British travellers are being warned of a strict new airport security rule in China that is leading to the mass confiscation of power banks. The essential three-letter code, CCC, has become the difference between keeping your device and seeing it taken away.
The Airport Confiscation Shock
Traveller Paul Goldsack witnessed the dramatic scene firsthand upon arriving at two of China's major travel hubs, Shanghai Pudong and Beijing Capital airports. He reported seeing trays filled to the brim with confiscated power banks that security staff had deemed non-compliant.
"At security, all power banks were being inspected, and it was the CCC marks they were looking for," Paul told the Mirror. He noted that his own device was given a thumbs-up by a security officer in Shanghai after they spotted the correct certification. This inspection is now a standard procedure for all flights within China, including the return journey to London.
Paul emphasised the zero-tolerance policy, stating, "If the power pack doesn’t have one, they CONFISCATE it, no arguments." He credited a Chinese friend for the prior warning that saved his own expensive power banks from being seized.
Understanding China's Compulsory Certification
The rule hinges on the China Compulsory Certification (CCC) mark, a safety standard that became mandatory for all power banks on domestic flights from June 2025. This means the vast majority of power banks sold internationally, including in the UK, lack the required certification and will be confiscated upon departure from a Chinese airport.
Additional regulations stipulate that power banks must not exceed 160 watt-hours (Wh) and must be carried in hand luggage with their wattage and capacity clearly visible. Devices under 100 Wh are generally permitted, while those between 101-160 Wh require airline approval. Power banks are never allowed in checked baggage on flights to or within China.
For UK travellers, the scarcity of compliant devices is a major issue. "Currently, buying a power bank in the UK with a CCC label is hard. Amazon has a couple," Paul noted, suggesting it is easier to purchase one after arriving in China.
Broader Crackdown on Lithium Battery Devices
The move by Chinese authorities is part of a wider global trend of airlines tightening restrictions on devices containing lithium batteries due to fire risks. Several carriers, including Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air, and Emirates, have banned power banks from flights altogether. Cathay Pacific instituted a similar ban effective from April 7, 2025.
The crackdown has now extended to other popular electronics. Some airlines, such as EVA Air, UNI Air, and Tigerair, no longer permit Bluetooth earbuds like Apple AirPods in checked luggage because their charging cases also contain lithium batteries.
This position is echoed by the New Zealand Aviation Authority, which strictly prohibits wireless earbuds in checked baggage. Passengers are advised to carry them in their hand luggage, where the charging case counts towards the limit of 20 spare batteries or power banks per person.
The key takeaway for globetrotters is clear: always check the specific battery regulations of your destination and airline. For travel to China, ensuring your power bank has that crucial CCC mark is no longer a suggestion—it is an absolute necessity to avoid losing your device at security.
