Check How Many Power Banks You Can Carry on a Plane and Whether You Can Charge Them Onboard

What changed?

The core of the change is the carry-on quantity and the ban on onboard charging and use. Here is a comparison based on the ministry's announcement as reported by the Korea Policy Briefing.

The announcement date is April 8, 2026, and the effective date is April 20. The ministry said it would apply the rule after training the staff involved and updating notices.

Did the capacity limit change too?

The reports also mention a figure of 160Wh (43,000mAh) or less. In the sources I checked, though, it was not clear whether that figure applies to each battery or to the combined total, so it is hard to state a capacity limit from this number alone. Read the Wh or mAh rating printed on your power bank before the trip, and if you are unsure, it is safer to ask your airline.

How should you use power banks onboard?

Plugging a power bank into an outlet or seat USB port to charge it, and connecting a phone to a power bank to charge the phone, are both described as banned. If you are worried about your phone battery on a long flight, charge your devices fully before boarding. Check the airline's guidance to see whether your seat has a power outlet. The reports mention that the rule against leaving power banks in the overhead bin was already in force before this change.

Is it the same for overseas trips and transfers?

This change reflects the International Civil Aviation Organization standard, so foreign airlines and routes may apply rules heading in a similar direction. Details and timing can differ by country and airline, though, and the airport security screening rules for connecting flights are a separate matter. The only thing this announcement confirms is the change to the Korean standard. For foreign airlines, follow that airline's guidance.

What should you check when packing?

• Count your power banks and make sure there are no more than 2
• Check that the capacity rating (Wh, mAh) on the product is legible
• Do not carry a damaged or swollen battery on board
• Finish charging before boarding and do not charge onboard
• Read your airline's dangerous goods guidance once more before departure

Why did it change?

The ministry explained that the aim is to reduce the confusion caused by rules that differed by country and airline, now that a new international standard has been set. It said it is also revising the Korean technical standard for transporting aviation dangerous goods to match. That means detailed procedures at Korean airports may change with later revisions.

Where can you ask?

You can read the ministry's announcement on the Korea Policy Briefing site and in the ministry's press release. Whether you can actually board depends on your airline and the airport security screening guidance. Rules can be revised, so after the checked date of 2026-10-08, check the latest guidance from the ministry and your airline again.