What are the rules for bringing an external charger on board when traveling? Will it be confiscated? Kwiksure explains the latest safety regulations for power banks from the Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department, including capacity, quantity, and flight restrictions. It also covers the requirements and in-flight prohibitions for local airlines such as Cathay Pacific and for flights to popular tourist destinations.
According to the Guidelines and the latest safety regulations from the Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department, every air passenger must strictly adhere to the quantity and capacity limits, as well as the onboard usage guidelines, when carrying external chargers (also known as power banks, portable chargers, or portable chargers).
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Latest regulations for bringing portable power banks on airplanes in 2026 |
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Capacity Limitation |
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Quantity Limit |
Each passenger is allowed to bring a maximum of two power banks on board. |
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Carrying method |
It must be carried on your person as hand luggage and is strictly prohibited from being checked in or placed on the luggage rack. |
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Labeling requirements |
The Wh or mAh and V values must be clearly marked on the casing. |
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Use on board |
External chargers must not be used during flight. |
Many power banks only indicate their capacity in milliampere-hours (mAh). To find out the equivalent in Wh, you can use the following formula:
Example 1
A portable power bank labeled 20,000 mAh and with a voltage of 3.7 V has a Wh value of 3.7 × 20,000 ÷ 1,000, which is 74 Wh, and is permitted to be carried on board in accordance with the Civil Aviation Department's regulations.
Example 2
A portable power bank labeled 50,000 mAh and with a voltage of 3.7 V has a Wh value of 3.7 × 50,000 ÷ 1,000, which is 185 Wh. According to regulations, it is strictly prohibited to bring it on board.
Commercially available power banks typically range from 5,000 mAh to 20,000 mAh. Calculated at 3.7 V, they all comply with safety regulations and can be carried directly on devices. However, the Wh value or the mAh and V values must be clearly marked on the casing.
If your power bank has a capacity between 100 Wh and 160 Wh, you must apply for and obtain approval from your airline before departure. At a voltage of 3.7 V, 100 Wh to 160 Wh is approximately 27,000 to 43,200 mAh.
Each passenger may carry a maximum of two portable power banks of 100 Wh or less, and these must be carried on board and are not allowed to be checked in.
All portable power banks must be placed in carry-on baggage or on your person; they are strictly prohibited from being checked in or placed in the overhead bins. They must be placed under the seat in front of you. Using a urinal to charge your device during the flight is strictly prohibited.
According to the Civil Aviation Administration of China, since June 28, 2025, passengers are required to carry power banks with clear 3C/CCC markings in order to board domestic flights or transit through mainland China.
The State Administration for Market Regulation announced that starting March 1, 2026, 11 types of newly manufactured high-risk products, including power banks, must not only have the 3C mark but also have a traceable QR code printed next to them; otherwise, they will not be allowed to be manufactured, sold, or imported. The authorities have established a one-year transition period for this purpose.
As the authorities have set a one-year transition period for tracing QR codes, passengers can continue to use power banks with only 3C markings and no QR codes to travel on flights to mainland China until March 1, 2027.
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Current regulations regarding carrying power banks when transiting through mainland China or on domestic flights |
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New power bank (with CCC/3C certification and QR code) |
Can be taken on board |
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Older model power bank (with CCC/3C certification, but no QR code) |
It can be carried on board during the transition period. |
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Power banks without CCC/3C certification marks |
It is strictly forbidden to bring such items on board, and they will be prohibited from being boarded and will be confiscated. |
Power banks that do not specify capacity (mAh / Wh) or voltage, or whose labels are illegible due to wear or detachment.
Power banks with a capacity exceeding 160 Wh (approximately >43,200 mAh) are strictly prohibited; those between 100 Wh and 160 Wh but not approved by the airline will also be confiscated.
If a power bank is placed in checked baggage and detected by the X-ray machine, it will be stopped and confiscated by security, and the baggage may even be opened for processing.
Carrying a power bank that lacks 3C certification in mainland China or has unclear labeling violates the requirements of the Civil Aviation Administration of China and will be confiscated.
If the casing shows obvious bulging, deformation, or damage, it may be a dangerous power supply that belongs to a batch that has been "recalled" in the official announcement.
Portable power banks that exceed the airline's carrying limit will be confiscated; the latest regulation stipulates a maximum of two per person.
