Power Bank Air Travel: International Guidance Updates

Last week, we shared some tips and answered some FAQs about traveling with China’s new power bank regulation. However, China is not alone. In what is clearly a growing international trend, airlines and regulatory bodies around the world have been reevaluating and updating their safety regulations and guidance on traveling with power banks. 

This week, we’ll share some of the updated power bank-related air travel guidelines from different airlines and regulatory agencies around the world. 

Recent International Power Bank Air Travel Updates

Below is a list of some of the most recent modified power bank-related air travel guidelines from international airlines or regulatory entities. Please note that this is obviously not an exhaustive list of every country, every airline, every agency or every policy. For the most complete, accurate and up-to-date information for a specific airline or agency, please visit their website or contact them directly. 

South Korea

The destruction of an Air Busan plane in January of this year from a fire suspected to have been caused by a malfunctioning power bank prompted the government of South Korea to mandate that passengers keep their portable power banks “within arm’s reach” at all times during their flight. Storage in overhead bins is not permitted.

Chinese Mainland and Taiwan

• CAAC China-Wide Guidance: The CAAC recently announced that from Jul 28, 2025, airplane passengers on domestic flights are prohibited from carrying power banks that lack the “3C” label, have an unclear or false 3C label, or have been recalled. 
• EVA Air and China Airlines: Passengers are prohibited from using or charging their power banks during the flight, however power banks may be stored in overhead bins.

Hong Kong

The Civil Aviation Department (CAD) has mandated that local airlines prohibit passengers from recharging power banks or using power banks to charge personal items in-flight. Power banks are also not to be stored in overhead bins during the flight.

Japan

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transportation and Tourism has, in cooperation with the Scheduled Airlines Association of Japan (SAAJ), issued a new directive that prohibits the storage of power banks in overhead bins. Power banks may be used and charged during a flight, however this must occur in a visible, easily-accessible location that can be continuously monitored. Power banks are already prohibited from being stored in checked luggage.

The new rules apply to all 19 member airlines of the SAAJ:

• Japan Airlines (JAL)
• All Nippon Airways (ANA)
• Peach Aviation
• Jetstar Japan
• Zipair Tokyo
• Nippon Cargo Airlines (NCA)
• Japan Transocean Air (JTA)
• Japan Air Commuter (JAC)
• Air Do
• Air Japan
• Solaseed Air
• Starflyer
• ANA Wings
• J-Air
• Skymark Airlines
• Fuji Dream Airlines (FDA)
• Spring Airlines Japan
• IBEX Airlines
• Hokkaido Air System

The new rules apply to both domestic flights within Japan as well as international flights to and from the country. 

Singapore Airlines

The charging of power banks via the airplane’s USB ports or the use of power banks to charge personal devices is not permitted at any point during the flight. 

Thai Airways

The use of power banks on the aircraft is prohibited.

Malaysia

• Malaysia Airlines: Passengers must carry their power banks with them at all times. Power banks are not to be placed in the overhead compartments, but may be stored in a passenger’s carry-on item placed under the seat in front of them or in the seat-back pockets in front of them.
  
  Power banks may not be used or charged during the flight.
  
  Power banks may not be carried in checked bags. 
  
  The airline also specifies: “Magnetic wireless charging power banks must be kept in a separate bag or protective pouch to prevent unintentional activation.”
   
• AirAsia: Power banks may not be used or charged during the flight. Passengers are prohibited from storing power banks in overhead compartments and instead must carry their power banks in-hand, place them in the seat-back pocket in front of them, or keep them under the seat in front of them. 
  
  Power banks may not be carried in checked luggage.

Ryanair

Power banks (and other lithium batteries) must be removed from bags stored in overhead compartments.

Southwest Airlines

Devices stored in overhead bins may not be charged using power banks or portable batteries. The airline stipulates that use of power banks during a flight must occur “out of your bag and in plain sight.”

IATA Regulations

The International Air Transport Association says the following:

Spare batteries must be individually protected to prevent short circuits by placement in the original retail packaging or by otherwise insulating terminals, e.g. by taping over exposed terminals or placing each battery in a separate plastic bag or protective pouch and carried in carry-on baggage only.

Articles containing lithium cells or batteries, the primary purpose of which is to provide power to another device, e.g. power banks, are considered as spare batteries and are restricted to carry-on baggage only.

Batteries must be of a type that meets the requirements of the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, Part III, subsection 38.3.

More complete information from the IATA on this topic can be found on their website or in the following documents:

• IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) (This document is updated yearly. The most recent version, for 2025, is the 66th edition.)
• IATA Guidance Document for Passengers Travelling with Lithium Batteries – 2025 (“Passengers Travelling with Lithium Batteries Guidance Document”)
• IATA Guidance Document for Lithium Batteries and Sodium-ion Batteries – 2025 (“Battery Guidance Document”)

Many international airlines follow common guidelines with respect to power banks:

• Power banks rated at 100Wh or less are fine to bring aboard the plane. Power banks rated between 100Wh and 160Wh require approval from the airline to be carried on the plane. Power banks rated at more than 160Wh are not allowed.
• Power banks should not be carried in checked luggage.
• The number of power banks allowed for individual passengers may be limited.

However, these are only guidelines, and different airlines and regulatory bodies will have their own specific and more detailed rules that must be followed. In order to get the most complete, accurate and up-to-date information, check the websites of these airlines or agencies, or consult the airlines or agencies directly.

READ: New Power Bank Regulation: Travel Tips and FAQs

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