China Bans Unsafe Power Banks on Planes Amid Lithium Battery Fire Concerns
Starting Saturday, June 29, 2025, China’s Civil Aviation Administration (CAAC) will ban all uncertified and recalled power banks on board flights departing from or arriving in China. This is part of a growing effort to reduce the fire risks associated with lithium-ion battery-powered devices.
Why the Ban on Power Banks?
The new regulations come after a series of global incidents involving lithium battery overheating and fire hazards in aircraft cabins. In early 2024 and 2025:
- A spare power bank was cited as the possible cause of a fire on an Air Busan flight in South Korea.
- A Hong Kong Airlines flight from mainland China was forced into an emergency landing after a fire broke out in an overhead bin.
These incidents, among others, have raised alarms over the increasing number of battery-related in-flight fires.
What Is the New Rule?
Key Points:
- All power banks must have “3C” certification — short for China Compulsory Certification, a national safety standard for electronics.
- Recalled power banks—even those with previous certification—are banned from being carried on flights.
- Applies to passengers on all domestic and international flights operating in China.
- Power banks without visible certification marks will be confiscated at airport security.
What Is 3C Certification?
The 3C (China Compulsory Certification) mark is a mandatory safety standard required for electronic products in China that may impact health, safety, or environmental protection. If a power bank lacks this certification, it is considered unsafe for transport in aviation.
Recently, China’s market regulators suspended or revoked the 3C certifications of several power bank brands due to safety issues.
Leading Brands Affected
Major Chinese power bank makers like:
- Anker
- Romoss
…have already issued recalls for specific battery product batches due to overheating risks.
A Global Trend in Lithium Battery Aviation Rules
China’s new ban is part of a wider global push to tighten safety measures for lithium battery devices on aircraft. According to the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA):
- In 2023, there were 3 recorded overheating incidents every two weeks involving lithium batteries on flights.
- That’s nearly triple the number reported in 2018.
Airlines Respond:
- Charging devices via power banks has been banned on Chinese flights since 2014.
- Southwest Airlines (U.S.) became the first U.S. airline in May 2025 to require portable chargers to be visible during use onboard.
- Airlines increasingly ask that power banks be carried only in cabin baggage and kept within view at all times.
What Passengers Need to Know
✔ Allowed:
- Certified (3C-marked) power banks
- Carried in hand luggage only
- Power banks that have not been recalled
✖ Not Allowed:
- Power banks without 3C certification
- Any recalled or unverified power bank brands
- Using or charging devices with power banks during the flight
Final Thoughts
As battery-powered devices become more common, aviation authorities are rightfully prioritising safety. China’s ban on uncertified power banks reflects a broader effort to prevent dangerous in-flight fires caused by faulty lithium batteries.
Before travelling to or from China, passengers should check for 3C certification on their portable chargers and avoid bringing recalled or uncertified power banks onboard.
