China 3C power bank flight rule
- Last reviewed
- Ruleset
- 2026-05-15
- Reviewed by
- CertiWatt source integrity workflow
Short answer: For flights departing from or transiting mainland China, current CAAC guidance can require a valid China Compulsory Certification (3C) mark on power banks. A low-capacity power bank may still be refused if the required 3C mark is missing.
China is one of the strongest examples of a country-specific overlay. The global 100 Wh rule is not enough by itself when a local marking requirement applies.
Travelers should inspect the physical device label before arriving at the airport. Screenshots and marketplace listings may not satisfy frontline checks if the device itself lacks the required mark.
CertiWatt treats the 3C requirement as a trip-specific condition, not a universal global rule. It should fire for relevant mainland China departure or transit scenarios without affecting unrelated trips.
Rule summary
- Applies to
- Mainland China departure or transit scenarios.
- Key condition
- Power bank should carry the required 3C marking.
- Capacity still matters
- 100 Wh and 160 Wh thresholds continue to apply.
- Final authority
- Airport, airline, and security staff decide at screening.
Check your device
The final answer can change by model, airline, country, certification mark, label evidence, and recall status.
Check a China flightFAQ
Can a power bank under 100 Wh be rejected in China?
Yes. If a required 3C mark is missing, the device can be refused even when it is under the usual 100 Wh threshold.
Does the China 3C rule apply worldwide?
No. CertiWatt applies it as a China-specific overlay for relevant departure or transit contexts.
Should I rely on a product listing that says 3C certified?
The safest signal is a clear marking on the device label, backed by manufacturer documentation where available.
Sources and evidence
This guide is reviewed against CertiWatt ruleset 2026-05-15. Active rule citations pass the source integrity release gate before deployment; trip-specific verdicts can still cite additional regulator, airline, manufacturer, or recall sources.
Informational only. Final decision rests with airline and security staff. Why we said this.