Power Bank Carry-On Rules: Comparing Capacity Limits Across Korean, Japanese, and Taiwanese Airlines in April 2026
In April 2026, Korea, Japan, and Taiwan each revised their power bank carry-on limits within roughly the same period. What they have in common is a maximum of two units per person, with a rated capacity of 160Wh or less. However, the effective dates, how the 100Wh threshold is handled, and the approval procedures differ by country, so it is worth checking which part of your packing list needs adjusting before you leave.
Why all three countries aligned their rules
After the Air Busan passenger jet fire at Gimhae Airport on January 28, 2025, Korea's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport issued a standard for strengthened power bank safety management in the cabin on February 13, 2025, which took effect on March 1, 2025. Under that rule, up to five units of 100Wh or less were allowed, up to two units between 100Wh and 160Wh required airline approval, anything over 160Wh was banned from the cabin, and all power banks were completely banned from checked baggage.
Korea subsequently proposed this approach to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and once it was approved by the ICAO Council and finalized as an international rule, Korea also lowered the limit for the 100Wh or less category to two units, effective April 20, 2026. Japan applied the same ICAO rule starting April 24, 2026, and Taiwan starting April 8, 2026, so within about a month all three countries' limits converged into a similar shape.
Korea: two units per person, in flight charging banned entirely
Under the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's standard, effective April 20, 2026, up to two units of 100Wh or less are allowed, up to two units between 100Wh and 160Wh are allowed with airline approval (with a combined cap of two units across both categories), and anything over 160Wh is banned outright. Power banks must not be placed in the overhead bin; they must be kept on your person or in the seat pocket in front of you, and the terminals must be covered with insulating tape or individually packed in a zip bag or protective pouch.
Five airlines under the Hanjin Group, Korean Air, Asiana Airlines, Jin Air, Air Busan, and Air Seoul, went a step further and completely banned using a power bank to charge another device, such as a phone or laptop, in flight, effective April 26, 2026. Asiana Airlines requires airline inspection and an approval sticker at check in for units rated between 100Wh and 160Wh.
Sources: Asiana Airlines power bank and e-cigarette carry-on rules notice (effective April 20), Hanjin Group notice on the complete ban on in flight power bank use (Korean Air newsroom)
Japan: unified at 160Wh and two units, effective April 24, 2026
Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), the counterpart to Korea's ministry, set the carry-on power bank limit at a rated capacity of 160Wh or less, two units per person, effective April 24, 2026. Placing power banks in checked baggage is banned, and so is charging a power bank itself in flight or using one to charge another device. They must be kept within reach rather than in the overhead bin, and the terminals must be insulated or cased to prevent short circuits.
ANA updated its official guidance on the same date to reflect this in its baggage rules, and JAL also states the same cap on its domestic and international baggage pages. There is no separate relaxed rule for the 100Wh or less category; the two unit limit applies uniformly across all capacity ranges.
Sources: MLIT press release on the new rules for carrying mobile batteries in the cabin, ANA notice on changes to mobile battery handling
Taiwan: full enforcement from April 8, 2026, with fines specified
Taiwan's Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA), under the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, applied a limit of two power banks per person on all flights departing from April 8, 2026, in line with the new ICAO standard. Units of 100Wh or less are allowed freely, units between 100Wh and 160Wh are allowed with airline approval, units over 160Wh cannot be carried at all, and the combined cap across all categories is two units. Using or charging a power bank in flight is also banned, and violations can result in a fine of up to NT$100,000 under the Civil Aviation Act.
EVA Air and China Airlines applied the two unit cap ahead of the government's effective date, starting March 31, 2026, and advise keeping power banks within immediate reach, such as under the seat, rather than storing them in the overhead bin.
Sources: CAA press release, EVA Air notice on new power bank carry-on rules
Side by side comparison
| Category | Korea | Japan | Taiwan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Current effective date | 2026-04-20 | 2026-04-24 | 2026-04-08 |
| Per person unit limit | 2 (combined across all ranges) | 2 (combined across all ranges) | 2 (combined across all ranges) |
| 100Wh or less | Freely allowed within the 2 unit cap | Freely allowed within the 2 unit cap | Freely allowed within the 2 unit cap |
| Over 100Wh up to 160Wh | Airline approval, approval sticker | Airline approval | Airline approval |
| Over 160Wh | Banned | Banned | Banned |
| Checked baggage | Completely banned | Completely banned | Completely banned |
| In flight charging | Banned (Hanjin carriers ban even using one) | Banned | Banned |
| Penalty for violation | Airline may refuse carriage | Airline may refuse carriage | Fine of up to NT$100,000 |
What to check before you pack
- Convert the mAh rating printed on the power bank or its box into Wh ahead of time to confirm whether it falls at or under 160Wh, and whether it crosses the 100Wh line. The formula is Wh = mAh x V / 1,000.
- Pack it in your carry-on bag rather than your checked suitcase, and wrap the terminals with insulating tape or place the unit in its own zip bag so it does not touch other metal objects.
- Once on board, keep it in the seat pocket in front of you or on your person, not in the overhead bin.
- If you are bringing a unit rated over 100Wh, check the airline's approval procedure at the check in counter first, and for Korea bound routes ask whether an approval sticker needs to be attached at check in.
- Do not charge your phone or laptop from a power bank in flight, and do not charge the power bank itself either.
Sources: Korea Policy Briefing, "Power bank carry-on limited to 2 units per person starting the 20th"
Sources: Japan MLIT, "New rules for carrying mobile batteries in the cabin"
Sources: ANA, "Changes to mobile battery handling (for flights from April 24, 2026)"
Sources: Taiwan Civil Aeronautics Administration breaking news release
Sources: EVA Air, "New rules for carrying power banks in carry-on baggage"
Sources: China Airlines dangerous goods (power bank) notice page