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airline |
External charger usage guidelines |
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Special regulations for portable power banks on airplanes |
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Japan |
South Korea |
Taiwan |
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Quantity limit |
2 per person |
A maximum of 5 units are allowed for those with a capacity of less than 100 Wh. 100 to 160 Wh, up to 2 units |
2 per person |
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Capacity limit |
Below 160 Wh; those between 100 and 160 Wh require prior approval. |
Below 160 Wh; those between 100 and 160 Wh require prior approval. |
Below 160 Wh; those between 100 and 160 Wh require prior approval. |
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Labeling requirements |
The capacity of the power bank must be clearly labeled. |
Portable power banks must clearly indicate their Wh value. |
Unclear or worn markings prohibit use on the machine |
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Special packaging |
The power output port should be sealed with insulating tape, or stored separately in a protective sleeve/sealed bag. |
It must be individually packaged in a transparent, resealable bag, and the USB port and power switch must be sealed with insulating tape. |
It is recommended to seal the USB port with insulating tape and to package each power bank individually in a transparent resealable bag. |
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Use on board |
prohibit |
prohibit |
prohibit |
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In-flight charging |
prohibit |
prohibit |
prohibit |
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Check-in |
prohibit |
prohibit |
prohibit |
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Placed in the upper luggage locker |
prohibit |
prohibit |
prohibit |
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Storage location |
Keep it with you or under your seat |
Keep it with you or place it under your seat. |
Keep it with you or place it under your seat. |
Immediately call the flight attendants, clearly state that the portable power bank is on fire, and point out the location of the fire so that the professionally trained crew can handle the emergency.
Follow the instructions of the flight crew, leave the area around the smoking or burning seat, and wait patiently in the designated location.
Do not attempt to touch the power source with your hands or try to extinguish it with water, and do not take it to the toilet yourself, as this may cause the fire to spread.
To ensure a worry-free trip, comprehensive travel insurance is essential. Travelers can purchase insurance plans that cover accidental damage to personal belongings, depending on their needs. This includes coverage for losses should an incident occur on board the plane where a power bank catches fire and damages personal items.
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Comparison of travel insurance coverage (HKD) |
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Medical expenses |
Personal accident |
Baggage and personal belongings protection |
cell phone |
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1,500,000 |
1,500,000 |
25,000; 3,000 per item |
2,500 (Maximum compensation amount: 1) |
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2,000,000 |
1,000,000 |
20,000; 5,000 per item |
3,000 (Maximum compensation amount: 1) |
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1,500,000 |
3,000,000 |
50,000; 3,000 per item |
3,000 |
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2,000,000 |
Accidents occurring while using public transportation: 1,200,000 Other unexpected events: 600,000 |
25,000; 3,000 per item |
5,000 |
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For those aged 18 to 70 who pay adult premiums: 1,000,000 70 years and older: 500,000 Under 18 years old: 250,000 |
1,000,000 |
15,000; 2,000 per item |
2,000 (Limited to one of the following: laptop, tablet, or mobile phone) |
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*The above information is for reference only as of September 16, 2026. All information is subject to the announcements of the relevant insurance companies.
Kwiksure provides different levels of Travel insurance plans. To meet your needs, we offer a comprehensive range of protections, including medical care, accident coverage, and personal property loss coverage, and you can receive immediate assistance. Get a quote and apply for insurance instantly via WhatsApp.
Based on a voltage of 3.7 V, a 20,000 mAh power bank contains approximately 74 Wh, which complies with safety regulations and can be carried directly onto the aircraft. However, the maximum limit of two portable power banks per person still applies.
Based on a voltage of 3.7 V, a 30,000 mAh power bank is approximately 111 Wh. According to safety regulations, power banks with capacities between 100 Wh and 160 Wh require prior approval from the airline to be carried on board.
Regular mobile phone power adapters and chargers do not have external lithium batteries and can be taken on airplanes or checked in as baggage.
For any flight involving transit within mainland China, domestic flights, or high-speed rail travel, power banks must have 3C/CCC certification; otherwise, they will be confiscated or required to be discarded by security personnel. International flights, however, do not have a mandatory 3C certification requirement.
No, MagSafe rechargeable power banks are also considered external chargers and are subject to restrictions.
Kwiksure has over 20 years of experience in the travel insurance industry, comparing quotes from over 60 insurers in Hong Kong. Start purchasing your travel insurance plan now!
The above information is for reference only. Kwiksure takes no responsibility for the accuracy and timeliness of the information. For the coverage, mode of compensation, benefit limit and premium levels of any specific insurance plan, please refer to the relevant policy terms.
Cassidy is a content creator at Kwiksure. She mainly writes about cars and travel. She has previously worked in advertising creation and online media editing. She loves writing and is keen on discovering the latest topics. She is committed to bringing fresh, interesting and practical information to readers.
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