China has some of the most detailed power bank requirements in the world for air travel. In June 2025, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) and the National Certification and Accreditation Administration (CNCA) introduced a new compulsory certification requirement on top of the existing label rules that have been enforced since 2019. This guide explains both requirements and what they mean for travellers passing through Chinese airports.
Requirement 1: CCC Certification Mark (New in 2025)
From June 2025, power banks carried on domestic Chinese flights must display a CCC (China Compulsory Certification) mark — the three circular "C" symbols typically found on the product label or moulded into the casing. This certification indicates that the device meets China's national safety standards for lithium batteries.
- The CCC mark must be legible. A worn, scratched, or obscured mark is treated the same as no mark.
- Power banks without the mark may be confiscated by security at the departure checkpoint.
- The requirement was introduced progressively — major hubs (Beijing Capital, Shanghai Pudong, Guangzhou Baiyun) enforced it from June 2025 onwards. Smaller regional airports are implementing it over a longer rollout period.
CAAC official notice (English)
Does My Power Bank Have the CCC Mark?
Most major international brands — Anker, Xiaomi, Baseus, Mophie, Samsung — carry the CCC mark on products sold or distributed in China. If you bought your power bank from an authorised retailer in China, or from a global brand's official store, it almost certainly has the mark.
The mark is typically found:
- On a label on the back or bottom of the device
- Printed near the mAh/Wh capacity information
- Moulded or embossed into the casing on some models
If you are unsure, look for three interlocking "C" circles. Generic or unbranded power banks — especially those sold at very low prices on marketplaces — are much more likely to lack the mark.
Requirement 2: Readable Capacity Label (Since 2019)
China's pre-existing requirement remains in force alongside the new CCC rule: your power bank must display a clearly readable capacity label showing either the mAh rating or the Wh value. This has been enforced by Chinese airport security since approximately 2019, with increasing consistency at major hubs.
If the label is:
- Scratched off or worn away
- Covered by a sticker or case
- Missing entirely (some budget devices ship without one)
...security staff may refuse to let it through or confiscate it on the spot. This is not a new rule for 2025 but is worth highlighting because it catches many international travellers off guard.
Why China Introduced These Rules
China was already the country with the strictest pre-flight power bank enforcement before 2025. The CCC certification requirement builds on a long-standing concern about the quality and safety of lithium batteries sold in the domestic market, where counterfeit and substandard devices are more prevalent than in most Western markets.
The broader context is a global increase in lithium battery incidents on aircraft. The Air Busan disaster in December 2024 — though caused by a checked baggage battery, not a carry-on power bank — accelerated government action on lithium battery safety across all of Asia. China's CAAC used this momentum to implement the CCC requirement, which had been under discussion since 2023.
International Departures from China
For international flights departing from Chinese airports, the universal IATA rules apply: under 100 Wh, carry-on only, no approval needed. The CCC mark requirement is primarily enforced on domestic routes. However, because all flights depart from the same security checkpoints regardless of destination, security staff at Chinese airports apply the CCC requirement to all passengers, not just domestic travellers.
In practice: if you are flying internationally from Beijing, Shanghai, or Guangzhou, ensure your power bank has a readable CCC mark and capacity label regardless of your final destination.
Practical Checklist for Travelling Through China
- Check your power bank for a legible CCC mark before you travel to China.
- Ensure the capacity label (mAh or Wh) is clearly readable. If it is worn, use a permanent marker to rewrite it — yes, this is accepted by most security staff.
- Keep your power bank in your carry-on, not your checked bag.
- Be prepared to show your power bank to security. Removing it from your bag before reaching the X-ray can speed things up.
- If purchasing a power bank in China to use on departure, buy from a certified retailer to ensure CCC compliance.
Sources: CAAC official notice · Shanghai.gov.cn — 3C requirement explainer · IATA Lithium Battery Guidance