China Now Requires a Readable Label on Your Power Bank

If you're flying through a Chinese airport, pay attention to your power bank's label. China's Civil Aviation Administration (CAAC) has tightened enforcement of labeling rules, and if they can't read the capacity on your power bank, they may take it away.

What's the Rule?

The CAAC requires that all power banks carried on flights must have:

Why Does the Label Matter?

Airport security needs to verify that your power bank is under 100Wh (or 160Wh with approval). If they can't read the label, they can't verify it -- so they err on the side of caution and confiscate it.

This has always technically been the rule, but enforcement has gotten much stricter since 2025.

What If My Label Is Worn Off?

This is a common problem, especially with older power banks. Here's what to do:

Which Airports Are Strictest?

In our experience, these Chinese airports are particularly thorough about checking power bank labels:

Smaller regional airports tend to be less strict, but don't count on it.

The CAAC Capacity Rules

China follows IATA standards but with some added strictness:

3C Certification -- Do I Need It?

The 3C mark is mainly required for power banks sold in China. If you bought your power bank outside China (from Amazon, Best Buy, etc.), it probably doesn't have a 3C mark -- and that's usually fine. The label requirement is the one they actually enforce at security.

However, if you bought a cheap or unbranded power bank, the lack of any certification marks may raise questions.

Bottom Line

Before flying to or through China:

Use our free checker to verify your power bank against Chinese airline rules.