Bringing electronics to China: plugs, power banks and drones
The practical details that are worth knowing before you pack your phone, laptop, camera, power bank or drone for a trip to China, so that nothing surprises you at airport security or at the hotel socket.
Most of us travel with a phone, a laptop, a camera and a power bank, and some of us even with a drone. A few things work differently in China from what you may be used to at home, and it is much easier to know them before you pack than to find out at airport security. This guide goes through them one by one.
What plugs and voltage does China use?
| China | What it means for you | |
|---|---|---|
| Voltage | 220 V, 50 Hz | Most modern chargers for phones, laptops and cameras accept both 110 V and 220 V; check the label on the charger to be sure. A device that only supports 110 V, often a hair dryer or an iron, needs a voltage converter, or stays at home. |
| Type A | Two flat parallel pins, not grounded | The same as in the US and Japan. Fine for small chargers, less suitable for high-power appliances. |
| Type I | Three flat pins in a triangle, grounded | The same as in Australia and New Zealand. Common in newer buildings, and the right one for laptops and bigger appliances. |
| Type C | Two round pins, not grounded | The European plug fits in some sockets, but not everywhere, so do not count on it. |
If your plugs are different, the easy answer is one universal travel adapter, which will also be useful on later trips. USB charging is easy to find too, because airports, cafés, public transport and hotels commonly have USB ports.
What are the rules for power banks on flights in China?
- The 3C mark. Since 28 June 2025, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) does not let passengers take a power bank on a domestic flight if it has no 3C mark, if the mark is unclear, or if it is a recalled model (CAAC notice). The 3C mark (CCC, China Compulsory Certification) is China's mandatory safety mark, similar in purpose to the CE mark in Europe, and a CE mark alone is not enough. Look for the mark on the power bank itself before you pack.
- Capacity. Up to 100 Wh you can carry it on board without approval. From 100 to 160 Wh you need the airline's approval in advance, and you can take two at most. Over 160 Wh it is not allowed on board.
- From mAh to Wh. Most power banks show their capacity in mAh, and the calculation is simple: Wh = mAh ÷ 1,000 × voltage, which is usually 3.7 V. A 20,000 mAh power bank is 74 Wh, so it is fine. A 30,000 mAh power bank is 111 Wh, so it needs approval.
- Hand luggage only. Power banks and spare lithium batteries travel in your hand luggage or on you, and are not allowed in checked bags.
Can I bring a drone to China, and fly it?
Yes, for your own use, with a registration and some limits.
- Bringing one in. Drones are not on the list of prohibited items. What matters is the battery, which follows the rules above: under 160 Wh, and in your hand luggage.
- Buying one in China. Foreign travellers can buy a drone here, and DJI, the world's leading drone maker, is a Chinese company.
- Registering. Any drone over 250 g (about 0.55 lb) must be registered with the CAAC. The process is not complicated, but it needs a Chinese phone number, which means a local SIM card. The phone guide says where to get one.
- Flying. Most consumer drones are limited to a height of 120 m. China defines clear no-fly zones, which include the control areas around airports, military zones and other permanently restricted areas. The manufacturer's app shows where you may fly, so check it at each new place.
Questions we get asked
Do I need a voltage converter?
Only for a device that says 110 V only on its label. Most modern chargers for phones, laptops and cameras accept both 110 V and 220 V.
Will my phone work in China?
Yes. For data we suggest an eSIM made for mainland China, which also keeps Google, WhatsApp and the other apps from home working. The setup, with the payment apps and the map, is in Getting your phone ready for a China road trip.
Can I use my drone on a road trip?
Yes, once it is registered, and outside the no-fly zones. The zones change along a route, so look at the app before each flight and not only on the first day.
Next step
With the bag packed, the preparation is done. The next stage is about the driving itself and the days on the road.
