Let’s be honest: no one travels these days without a power bank. Between snapping photos of mouth-watering street food, navigating with maps, and updating your socials, your phone doesn’t stand a chance of lasting all day on its own. That little power pack is basically your holiday lifeline, especially somewhere as vibrant and endlessly fascinating as China.

But here’s a bit of important travel news. Starting 28 June, China’s Civil Aviation Administration (CAAC) is tightening up its rules on power banks on planes. It might sound like a small change, but knowing what to pack (and what not to) could save you a lot of airport hassle. It’s just one of those little planning details that helps your grand China adventure run smoothly.

From 28 June, passengers boarding any domestic flight in China will no longer be allowed to carry power banks on planes that lack proper Chinese safety certification. Specifically, if your power bank doesn’t have the China Compulsory Certification (3C) mark, it won’t make it past security.

This new regulation isn’t random. It’s a direct response to incidents worldwide where lithium battery products, including power banks, have overheated or caught fire on planes. China is simply making sure flying remains as safe as possible for everyone.

It means if you rock up at the airport with a power bank that doesn’t have that 3C certification mark, there’s a very good chance it’ll be confiscated. The same goes for power banks from brands recently recalled, or those with faded, unclear labels.

And it’s not just about the sticker — security staff might ask to check the power bank’s specs or see proof of its safety standard. Being prepared saves a heap of awkward rummaging at the security scanner.

The 3C mark is usually printed or engraved on the power bank, and shows it’s been approved under China’s safety regulations. If you’re picking up a new one before your trip, look for this certification on the packaging or device itself. It’s a small mark that can save a big headache.

Just like in many other countries, China requires power banks to be packed in your carry-on, not checked luggage. This rule means airline crew can handle any overheating problems straight away, keeping your flight safe and your trip on track.

Most airlines, including those operating in China, allow power banks up to 100Wh (about 27,000mAh at 3.7V) without any extra approvals. Anything bigger might need special permission or could be refused outright. It’s always smart to double-check your device’s capacity before you zip up your bag.

If your power bank doesn’t have its voltage or capacity clearly printed, toss the original box or a receipt into your suitcase. Having proof that it’s within legal limits and properly certified can help smooth things over if security wants more details.

A completely dead power bank might raise eyebrows at some security checkpoints that test for safe operation. That said, overcharging or travelling with a power bank that looks swollen or damaged isn’t clever either. Aim for a sensible middle ground and keep it in good condition.

Want to breeze through airport checks? Keep all your chargers, adaptors and cables neatly wrapped up so you’re not untangling wires in the queue. Using a small tech pouch to separate power banks from laptops and your liquids also makes inspections quicker. Always, always give local rules a last-minute check.

With simple prep, you can sidestep any airport stress and keep your travels to China focused on the good stuff — like wandering through historic alleyways, sampling steaming baskets of dumplings, or marvelling at the Great Wall.

Booking everything in one go with Traveloka makes it even easier. Flights, hotels, must-see attractions, even ground transport — all sorted in a single app, so there’s no frantic email searching or juggling multiple bookings. Sometimes the best adventures start with just one click.