What Gets Confiscated in China: Power Banks, Sprays, Knives

Last checked October 19, 2026 against official sources. How we check

Notice on power bank rules for domestic flights at Jieyang Chaoshan Airport, Guangdong

Quick answer

On domestic flights, power banks without a clear 3C mark are banned, and 100 Wh or less is allowed in hand luggage only. Trains refuse blades over 60 mm and aerosol cans over 150 ml. The Guangzhou Metro allows 5 power banks of 20,000 mAh or less. Check knives in for flights; leave them and big sprays home for trains.

Key facts

Flights	Power banks need a clear 3C mark; 100 Wh or less, hand luggage only
Trains	No blades over 60 mm; aerosols 150 ml per can, 600 ml in total
Guangzhou Metro	Up to 5 power banks of 20,000 mAh or less; no 3C mark check
Liquids on trains	Non-aerosol perfume or gel over 100 ml is refused
Check	Look for the 3C or CCC logo and a printed Wh figure on the power bank

What do the rules say for flights, trains and metro?

The rules differ by mode. The table gives the limit for each.

Item	Flights	Trains	Guangzhou Metro
Power bank, mark	Clear 3C mark required on domestic flights	Must be clearly marked	No 3C mark check stated
Power bank, size	100 Wh or less; 100 to 160 Wh with airline approval, max 2; above 160 Wh banned	100 Wh or less per unit	20,000 mAh or less, max 5
Where to carry it	Hand luggage only	On you	On you
Knives and blades	Not in hand luggage	Blade over 60 mm not allowed on you (may be checked); controlled knives banned outright	Staff may re-check bags
Aerosols	Check the airline’s dangerous goods list	150 ml per can, 600 ml in total
Perfume or gel, non-aerosol		Over 100 ml refused

Sources: CAAC notices, the 2022 rail catalogue of prohibited and restricted items, and the Guangzhou government’s metro notices. The metro column is the Guangzhou Metro’s rule only; we have not checked other cities’ metros. Check your airline for international legs, because the 3C ban covers domestic flights. If you fly into China and change to a domestic flight, the ban applies on the second flight.

How do I read a power bank label?

Find the Wh figure first. If the label shows only mAh, multiply the capacity in Ah by 3.7 V. A 10,000 mAh bank is 10 Ah, so about 37 Wh. A 20,000 mAh bank is about 74 Wh, which is under the 100 Wh limit. Then look for the 3C or CCC logo printed on the case.

Airports display the rule on banners. The cover photo shows one at Jieyang Chaoshan Airport in Guangdong, with the 3C logo.

A traveller on r/guangzhou asked in August 2026 whether the rule really applies, because “there’s a lot of mixed info online”. A reply said it was “a lottery”. Do not rely on luck: the regulator’s notice is clear.

What do travellers report being taken?

These are traveller reports, not official lists:

Power banks. One wrote that a BaseUS bank without a CCC mark “got confiscated” after a flight from Los Angeles (r/guangzhou, November 17, 2025).
Sprays. A traveller said three were taken on the train from Shenzhen to Guangzhou (r/chinalife, November 28, 2025).
Diffusers. Another said a reed diffuser bought from Miniso was thrown away at the airport, “even in checked in luggage” (r/travelchina, December 28, 2025).
Knives. The worst case is a traveller who said police held them for 8 hours over cooking knives in checked luggage on a Guangzhou to Shanghai train (r/chinalife, April 24, 2025).

What should I do before I travel?

Count your power banks and check each for a 3C mark and a Wh figure.
Move every power bank to your hand luggage before you fly.
Leave knives, multi-tools and scissors with long blades at home or in checked bags on flights, and at home for trains.
Decant liquids and gels into containers of 100 ml or less for train travel, and avoid aerosols.
Read the customs allowances guide for what you can bring into China, and the train ticket guide for station security steps.

Airports must offer self-disposal and storage areas for refused items, according to CAAC’s notice, so ask at security rather than arguing. Terminal details are in the Baiyun Airport terminals guide, and the full day-one routine is in the first 24 hours checklist.

Traps and how to avoid them

Flying with a power bank that has no 3C mark
Since June 28, 2025 China's aviation regulator bans power banks without a 3C mark, with an unclear mark, or recalled models, on domestic flights. Travellers report these being taken at security, including popular brands. Buy a marked one or leave it behind.
Putting a power bank in checked luggage
Power banks must go in hand luggage. In checked bags they are not allowed. Take the battery out of your suitcase before check-in.
Packing kitchen knives for a train
A traveller on r/chinalife reported being held for 8 hours over cooking knives in checked luggage for a Guangzhou to Shanghai train, in April 2025. Rail rules ban knives with a blade over 60 mm on board. Leave knives at home.
Carrying big sprays, diffusers and gels
Aerosol cans over 150 ml and non-aerosol perfume or gel over 100 ml are refused on trains. Travellers report having sprays and a reed diffuser thrown away.
Guessing the mAh
If the label shows only mAh, divide by 1,000 and multiply by 3.7 V to get Wh. A 20,000 mAh bank is about 74 Wh.

FAQ

Do power banks need a 3C mark in China?

For domestic flights, yes. Since June 28, 2025 the regulator bans power banks with no 3C mark, an unclear mark, or a recalled model. Separate CAAC rules set capacity limits: 100 Wh free, 100 to 160 Wh with airline approval (maximum two), and nothing above 160 Wh.

What is the 3C mark?

It is the China Compulsory Certification logo, also written CCC. Look for it printed on the power bank itself, not only on the box. A traveller on r/guangzhou wrote that a brand-name bank without the mark was confiscated.

Can I take a power bank on the Guangzhou Metro?

Yes, within limits. Guangzhou Metro told Guangzhou Daily it allows up to 5 power banks of 20,000 mAh or less per person (report on the Guangzhou government portal, July 2025). Staff may ask you to open your bag for a re-check.

What happens to items that are confiscated?

CAAC requires airports to provide self-disposal and storage areas for refused items. Whether you can post an item home depends on the airport, so ask at the checkpoint.

Can I bring a small folding knife on the train?

The rail catalogue bans knives with a blade over 60 mm and similar sharp items. Anything near the limit is a risk. Travellers report long delays when security finds blades, so avoid carrying one.

Sources

Update history

October 19, 2026: First version, from CAAC notices, the national rail catalogue and Guangzhou government pages.

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