Alex Omenye
China’s aviation authority will begin enforcing a new regulation on Saturday banning airline passengers from carrying power banks that lack Chinese safety certification or have been recently recalled due to safety risks.
The directive from the Civil Aviation Administration of China follows a spate of global aviation incidents linked to overheating lithium battery products, including power banks. The rule applies to all passengers boarding flights within China.
According to the CAAC, power banks must now display a “3C” (China Compulsory Certification) safety mark—a government-issued seal required for products that may pose health, safety, or environmental hazards. The crackdown comes as the country ramps up efforts to prevent in-flight fire hazards tied to electronic devices.
Concerns about lithium batteries have grown as passengers increasingly travel with multiple battery-powered items. When damaged or poorly manufactured, lithium batteries can short circuit, producing extreme heat, smoke, or even fires.
Recent international incidents have drawn attention to the issue. In January, a fire on an Air Busan aircraft in South Korea was potentially linked to a spare power bank. In March, a Hong Kong Airlines flight originating in China made an emergency landing after a fire erupted in an overhead luggage compartment.
Data from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration revealed that in 2023, an average of three lithium battery-related incidents occurred every two weeks on commercial flights, up from under one per week in 2018.
In response to increasing risks, several major Chinese manufacturers, including Anker and Romoss, have recalled power banks this month. China’s market regulator has since suspended or revoked the 3C certifications of several manufacturers.
While aviation rules already require power banks to be carried in cabin luggage and prohibit in-flight charging in China since 2014, global airlines are tightening controls. U.S.-based Southwest Airlines recently mandated that portable chargers must remain visible when in use during flights.
