A power bank that was allowed on your previous flight may not be packed or used the same way when departing from South Korea in 2026.
South Korea strengthened its power bank safety rules from April 20, 2026. Travelers departing from Korean airports may carry no more than two power banks per person, must keep them out of checked baggage, must protect each battery from short circuits, and cannot use or charge them during the flight.
Current Korea departure rule: Carry a maximum of two power banks in the cabin, protect each battery separately, keep them where you can monitor them, and do not use or charge them on board.
1. Korea’s Current Power Bank Rules
The rules below are the essential starting point for travelers departing from airports in South Korea.
| Rule |
Current Requirement |
| Maximum quantity |
Up to 2 power banks per traveler |
| Checked baggage |
Prohibited |
| Carry-on baggage |
Allowed when capacity and packing requirements are met |
| Short-circuit protection |
Required for every power bank |
| Overhead bin |
Do not store power banks in the overhead compartment |
| Use during flight |
Prohibited |
| Charging during flight |
Prohibited |
These rules apply to power banks as spare lithium batteries. A power bank is not treated as an ordinary phone charger simply because it has a USB cable or wireless charging function.
For a flight departing outside Korea, the rules of the departure airport and operating airline may differ. If you fly into Korea and later take another flight from Korea, check the rules again before the Korea departure segment.
2. Carry-On and Checked Baggage Rules
Power banks must be carried in the aircraft cabin. They must not be placed inside checked baggage.
This restriction exists because a lithium battery fire is easier for the cabin crew to detect and control in the passenger cabin than in the cargo hold.
Never pack a power bank in checked baggage. Moving it from your suitcase to your carry-on at the airport is not optional, even when the battery is small.
If airline staff ask you to gate-check your carry-on suitcase because the cabin is full, remove all power banks and spare lithium batteries before handing over the bag.
Keep them in a smaller personal item, protective pouch, or another permitted location where you can monitor them during the flight.
3. How Many Power Banks You Can Carry
Travelers departing from Korea can carry a maximum of two power banks per person, provided the batteries meet the capacity and safety requirements.
The limit applies to power banks, including portable battery packs designed to recharge phones, tablets, cameras, laptops, or other devices.
| What You Carry |
Likely Result |
| One power bank under 100Wh |
Normally permitted in the cabin |
| Two power banks under 100Wh |
Normally permitted when packed correctly |
| Three or more power banks |
Exceeds the standard Korea departure limit |
| Power bank with unreadable capacity |
May be refused because its capacity cannot be confirmed |
| Power bank intended for sale |
May not qualify as a reasonable personal travel item |
Do not confuse the power bank limit with the allowance for spare batteries used in cameras or other electronic devices. Airlines may classify and count other spare batteries separately.
When carrying a power bank and multiple removable camera batteries, check the operating airline’s combined battery policy instead of assuming that every battery falls under the same two-item limit.
4. 100Wh, 160Wh and Airline Approval
Airlines use watt-hours, written as Wh, to determine whether a lithium-ion battery can travel on a passenger aircraft.
| Battery Capacity |
Korea Departure Rule |
| 100Wh or less |
Up to 2 power banks, carried in the cabin |
| Over 100Wh to 160Wh |
Airline approval required; combined power bank limit remains up to 2 |
| Over 160Wh |
Not permitted as normal passenger baggage |
| Capacity cannot be verified |
Transportation may be refused |
Most standard 10,000mAh and 20,000mAh phone power banks are below 100Wh, but the printed battery label still matters.
A large laptop power bank can exceed 100Wh even when it looks similar to an ordinary phone battery pack. Check it before going to the airport.
Airline approval means advance confirmation. Do not arrive at security with a 100–160Wh power bank and assume that approval will happen automatically.
5. How to Calculate Wh from mAh
If the label shows mAh and voltage but does not clearly show Wh, use this formula:
Wh = (mAh ÷ 1,000) × V
For example, a power bank rated at 20,000mAh and 3.7V is calculated as follows:
20,000 ÷ 1,000 × 3.7 = 74Wh
| Example Capacity |
Approximate Wh at 3.7V |
What It Means |
| 10,000mAh |
37Wh |
Below 100Wh |
| 20,000mAh |
74Wh |
Below 100Wh |
| 27,000mAh |
99.9Wh |
Close to the 100Wh boundary |
| 30,000mAh |
111Wh |
Airline approval generally required |
These are examples based on a nominal voltage of 3.7V. Your battery may use a different voltage, so use the figures printed by the manufacturer.
