Can Power Banks Be Mailed? Complete Rules for Shipping Lithium Batteries to Taiwan
Power banks cannot be sent by post—Chunghwa Post classifies lithium batteries as prohibited dangerous goods; however, they can be shipped to Taiwan via special-cargo air freight or sea freight consolidation: power banks not installed in equipment (UN3480), regardless of Wh, are prohibited from being carried as cargo on passenger aircraft and may only be transported on all-cargo aircraft (with a state of charge of SoC ≤ 30%) or by sea. The commonly cited 100Wh/160Wh tiers are Civil Aviation Administration rules for passengers’ carry-on baggage; from April 8, 2026 (ROC year 115), each passenger may carry no more than 2 power banks, regardless of capacity, and may not use or charge them on board (those rated 100–160Wh additionally require airline approval; those over 160Wh are prohibited; power banks must never be placed in checked baggage). BSMI inspection exemption for personal use (information technology equipment): the total value of goods of the same specification and model on the same declaration must be ≤ US$1,000, or, if it exceeds that amount, the quantity must be ≤ 5 pieces. The general tariff rate for tariff code 8507.60.00.10-7 is 2.5% (0% may apply if ECFA requirements are met and an application is submitted).
Last updated: 2026-08-21 ｜ Sources: Chunghwa Post “Prohibited Dangerous Goods” (Article 37 of the Regulations Governing the Handling of Mail and the Universal Postal Convention), IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR), Civil Aviation Administration, Ministry of Transportation and Communications (passenger carry-on baggage rules), Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection (BSMI) and Regulations Governing Inspection Exemption of Commodities, Ministry of Environment dry-cell battery recycling, clearance, and disposal fee rates, and Customs Administration, MOF (Customs Import Tariff)
Can Power Banks Be Mailed? Does the Post Office Accept Them?
No. Chunghwa Post classifies lithium batteries as prohibited dangerous goods and does not accept them in either international or domestic mail. To ship them back to Taiwan, use special-cargo air freight or sea-freight consolidation services that accept Class 9 dangerous goods.
Chunghwa Post classifies lithium batteries as prohibited dangerous goods pursuant to Article 37 of the Regulations Governing the Handling of Mail and the Universal Postal Convention. Neither power banks nor loose lithium batteries may be sent as ordinary mail. The Cross-Strait EMS Traveler Parcel service also expressly prohibits “mobile phones, lithium batteries, power banks, tablet computers, laptop computers, and related products with built-in lithium batteries.” The page further states that illegally transporting dangerous goods by air may result in a fine of NT$20,000 to NT$100,000.
| Shipping Method | Can Power Banks Be Shipped? | Basis／Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Chunghwa Post International／Domestic Mail | Not accepted | Lithium batteries are included in the “Other Dangerous Goods” prohibited-items list pursuant to Article 37 of the Regulations Governing the Handling of Mail and the Universal Postal Convention |
| Cross-Strait EMS (Express) Traveler Parcel | Expressly prohibited | The prohibited-items list specifically includes mobile phones, lithium batteries, power banks, tablets, laptops, and products with built-in lithium batteries |
| Special-Cargo Air-Freight Consolidation | Accepted with conditions | UN3480 must always be carried on cargo aircraft only (prohibited on passenger aircraft regardless of Wh), with a state of charge SoC ≤ 30%; a UN38.3 test report, proper packaging, and a dangerous-goods declaration are required |
| Sea-Freight Consolidation (Special Cargo) | Accepted with conditions | Subject to the IMDG Code; suitable for high-capacity batteries, large shipments, and loose batteries, but with longer transit times |
| Domestic Courier Services in Taiwan | Rules vary by carrier | You must proactively disclose that the contents include lithium batteries; capacity, packaging, and declaration requirements vary by carrier, so confirm before shipping |
The difference is whether dangerous-goods declaration procedures are followed. Postal systems are not designed to identify and declare individual Class 9 dangerous-goods shipments, so the entire category is prohibited. Special-cargo air freight and sea freight have complete procedures covering UN38.3 test reports, dangerous-goods packaging, cargo-space declarations, and carrier approval, allowing lithium batteries to be legally loaded onto aircraft or vessels. Falsely declaring a power bank as ordinary goods and concealing it in a mailed parcel may result not only in the parcel being intercepted but also in the fines described above.
If batteries are imported on a commercial scale rather than for personal use, responsible manufacturers and importers of dry-cell batteries must pay a recycling, clearance, and disposal fee based on the import volume declared to customs, pursuant to Paragraph 5 of Article 16 of the Waste Disposal Act. Under the rates announced by the Ministry of Environment, the base rate for secondary lithium batteries is approximately NT$39 per kilogram, while the rate is approximately NT$24 for button-cell lithium batteries and NT$16.05 for primary lithium batteries. Following the amendment on Year 114/4/15 of the ROC calendar, responsible businesses that establish their own recycling loop may qualify for a reduced rate of NT$5.10 per kilogram for domestic circular recycling—approximately 87% less than NT$39—or NT$6.66 for overseas circular recycling. Businesses whose fees fall below the announced thresholds (NT$100 or less, or NT$1,200 or less annually) are exempt from registration and oversight.
