If you’re flying out of Singapore anytime soon, there’s a new rule you need to know about — and it kicked in just yesterday. From 15 April 2026, passengers departing from Singapore are limited to carrying a maximum of two power banks per person on board flights. If you have more than two, you’ll be asked to dispose of the extras before boarding.
The restriction was announced by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) following an addendum to the Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air, issued by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) on 2 April 2026. It’s part of a coordinated global effort involving all 193 ICAO member states to tighten safety standards around lithium batteries on aircraft.
What Exactly Are the New Rules?
Here’s a breakdown of what you need to know before you pack for your next trip:
Maximum of 2 power banks per passenger. This applies to all flights departing from Singapore, regardless of the airline. If you’re caught with more than two at the security checkpoint, the excess devices will have to be surrendered.
Each power bank must not exceed 100 watt-hours (Wh). Power banks between 100Wh and 160Wh require prior airline approval. Anything above 160Wh is completely prohibited on passenger flights.
No charging during the flight. This is a big one — you are not allowed to charge your power banks using the in-seat power outlets or USB ports during the flight. You also cannot use your power bank to charge personal devices mid-flight.
Power banks must stay in your cabin baggage. They are strictly prohibited in checked-in luggage. This has been a long-standing rule, but CAAS is reinforcing it alongside the new limits.
Individual protection required. Each power bank must be individually protected to prevent short circuits — this means keeping them in their original packaging or using tape to cover the terminals.
Why the Sudden Crackdown?
Lithium batteries — the type found in virtually every power bank — pose a genuine fire and safety hazard on board aircraft. When these batteries overheat, short-circuit, or suffer physical damage, they can enter a state called thermal runaway, which can lead to intense fires that are extremely difficult to extinguish at altitude.
According to the CAAS, the updated regulations address growing concerns about the increasing number of lithium battery incidents reported globally. The move aligns Singapore with international best practices and ensures passengers and crew remain safe.
Singapore joins a growing list of countries and territories that have adopted stricter power bank rules in recent months, including South Korea, Germany, Qatar, the UAE, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, and Thailand.
15 Power Banks Confiscated on Day One
On 15 April — the very first day the new rule took effect — 15 power banks were taken from outbound travellers at Changi Airport. This suggests that many Singaporeans and visitors were either unaware of the new regulation or had been travelling with multiple power banks out of habit.
Given how common it is for Singaporeans to carry multiple power banks (one for the phone, one for the tablet, one as a backup — you know the drill), this number is likely to climb in the initial weeks as awareness catches up.
How Different Airlines Are Handling It
While the ICAO’s two-power-bank limit is the new global baseline, some airlines have gone even further with their own restrictions:
Emirates: Restricts passengers to just one power bank under 100Wh, with no in-flight use permitted since October 2025.
Southwest Airlines: Has announced a one-portable-charger limit, effective 20 April 2026. Each device must be under 100Wh and in-flight charging is banned.
Singapore Airlines: Follows the CAAS directive of a maximum of two power banks per passenger, each under 100Wh, with no in-flight charging or use permitted.
It’s always a good idea to check your specific airline’s policy before flying, as restrictions may vary.
How to Check Your Power Bank’s Watt-Hour Rating
Not sure whether your power bank falls within the allowed limit? Here’s how to check:
Look at the label on your power bank. It should show the capacity in either milliamp-hours (mAh) and voltage (V), or directly in watt-hours (Wh).
If it shows Wh directly, you’re sorted — just make sure it’s under 100Wh.
If it only shows mAh and V, use this formula: Wh = (mAh x V) / 1,000.
For example, a 20,000mAh power bank with a nominal voltage of 3.7V would be: 20,000 x 3.7 / 1,000 = 74Wh — well within the 100Wh limit.
A 30,000mAh power bank at 3.7V would be 111Wh — over the limit, and would require airline approval.
Tips for Travellers
Here are some practical tips to help you stay on the right side of the new rules:
Carry only what you need. Two power banks should be more than enough for most journeys. If you’re heading on a multi-day trip with limited charging access, invest in a higher-capacity (but still under 100Wh) power bank rather than packing three or four smaller ones.
Charge your devices fully before your flight. Since you cannot use power banks to charge devices mid-flight, make sure your phone, tablet, and laptop are fully charged before you board.
Keep your power banks easily accessible. Security screening at Changi Airport may require you to present your power banks separately, so keep them in an easy-to-reach pocket of your carry-on bag.
Dispose of old or damaged power banks responsibly. If you have power banks that are swelling, damaged, or no longer holding a charge, don’t bring them on a flight — dispose of them at designated e-waste collection points.
The Bottom Line
Singapore’s new power bank rules are part of a wider global push to make flying safer. While it might feel inconvenient to leave your third power bank at home, the safety rationale is sound — and with 15 already confiscated on day one, the authorities are clearly enforcing this strictly.
So before your next flight out of Changi, do a quick check: two power banks max, each under 100Wh, and absolutely no charging on the plane. If you’ve been eyeing an upgrade to a more efficient power bank, perhaps now’s the time — check out the latest deals from brands like Anker’s Shopee Super Brand Day, which recently featured discounts of up to 70% off chargers and power banks.
Safe travels, Singapore!
