-capacity power bank and expecting clearance is unreliable. If the Wh cannot be verified, security has grounds to confiscate the device regardless of its actual capacity.

Practical Checklist Before Flying

Before you pack:

Find the Wh rating printed on the device — if only mAh is shown, calculate Wh as (mAh × 3.7) ÷ 1,000
Confirm the rating label is legible and not scratched or faded
If flying to or through China, verify the CCC mark is present (not just CE)
Check your specific airline’s current policy page — rules changed significantly in 2025

At the airport:

Keep power banks in carry-on luggage only, never checked bags
If your carry-on is gate-checked, remove the power bank before handing over the bag
Have the device accessible — security may ask you to present it separately

During the flight:

If your airline prohibits in-flight use, keep the device switched off in your seat pocket or under the seat in front
Do not charge via power bank while connected to aircraft USB ports where prohibited
Cover charging ports with tape or a protective case on South Korean carriers

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bring two power banks on a plane?
Yes, for sub-100Wh devices, most airlines allow multiple units. For 100–160Wh devices, the limit is strictly two per passenger with airline approval.

What happens if my power bank has no Wh label?
Security may confiscate it. Without a verifiable capacity rating the device cannot be confirmed as compliant. If your device only shows mAh, carry original packaging with the full specification, or calculate and label the Wh value yourself.

Are the rules the same for domestic and international flights?
The Wh limits are consistent globally. China’s 3C certification requirement formally applies to domestic Chinese flights, though enforcement extends to international departures from Chinese airports in practice. In-flight usage rules vary by airline rather than by route.

My power bank is 20,000 mAh. Is it allowed?
At 3.7V, 20,000 mAh is approximately 74Wh — well under the 100Wh threshold. It is permitted on virtually all commercial flights in carry-on luggage with no approval needed. Exception: flights within China also require a visible 3C certification mark.

Can I charge my phone from a power bank during the flight?
This depends entirely on your airline. US and most European carriers currently allow it. Most Asian and Australian carriers introduced bans on in-flight power bank use in 2025. Check your airline’s policy page before your flight.

What triggered the tightened rules in 2025?
An Air Busan fire in January 2025, caused by a portable battery pack igniting on the ground at Gimhae International Airport, triggered a rapid regulatory chain reaction across Asian aviation authorities. Combined with record battery incident numbers reported by the FAA in 2024–2025, the event accelerated in-flight usage bans and storage restrictions across multiple carriers.

Summary

The global baseline — under 100Wh in carry-on luggage only — applies on all commercial flights worldwide. What changed significantly in 2025 is how power banks must be stored and used during flight: most Asian and Australian carriers now ban in-flight charging and require under-seat or seat-pocket storage. China stands apart with a mandatory 3C certification requirement that catches many international travelers off guard. Before any international trip, verify the Wh rating is legible on your device, check your specific airline’s current restrictions, and — for any itinerary touching China — confirm the CCC mark.