Power Bank Cabin Rules Revised April 20, 2026: How Many You Can Bring by Capacity, and Why Checked Luggage Is Banned
Starting April 20, 2026, on all international flights worldwide, including those departing from Korea, passengers will be allowed to carry up to two power banks of 160Wh (about 43,000mAh) or less in their carry-on baggage, while placing power banks in checked baggage will be completely banned regardless of capacity. After South Korea's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport proposed enhanced safety measures to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the ICAO Council approved them as an international standard, the quantity limits, which previously varied by country, will for the first time be applied uniformly at airports around the world.
Previously, travelers could carry up to five power banks of 100Wh or less. From April 20 onward, regardless of capacity tier, travelers may bring a combined total of up to two units of 160Wh or less. Travelers who used to split spare batteries across multiple units should double check the count before departure.
How the Rules Changed Between March 2025 and April 2026
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's standard, which took effect on March 1, 2025, allowed up to five power banks of 100Wh or less, up to two power banks of 100 to 160Wh with airline approval, and banned power banks exceeding 160Wh outright.
On April 8, 2026, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced that it had proposed this plan to ICAO and received Council approval, and the revised international standard took effect on the 20th of the same month. Now, without dividing capacity into tiers, passengers may carry up to two power banks of 160Wh or less per person, and even units of 100Wh or less cannot exceed a total of two.
| Period | Power banks of 160Wh or less | Power banks exceeding 160Wh |
|---|---|---|
| March 1, 2025 to April 19, 2026 | Up to five for 100Wh or less; up to two for 100 to 160Wh with airline approval | Not allowed |
| From April 20, 2026 | Up to two per person, regardless of capacity tier | Not allowed |
Why Checked Baggage Is Banned Entirely, Regardless of Capacity
On January 28, 2025, a fire broke out on Air Busan flight BX391, bound for Hong Kong, as it prepared for takeoff at Gimhae International Airport. According to a National Forensic Service analysis (reported March 14, 2025), it is highly likely that the fire originated from a power bank located near the overhead bin above seat 30A, where an internal short circuit, that is, an insulation breakdown causing contact between the positive and negative terminals inside the battery, triggered the initial ignition. The analysis concluded that ignition caused by aircraft wiring, lighting, or other onboard facilities was unlikely.
This accident is the basis for the ban on checked (cargo hold) baggage because crew members cannot monitor abnormal signs in the cargo hold in real time, and once the thermal runaway characteristic of lithium batteries begins, the cargo hold's fire suppression equipment is effectively unable to put it out. Requiring power banks to be carried into the cabin, kept in the seat-back pocket or on one's person, is meant to let passengers and crew immediately notice any abnormal signs and respond early.
In-Cabin Storage and Usage Rules: No Overhead Bins, No Charging
According to a Korean Air notice, power banks may not be stored in the overhead bin and must instead be placed in the seat-back pocket or carried directly on one's person.
- To prevent short circuits, passengers should place power banks in a clear zip-lock bag or protective pouch, or cover the terminals with insulating tape, so the terminals do not contact metal or other batteries.
- Both charging the power bank itself and using the power bank to charge another device, such as a phone, are prohibited on board.
- High-capacity camping power banks exceeding 160Wh cannot be brought at all, as they are banned from both checked baggage and carry-on.
Checking Airline-Specific Effective Dates via Official Notices
The ICAO international rule took effect on April 20, 2026. However, since the posting dates and effective dates of individual airline notices may differ, it is safer to check the notice from the airline you are flying with directly.
- Jeju Air stated in its notice effective April 20 that it is applying the same 160Wh, two-unit limit.
- Air Premia stated in its partial revision notice effective April 20 that only the quantity limit changed, with the rest of the rules remaining the same as before.
- AeroK posted a revision notice effective April 20.
- Asiana Airlines stated in a notice posted April 17 that it would apply the same rules starting April 20.
- Peach Aviation, which operates routes between Korea and Japan, announced that its rules would take effect from April 24, four days later than the Korean airlines.
How to Check Your Power Bank's Wh Rating
According to Incheon International Airport's lithium battery transport guide, Wh is calculated by multiplying rated capacity (Ah) by voltage (V), and most smartphone power banks list 3.7V as the standard voltage.
The formula is mAh divided by 1000, multiplied by 3.7V, equals Wh. If the product body or packaging does not display a Wh rating, you will need to check the mAh and rated voltage (V) together and calculate it yourself.
| Labeled capacity (mAh, converted at 3.7V) | Converted Wh | Whether it can be carried on |
|---|---|---|
| 10,000mAh | About 37Wh | Up to two combined with other power banks |
| 20,000mAh | About 74Wh | Up to two combined with other power banks |
| 30,000mAh | About 111Wh | Up to two combined with other power banks |
| 43,243mAh (160Wh) | 160Wh | The maximum allowed |
| Over 43,243mAh | Over 160Wh | Not allowed |
Pre-Departure Checklist
Here is the April 20 rule, as explained by the Korea Policy Briefing, organized in the order you would pack your bag.
- Pack power banks in your carry-on bag or backpack, not in your checked suitcase. Placing them in the cargo hold is completely banned regardless of capacity.
- Narrow down the power banks you bring to two units of 160Wh or less. Leave any third or fourth spare battery at home.
- Wrap each battery's terminals in insulating tape or place them in individual zip-lock bags to prevent short circuits.
- After boarding, keep them in the seat-back pocket or a clothing pocket rather than the overhead bin.
- On board, both charging the power bank itself and using it to charge a phone are prohibited.
Sources: Korea Policy Briefing: How Many Power Banks and What Capacity Can You Bring on a Plane?
Sources: Korea Policy Briefing: Power Banks on Passenger Aircraft Limited to Two Per Person Starting the 20th
Sources: Kyunghyang Shinmun: Air Busan Fire Presumed Caused by Power Bank Short Circuit
Sources: Korean Air notice: Power Bank Carry-On Rules (Effective April 20, 2026)
Sources: Jeju Air notice: Power Bank Carry-On Rule Change Notice (Effective April 20, 2026)
Sources: Air Premia notice: Power Bank Carry-On Rules (Partial Revision Effective April 20, 2026)
Sources: AeroK notice: Power Bank Carry-On Rule Change (Effective April 20, 2026)
Sources: Peach Aviation notice: Additional Rules for Power Banks on Board Effective April 24, 2026
Sources: Incheon International Airport: Lithium Battery Transport FAQ