By now, we’ve probably all heard about the new travel requirement that power banks carried onboard domestic aircraft must carry a CCC (or “3C”) rating and corresponding label. 

Alright, so … now what? What does that actually mean for you? Does a 3C rating automatically guarantee you can take a power bank on a flight? Where can you find power banks that adhere to the regulations? 

In this post, we take a look at these questions and more to help you make sense of the new regulation and hopefully make your travel a bit less stressful. 

First Things First: What Is the New Rule?

Simply put, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) announced that from Jul 28, 2025, airplane passengers on domestic flights are prohibited from carrying power banks that lack the “3C” label, have an unclear or false 3C label, or have been recalled. 

You can find the official announcement here in Chinese on the CAAC website. Currently, the regulation applies only to power banks.

What does the 3C label look like?

The 3C label, which is the letter C printed three times surrounded by an oval, shows that a product has been given a China Compulsory Certification (CCC) because it meets China’s strict regulations. Beginning Aug 1, 2024, all power banks sold in China were required to carry this mark. The sale of power banks without the 3C label after Aug 1, 2024, violates the relevant national production laws and regulations.

The label should be clear and legitimate. Power banks with unclear or questionable labels will be rejected and may be confiscated.

Great. So, as long as a power bank has a clear 3C label and was not recalled, it’s fine?

Not necessarily. There are also charging capacity limits.

Power banks rated at 100Wh or less are fine to bring aboard the plane. Power banks rated between 100Wh and 160Wh require approval from the airline to be carried on the plane. Power banks rated at more than 160Wh are not allowed.

Also, note that the CAAC prohibits more than two power banks per person on an aircraft. Power banks may not be placed in checked luggage.

How can I check which 3C power banks have been recalled?

You can see recall announcements on the website for the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) Defective Product Recall Technical Center (DPRC). Search “移动电源” (mobile power supply) in the search field at the top right of the page. You will also find other information such as product numbers, manufacture dates and recall quantities here.

Are only domestic flights affected?

For now, yes. However, while we are still in the initial period of seeing how the dust settles on this new rule, we recommend that you go forward as if the new rule applies to all flights.

Why? For one, it’s just a good habit to get into if (and probably when) the requirements are upgraded or extended. Second, some airports may not separate the security areas for their domestic and international flights, meaning that the new rule will almost certainly apply across the board in these locations. Third, international trips very often begin or end with a domestic flight. Again, it’s best to get into the habit and be prepared. 

What about power banks that meet other, international standards and carry official labels from other official international inspection agencies?

Nope. Unfortunately, at this time, the only power banks that meet the new requirements are those with the Chinese 3C label. A bummer, we know.

What do I do if I only have a non-3C power bank? What options for airport inspection, disposal or storage are there?

Each airport may have different options and services. In Beijing, passengers may voluntarily give up their power bank or send it to their home by courier. There are also free storage facilities for passengers to store their power banks. 

At Beijing Capital International Airport, there are security personnel and signs posted to remind passengers of the new regulation and provide additional information. There is currently also a power bank inspection table before the domestic departures security area, where passengers can have security personnel inspect their power banks. There is also mailing assistance. Capital Airport currently provides a free storage service in Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 for up to seven days.

At Beijing Daxing International Airport, Terminal B levels 1 and 3 have security service areas which provide storage and mailing services, with guarded storage facilities outside the terminal. Currently, all power banks sold in the airport comply with the 3C regulation.

What about other forms of transportation? 

As of the publication of this post, there does not seem to be any indication that security regulations for buses, trains, or subways have been updated with regard to power banks. However, this may change at any time, and we recommend keeping an eye out for more news. 

When traveling on high-speed rail, each passenger is allowed no more than two power banks. Additionally, each city may have its own rules for certain types of transportation. In Beijing, for example, each passenger is allowed up to two power banks on the subway. Specific capacity limits for different transportation methods vary and can be checked directly with the relevant transportation agencies.