Flying in China? Check this before packing your power bank

Visiting China not only means exploring a foreign language and place, but also unfamiliar technology. While the US uses Google Maps, Venmo, and Amazon, China uses Amap, Alipay, and Taobao.

China also has unique requirements when it comes to taking your technology on airplanes – especially regarding power banks. As with US airlines, power banks must be carried in your hand luggage when flying in China, and are subject to power restrictions. You should always check restrictions directly with your airline to avoid headaches at the airport. However, one requirement that is easy to overlook is the need for your power banks to be CCC certified when flying in China.

Here’s what you need to know to make sure your power banks aren’t confiscated by Chinese airport security.

What is CCC certification, and why does your power bank need it?

The China Compulsory Certificate (CCC) is a safety mark similar to the European Conformité Européenne (CE), and it has been around for over twenty years. This certification is mandatory for many items sold and used in China, such as automobiles and household appliances, and applies to both domestically and foreign-made products.

As of August 2024, CCC certification has been required for all power banks sold in China. However, travelers from other countries can still use and fly with their own batteries. This changed in 2025, after many aircraft fires were attributed to power banks around the world. In response, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) announced that batteries without CCC certification will be banned from domestic flights from June 28, 2025.

Because of this, China’s domestic airport security will now confiscate your power bank if it doesn’t have a CCC certificate clearly printed on it. This affects most power banks purchased outside of China, as well as Chinese power banks manufactured after 2024.

The limit only applies to domestic flights in China, so you should still be careful to bring your regular power bank if you take international flights directly in and out of the country. However, you may still want to invest in a CCC certified power bank for peace of mind, in case you run into a tough security agent at the airport. You will definitely need a CCC-certified power bank if you plan to fly between multiple cities in China, including landing at any airport in China.

If you are going to China, you can wait to buy a power bank once you arrive. However if you prefer to plan ahead, there are a few power banks in the US that carry CCC certification. Here are some CCC-certified power banks available in the US that can be delivered via domestic flights to China.

Belkin power banks that can fly in China

Although Belkin has a wide range of power banks, only its newest models are marked as CCC certified – as I found out when I unloaded my beloved Belkin BoostCharge Pro Magnetic Power Bank 5K + Stand in the lounge at Haikou Meilan International Airport. In a statement sent to Mashable, Belkin said its older power banks were CCC certified, but were not marked as such until China made it mandatory in 2024.

“Belkin products meet or exceed industry standards and are rigorously tested for safety and quality control before being sold,” said a Belkin spokesperson. “Since 3C certification became mandatory in August 2024, we have both marked and certified our products accordingly. Power banks launched before August 2024 do not have 3C because they were not mandatory.”

The company also directed Mashable to the website of the State Administration for Market Regulation of China, where you can enter your power bank’s CCC certification number to confirm if they are certified. However, you will need to get the specified number first, and then try to convince the Chinese airport security to bend the rules and accept it. Therefore, you are best off getting a new power bank that has its CCC certificate clearly displayed.

You’ll want to double-check the packaging of your Belkin power bank in person to make sure it’s marked CCC-certified before purchasing, just in case you’re looking at old stock without knowing it. However, you probably won’t have any problems with the Belkin BoostCharge Hybrid Wall Charger 25W + Power Bank 5K + Travel Adapter Kit, which Mashable can confirm has its CCC certification stamped on its side. This power bank also doubles as a travel adapter, with four interchangeable power plugs to suit wherever you go, and weighs around 170g without attachments.

CHARGE power banks can fly in China

If you prefer a more lightweight power bank, SHARGE has several options for when your phone needs extra on the go. SHARGE advised Mashable that the Flow Mini 2, ICEMAG 2, Shargeek 140, and Shargeek 170 power banks are CCC approved and marked as such, giving you a variety of options depending on your needs.

The Flow Mini 2 and ICEMAG 2 both attach directly to your phone, offering 5K and 10K of power each. In contrast, the Shargeek 140 and Shargeek 170 require cables to recharge your devices, but can store 20K and 24K of power respectively.

If you just want to keep your phone charged as you explore the cities of China, SHARGE’s 100g Flow Mini 2 and 200g ICEMAG 2 might work for you. However if you need more power, you may prefer to go around the 470g Shargeek 140 or the 680g Shargeek 170.

Power bank products you can’t bring on Chinese flights

None of INIU’s power banks have been approved by the CCC, with a spokesperson telling Mashable that the Chinese-owned brand does not currently sell any products in the Chinese market. The INIU plans to seek CCC certification so customers can bring their power banks on flights from China, but there is currently no timeline for when this might happen.

Meanwhile, Australian brand Cygnett told Mashable that they have CCC-certified power banks on their way to Australia, similar to products in their current range. However, it is not clear when or if these options will be available in the US

Mashable also reached out to Anker, Ugreen, Nitecore, and Spigen to ask which of their power banks are CCC-certified.