What is the power bank rule for flights in China?

Since June 28, 2025, power banks without a clear 3C (CCC) mark, with blurred markings, or from recalled batches are banned on all domestic Chinese flights. Capacity limits still apply: under 100Wh free, 100-160Wh with airline approval (max two), over 160Wh prohibited. Trains only check the 100Wh limit, not the 3C mark.

Can tourists bring drones to China?

Since May 1, 2026, bringing drones into Beijing is prohibited entirely, including transit connections. Nationwide, every drone requires real-name registration on the CAAC portal, which needs a Chinese phone number and WeChat, making independent registration nearly impossible for short-term visitors. If Beijing is on your route, leave the drone at home.

Can I bring Adderall or ADHD medication to China?

Amphetamine-based ADHD medications such as Adderall are controlled psychotropic substances in China and are not approved there. Carrying them without advance authorization risks serious legal consequences, including treatment as drug smuggling. Check with the Chinese embassy about your specific medication before travel.

Are selfie sticks allowed at Chinese attractions?

Mostly yes, with length limits. The Forbidden City allows selfie sticks under 1.3 meters but bans tripods and stabilizers. Some museums and venues ban them entirely, so watch for signage at security checks.

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China Luggage Rules: What Security Seizes at Airport & Rail Gates

The 3C Power Bank Rule • Beijing's Drone Ban • Controlled Medications

Chinese security checkpoints tightened dramatically in 2025–2026, and several rules that older guidebooks describe are now out of date. A thread titled "Beware of the power bank you carry through the Chinese airports" turned out to be prophetic. Here is the current checklist, verified against the latest regulations.

👉 Looking for flight-compliant gear before departure? Read our dedicated guide: 7 Must-Pack Travel Items for China: Battle-Tested Gear (Adapters, 100Wh Power Banks & Hygiene) →

1. Power Banks: The 3C & Capacity Rules

Chinese checkpoints strictly enforce lithium battery rules. Check your charger against these three tests before packing:

Carry-on ONLY: Never put power banks in checked luggage under the plane. Scanners will flag your bag and pull it from the flight.
Under 100Wh (≈20,000mAh): Units under 100Wh pass freely. Crucially, the printed capacity text must be fully legible — if the numbers are rubbed off, security will confiscate it immediately.
The 3C (CCC) Mark on Domestic Flights: Since June 2025, domestic Chinese flights ban power banks without an authentic China 3C mark or from officially recalled batches (over 1.2M Anker and Romoss units recalled). Standard foreign chargers pass on direct international flights, but will be stopped if your ticket includes a domestic connection.

🚆 High-speed rail exception: Trains only enforce the 100Wh limit and clear printing — train security does NOT inspect for the 3C mark.

🔋 Airport-Safe Recommendation: Need a compliant power bank with clear factory-stamped 74Wh labeling (<100Wh limit) that passes Chinese airport security without hassle? Check the Anker 20,000mAh CAAC Flight-Approved Battery on Amazon ↗.

2. Drones: Beijing Is Now Fully Off-Limits

The single biggest change foreign pilots must know: since May 1, 2026, bringing a drone into Beijing is prohibited entirely — by plane, train, bus, or car, and the police explicitly count connecting flights through Beijing. Confiscation plus a 500–5,000 RMB fine applies; unauthorized flights can reach 10,000 RMB and, since 2026, detention of 5–10 days for serious cases.

Nationwide, the barriers for visitors are severe:

Every drone must be real-name registered (the old 250-gram threshold is gone) on the CAAC portal uom.caac.gov.cn — a Chinese-language site that requires a +86 phone number and WeChat face verification. Short-term tourists effectively cannot complete this alone.
Since 2026, drones are legally classified as aircraft: 120 m altitude cap, visual line-of-sight only, and new units are electronically locked until registered.
Border and politically sensitive regions (Xinjiang, Tibet) treat foreign drone operators with extreme scrutiny.

The practical advice from every current trip report: if Beijing appears anywhere in your itinerary — even as a transit stop — leave the drone at home. Aerial photographers should plan routes through other entry cities and verify local rules for each province.

3. Aerosols, Knives & Selfie Sticks

Aerosol cans: Pressurized sprays (sunscreen mist, dry shampoo, thermal water) are capped at roughly 150ml for train travel and are routinely binned at airport security. Switch to cream and pump-bottle formats.
Knives & multi-tools: Locking blades or edges over 6cm are confiscated at train station scanners. Keep Swiss Army knives in checked flight luggage — or leave them home.
Selfie sticks: Allowed almost everywhere with a length cap — the Forbidden City permits sticks under 1.3 meters. Tripods and gimbals are the items actually banned inside most museums and palace halls. If you carry both, expect to check the tripod at the gate while keeping the stick.

4. Medications: The Controlled-Substance Trap

Standard over-the-counter painkillers (ibuprofen, paracetamol) and stomach remedies are fine. The danger zone is drugs that are routine at home but controlled substances in China:

ADHD stimulants (Adderall, Ritalin, Concerta): amphetamine-class psychotropics are not approved in China. Carrying them without prior authorization risks them being treated as narcotics — the most serious legal exposure a tourist can create for themselves.
Codeine (cough syrups, combination painkillers) and strong sleep aids (zolpidem/Ambien class) are also on the controlled list.
Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed and many cold remedies) is restricted.

What to do: keep all prescription medication in original labeled pharmacy packaging with a doctor's letter stating the medical need; carry only a personal-use quantity; and verify your specific drug against the controlled list with a Chinese embassy before you fly — the safe answer for stimulants is usually to travel without them and switch to a non-controlled alternative for the trip duration.