Do not calculate using a USB output value such as 5V when the manufacturer already prints the battery’s official Wh rating. Airport and airline staff may rely on the certified label rather than a traveler’s calculation.
6. How to Pack Each Power Bank
Every power bank must be protected against accidental activation and short circuits.
Use one of these methods:
- Place each power bank in its own transparent plastic bag.
- Cover exposed terminals with insulating tape.
- Use an individual battery case or protective pouch accepted by the airline.
- Prevent metal objects such as coins, keys, cables, or adapters from touching the terminals.
Putting two power banks loose together in the same pocket is not the safest approach because their terminals can touch other metal objects.
A transparent individual bag also makes the battery label easier to show during security screening.
Easy packing method: Put each power bank in a separate transparent zip bag, keep the capacity label visible, and place both bags inside your small personal item.
7. Where to Store It During the Flight
Do not place a power bank in the overhead bin on a flight departing Korea.
Keep it where you can monitor it and where cabin crew can reach it quickly if it overheats, swells, smokes, or develops an unusual smell.
Depending on the airline’s instructions, an acceptable location may include:
- A small personal bag kept within reach
- A seat pocket when specifically permitted
- On your person in a protected pouch
- Another location directed by the cabin crew
Do not place the battery loose on the seat, under a blanket, or in a location where it can fall into the seat mechanism.
If a phone, power bank, or other electronic device falls between the seats, do not move the seat forcefully. Ask the cabin crew for assistance because the battery could be crushed or damaged.
8. In-Flight Use and Charging Ban
Power bank use and charging are prohibited during the flight under the strengthened Korea departure rules.
This means you should not:
- Use a power bank to charge your phone, tablet, camera, or laptop
- Recharge the power bank through an aircraft USB port
- Use wireless power bank charging during the flight
- Connect one power bank to another battery
- Continue charging after the cabin crew asks you to disconnect it
Charge your devices before boarding and use the aircraft’s approved USB port or power outlet only in accordance with the operating airline’s instructions.
The fact that an aircraft has a USB outlet does not mean you can use that outlet to recharge your power bank.
Carry-on permission is not permission to use the battery. You may carry an eligible power bank in the cabin but cannot use or charge it during the flight.
9. Damaged Batteries and Common Problems
Airlines can refuse a battery that shows signs of damage or whose capacity cannot be verified.
Do not travel with a power bank that is:
- Swollen or deformed
- Cracked, punctured, or leaking
- Unusually hot
- Producing smoke or a strange smell
- Damaged by water
- Missing a readable capacity label
- Subject to a manufacturer safety recall
If a power bank becomes hot, swells, smokes, or smells unusual during the flight, stop handling it unnecessarily and notify the cabin crew immediately.
Do not pour water on it, hide it in a bag, carry it to the restroom, or attempt to dispose of it yourself unless the cabin crew gives specific instructions.
| Common Mistake |
Correct Action |
| Packing it in a checked suitcase |
Move it to your cabin baggage before check-in |
| Carrying three small power banks |
Reduce the number to no more than two |
| Leaving terminals exposed |
Use tape or an individual transparent bag |
| Putting it in the overhead bin |
Keep it in an accessible, monitored location |
| Charging a phone with it during flight |
Do not use the power bank on board |
| Using a battery without a readable label |
Replace it before travel or confirm acceptance with the airline |
10. Final Airport Packing Checklist
Complete this check before departing for the airport:
- Carry no more than two power banks.
- Confirm that each power bank is 100Wh or less.
- Contact the airline in advance for a battery over 100Wh and up to 160Wh.
- Do not bring a power bank exceeding 160Wh.
- Make sure the capacity label is readable.
- Check for swelling, cracks, heat, leaks, or recall notices.
- Place each power bank in a separate transparent bag or insulate its terminals.
- Keep all power banks out of checked baggage.
- Remove them if your carry-on bag is gate-checked.
- Do not place them in the overhead bin.
- Do not use or charge them during the flight.
- Follow the operating airline and cabin crew’s instructions.
Open Korea Airport Packing Guide →
Check Korea Airport Liquid Rules →
Start Planning Your Korea Trip →
This guide covers general power bank rules for passenger flights departing from South Korea. The operating airline, departure airport, transit airport, and destination country may impose additional restrictions.
Reviewed and updated on August 3, 2026.
