Carrying a power bank has become essential for modern travelers keeping their smartphones and gadgets powered throughout long journeys. However, due to safety concerns regarding lithium-ion batteries, aviation authorities have implemented strict guidelines. If you are flying within Nepal or traveling internationally, understanding these updated rules is crucial to prevent your power bank from being confiscated at security checkpoints.
Basic Carrying Rules and 2026 Updates
First and foremost, power banks must always be packed in your hand luggage (carry-on) and are strictly forbidden in checked baggage. Following updated directives from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) effective March 27, 2026, passengers are now restricted to carrying a maximum of two power banks per person. Additionally, charging your power bank or using it to power devices during a flight is prohibited by regulatory standards.
Capacity Restrictions (Watt-Hours)
A power bank's eligibility for flight travel primarily depends on its energy capacity, measured in watt-hours (Wh):
Up to 100Wh: Power banks in this range—which covers standard 10,000 mAh and 20,000 mAh capacities—are universally allowed in carry-on baggage without requiring advance approval from the airline.
100Wh to 160Wh: Rules for medium-to-large capacity portable chargers remain nuanced. While ICAO provisions allow these with prior airline consent, IATA updated its passenger guidance on March 31, 2026, explicitly listing power banks over 100Wh as forbidden. Individual airlines also enforce different policies: Singapore Airlines and Malaysia Airlines permit power banks between 100Wh and 160Wh subject to prior approval, whereas carriers like Emirates and Thai Airways ban anything exceeding 100Wh.
Over 160Wh: Power banks exceeding 160Wh are strictly banned from both carry-on and checked passenger luggage. Such high-capacity batteries must be transported separately via commercial dangerous-goods cargo services.
Final Advice for Travelers
Before heading to the airport, always verify the watt-hour rating printed on your portable battery and review the explicit baggage policies of your specific airline to ensure a hassle-free journey.
