The People’s Republic has decided there will be no uncertified power banks on Chinese flights, from June 28, 2025 onward. This reinforces a trend against lithium-ion batteries on passenger aircraft, that the Air Busan power bank incident may have accelerated. In this instance certified means certified by China, and this creates a challenge for overseas visitors.
More Information About the Chinese Power Bank Ban
The Reuters announcement that we link to below, states that the ban applies to anyone boarding a flight in China. This decision by the national aviation regulator, therefore over-rules policy decisions by individual aircraft operators.
The embargo also includes power banks recently recalled by Chinese battery makers for safety reasons. These products may include previously certified batteries (marked CCC) by leading Chinese power bank makers Romosa and Anker. This complicates the meaning of ‘no uncertified power banks on Chinese flights’.
The Chinese authorities may also further revoke or suspend their certification in some cases. This puts overseas travelers in a quandary. Should they take their power bank with them when flying to China, use it on their travels, and hand it in for recycling when they leave?
Why Is China Only Challenging Power Banks Now?
That statement is not entirely true. China banned the use of power banks on flights back in 2014, which put them ahead of the game. The People’s Republic is taking the lead once more, on the back of its tighter battery rules announced in April 2025.
Opposition to passenger power banks by flight regulators and operators is growing. Could this be a long-tail outcome, of the short run-time of smartphone batteries? Smartphones with good battery life are an essential companion for travelers. But then so too is their safety on passenger aircraft.
More Information
Did a Power Bank Destroy an Airliner?
China Tightening Battery Safety Rules Further
