China airport security on domestic flights checks the identity document you booked with, what you carry in the cabin versus what you check in, and restricted items such as liquids, fire sources, and power banks. For China domestic airport security checks, use the same valid identity document for booking, check-in, and security; separate carry-on from checked baggage before leaving for the airport; and verify current rules for liquids, tools, fire sources, self-heating food, lithium batteries, and power banks. Security staff, the airport, and the operating carrier make the final decision for the actual flight.［1］

Key Takeaways

Keep the original travel document used for the booking accessible, and make sure the ticket name matches it.

Move prohibited cabin items out before reaching the checkpoint, but do not assume every restricted item is permitted in checked baggage.

Spare lithium batteries and power banks belong in carry-on baggage, subject to capacity, condition, quantity, and approval rules.

On domestic flights, a power bank with no clear CCC mark, an unclear CCC mark, or a recalled model must not be carried.［3］

Fire sources, dangerous goods, and many knives or tools require special attention; surrendering an item may be the only available route at security.

Recheck the carrier and airport on travel day because operational restrictions can change.

What should you prepare for China domestic airport security checks?

Start with the identity document. Use the passport or other document accepted for the booking, and enter the name in the order and spelling required by the booking channel. Carry the original unless the carrier explicitly confirms another document is accepted. A booking confirmation or passport photograph is not automatically a substitute.

Check the operating carrier, flight number, departure airport, terminal, check-in deadline, and baggage allowance. A third-party booking page may not contain the latest operational rule; the Trip.com visitor guide explains how to distinguish platform information from carrier confirmation.

Prepare	Carry-on	Checked baggage	Verify separately
Original booking ID	Keep accessible	Do not pack it	Carrier's accepted documents
Spare batteries and power banks	Normally here, terminals protected	Do not check	Capacity, quantity, CCC and recall status
Liquids and aerosols	Generally prohibited on domestic flights, with narrow exceptions	Some may be accepted with controls	Product type, container, exception, and carrier rule
Knives and tools	Many are prohibited or restricted	Some may be accepted	Item dimensions and dangerous-goods status
Lighters and matches	Not permitted	Not permitted	Remove before travel
Self-heating meals	Not permitted	Not permitted	Leave behind or use before travel

How should you sort liquids, tools, food, and fire sources?

The CAAC prohibited-and-restricted-items notice separates items that cannot be carried or checked from items prohibited in the cabin but potentially transportable under checked-baggage controls.［2］ Classification depends on the actual object, not its everyday name.

Liquids, gels, and aerosols: liquids are generally prohibited in carry-on baggage on domestic flights. Limited exceptions include qualifying travel cosmetics, toothpaste, shaving cream, medically necessary liquids, and infant liquid food, subject to their specific container and security-check conditions. CAAC guidance allows one item per type of travel cosmetic in a container of no more than 100 mL, opened for inspection on request, and one tube each of toothpaste and shaving cream up to 100 g (mL).［1］ Check the exact product before travel; do not rely only on the amount remaining inside a large container.
Knives and tools: kitchen knives, scissors, multi-tools, drill bits, blunt tools, and sports equipment can receive different treatment. Give the carrier an exact description and dimensions.
Fire sources: CAAC guidance says lighters, matches, cigarette igniters, magnesium fire starters, and other ignition devices cannot be carried or checked. Remove them before travel.
Self-heating food: CAAC guidance treats self-heating food as prohibited in both carry-on and checked baggage. Leave it behind or consume it before entering the airport; never open, activate, conceal, or repack a heating pack to bypass inspection.［1］
Alcohol and other regulated products: concentration, container, quantity, retail packaging, and carrier policy may all matter.

If an item is important or expensive, obtain the current answer before leaving home. Security may not have time or authority to arrange storage, shipping, or a return to the check-in counter.

What are the current power-bank and battery rules?

Spare lithium batteries and power banks should be protected against short circuit and carried in the cabin, not placed in checked baggage. Keep each unit intact and able to show its rating. Do not carry swollen, damaged, leaking, altered, or recalled equipment.

CAAC passenger guidance sets the capacity thresholds. A spare battery or power bank rated up to 100 Wh may travel in the cabin only; one above 100 Wh and up to 160 Wh needs airline approval, stays in the cabin, and is limited to two per passenger; anything above 160 Wh cannot be carried.［1］

CAAC announced that, from 28 June 2025, passengers on domestic flights may not carry power banks without a clear CCC mark, with an unclear CCC mark, or from recalled models or batches.［3］ This is a high-maintenance rule: check the latest CAAC, airport, carrier, manufacturer, and recall information again shortly before departure.

