Overview

• China’s Civil Aviation Administration has issued an emergency ban on all power banks lacking Chinese 3C safety certification or subject to manufacturer recalls for flights departing Chinese airports.
• The State Administration for Market Regulation has revoked or suspended 3C certifications for several power bank and battery cell makers, including Anker and Romoss.
• Authorities cited recent global overheating episodes, such as the January fire on an Air Busan flight and the March diversion of a Hong Kong Airlines plane, as catalysts for the new restrictions.
• The swift enforcement has left travelers puzzled at Chinese airports as many scramble to confirm whether their portable chargers comply at check-in and security checkpoints.
• The move expands on previous airline rules, including Southwest’s May requirement that portable chargers remain visible during use, as FAA data show lithium battery incidents rising to three every two weeks in 2024.