Power-bank check	Safe action
CCC mark clear and legible	Continue checking rating, condition, recall and carrier limits
No CCC mark or mark unreadable	Do not take it to a domestic-flight checkpoint
Model or batch recalled	Do not carry it; follow the manufacturer's recall route
Rating missing or unclear	Ask the carrier before travel; do not guess from physical size
Swollen, damaged or modified	Stop using it and follow safe disposal or service guidance
Rated above 100 Wh	Get airline approval for 100–160 Wh units before the airport; leave anything above 160 Wh behind

CCC is not the only check. A clear mark does not override capacity, quantity, packaging, dangerous-goods, recall, carrier, or security restrictions.

How do you pass security step by step?

Recheck flight, terminal, accepted ID, check-in deadline, and current baggage notices.
Empty every bag and repack deliberately into carry-on and checked categories.
Remove prohibited fire sources and resolve uncertain tools, liquids, food, batteries, and power banks before leaving.
Protect spare-battery terminals individually and keep ratings and CCC marks visible.
Check in with the same original identity document used for booking and correct any name mismatch before security.
Keep the boarding credential and identity document ready, but do not expose them unnecessarily in public.
At the preparation area, follow current instructions for laptops, tablets, liquids, coats, umbrellas, and power banks.
Declare uncertain or special items instead of concealing them. Follow screening instructions and answer factually.
After screening, collect the identity document, boarding credential, electronics, batteries, and all trays before leaving.
If an item is rejected, ask about the authorized options—checked baggage, airline handling, storage, shipping, collection by another person, or surrender—without delaying the flight.

For connectivity after screening, use the separate airport Wi-Fi guide. If your travel phone depends on a specific SIM or roaming route, prepare it through the China SIM and roaming guide. For the wider question of keeping overseas apps reachable during a mainland trip, and the local rules that apply, see the China VPN guide.

Troubleshooting decision table

Problem	Do not	Safe next action
Ticket name differs from passport	Keep retrying automated gates	Go to the carrier's staffed counter
Power bank lacks clear CCC mark	Cover the label or argue from purchase date	Remove it from the trip and follow official instructions
Battery rating is unclear	Estimate capacity from size	Ask the carrier before travel or leave it behind
Tool or liquid is rejected	Hide it in another bag	Use only an authorized disposal, return, storage, or checked route
Self-heating meal is found	Try to carry, check, activate, or dismantle it	Declare it and follow authorized removal or disposal instructions
Bag receives secondary screening	Leave identity items unattended	Stay present, answer accurately, and recount belongings afterward

Summary

Match booking, check-in, and security to the same valid original document.
Sort baggage at home and classify the actual item, not just its common name.
Keep spare batteries and power banks in carry-on with protected terminals.
For domestic flights, exclude power banks with missing or unclear CCC marks and recalled models.
Follow the current airport, carrier, and security decision at the checkpoint.

FAQ

Can I use a photo of my passport at domestic airport security?

Do not rely on it. Carry the original document used for the booking unless the carrier and responsible authority explicitly confirm an accepted alternative.

Can I put a power bank in checked baggage?

No. Power banks and spare lithium batteries belong in carry-on baggage under applicable capacity, quantity, protection, approval, condition, CCC, and recall rules.

Is a clear CCC mark enough to carry a power bank?

No. It must also satisfy rating, condition, recall, quantity, packaging, carrier, and security requirements. A CCC mark does not guarantee acceptance.

Can I carry a recalled power-bank model if it still works?

No. The domestic-flight restriction includes recalled models or batches. Follow the manufacturer's recall or disposal instructions instead.

Are all liquids banned from carry-on baggage?

No, but rules depend on the liquid, container, quantity, purpose, and current aviation controls. Verify medicines, infant supplies, cosmetics, alcohol, and aerosols separately.

Can a knife or tool travel in checked baggage?

Some cabin-prohibited items may be accepted as checked baggage, while dangerous items remain prohibited. Give the carrier the exact item and dimensions before travel.

What happens if security rejects an item?

Available options vary. Ask whether an authorized return, checked-baggage, storage, shipping, collection, or surrender route exists. Do not conceal or abandon the item informally.

Should I arrive earlier when carrying special items?

Yes, but extra time does not make an item acceptable. Obtain carrier approval where required and resolve uncertainty before reaching the airport.

Disclaimer: This guide provides general passenger information, not a security decision or dangerous-goods approval. Identity acceptance, baggage classification, screening, approvals, recalls, and carriage are determined by current law, CAAC requirements, the airport, security personnel, and the operating carrier.

Sources

Civil Aviation Administration of China, Air Travel Guidance — https://app.caac.gov.cn/INDEX/HLFW/HKLXCS/202303/t20230316_217597.html
Civil Aviation Administration of China, Prohibited and Restricted Items Notice — https://www.caac.gov.cn/PHONE/XXGK_17/XXGK/TZTG/201612/t20161213_41103.html
Civil Aviation Administration of China, Power-Bank Restrictions for Domestic Flights — https://www.caac.gov.cn/English/News/202507/t20250709_227894.html

Sources checked 4 October 2026.

China Domestic Airport Security Checks: How to Prepare