To compare consolidation methods for different battery-containing products, such as Bluetooth earphones, self-balancing scooters, and battery-powered toys, see the Complete Guide to Consolidating Lithium Battery Products.
Can My Power Bank Be Shipped by Air? How to Determine
It depends on whether you are “carrying it as a passenger” or “shipping it through a consolidation service”: carry-on rules depend on Wh (≤100Wh is permitted, 100~160Wh requires airline approval and is limited to 2 units, and >160Wh is prohibited); consolidated shipments must use cargo aircraft or special-cargo sea freight regardless of Wh.
✅ Common Retail Capacities (≤ 100Wh, Approximately 27,000mAh or Less)
Eligible for Consolidation
Use special-cargo consolidated air freight (all-cargo aircraft, SoC ≤ 30%) or sea freight, with UN38.3 documentation and a dangerous goods declaration prepared; outbound passengers may also carry power banks onto an aircraft (they cannot be checked in), but from April 8, 2026 (ROC year 115), each passenger is limited to 2 power banks and may not use or charge them on board. The vast majority of commercially available power banks fall into this category.
⚠️ High Capacity (> 100Wh)／Loose Batteries
Carry-On Restricted > 160Wh Prohibited as Carry-On
Passenger carry-on baggage: power banks rated 100–160Wh require airline approval; those over 160Wh are prohibited. A separate rule also applies: regardless of capacity, each passenger is limited to 2 power banks from April 8, 2026 (ROC year 115)—this is distinct from the 100–160Wh restrictions and must not be conflated with them. Consolidated shipping: regardless of Wh, power banks must be shipped as special cargo on all-cargo aircraft or by sea; high-capacity units and standalone batteries (not installed in equipment) are generally shipped by sea.
How Do You Calculate a Power Bank's Wh?
Enter the capacity and voltage to calculate the watt-hours (Wh) and applicable carry-on／consolidated-shipping rules instantly. Formula: Wh = mAh × V ÷ 1000.
※ Calculations based on nominal voltage are for reference only. The Wh marked on the product and the air／sea carrier's rules shall govern. Lithium battery transport must comply with UN38.3 and other applicable requirements.
Wh Limits and Capacity Reference Table
Calculated at 3.7V: 10,000mAh is approximately 37Wh, 20,000mAh is approximately 74Wh, and 26,800mAh is approximately 99Wh. Capacities of approximately 27,000mAh and above exceed 100Wh, while capacities of approximately 43,000mAh and above exceed 160Wh.
| Power Bank Capacity (3.7V) | Approximate Wh | Passenger Carry-On｜Consolidated Shipping |
|---|---|---|
| 10,000mAh | Approximately 37Wh | Permitted as carry-on｜Consolidated shipments must use special-cargo cargo aircraft or sea freight |
| 20,000mAh | Approximately 74Wh | Permitted as carry-on｜Consolidated shipments must use special-cargo cargo aircraft or sea freight |
| 26,800mAh | Approximately 99Wh | Permitted as carry-on (near the 100Wh limit)｜Same consolidated-shipping rules as above |
| Approximately 27,000mAh or Above | > 100Wh | Carry-on requires airline approval and is limited to 2 units｜Consolidated-shipping rules remain unchanged (cargo aircraft／sea freight) |
| Approximately 43,000mAh or Above | > 160Wh | Prohibited as carry-on｜Only special-cargo cargo aircraft or sea freight may be used |
The 100Wh/160Wh tiers come from the Civil Aviation Administration’s rules for passengers’ carry-on baggage; they apply to passengers traveling by air, not to freight or postal shipments (power banks must never be placed in checked baggage). The Civil Aviation Administration also stipulates that, from April 8, 2026 (ROC year 115), each passenger may carry no more than 2 power banks, regardless of capacity, and may not use or charge them on board. For freight: power banks or standalone batteries not installed in equipment (UN3480), regardless of Wh, are prohibited from being carried as cargo on passenger aircraft and may only be transported on all-cargo aircraft (SoC ≤ 30%) or by sea; for lithium batteries installed in equipment (UN3481), the general IATA transport thresholds are battery cells ≤ 20Wh and battery packs ≤ 100Wh. Wh = capacity (mAh) × voltage (V) ÷ 1000; the nominal voltage of most power banks is 3.7V.
Should Lithium Batteries Be Shipped by Air or Sea?
Special-cargo air freight is faster for power banks and consumer electronics containing batteries (cargo aircraft only, SoC ≤ 30%); sea freight is recommended for high-capacity batteries, large shipments, and loose batteries (IMDG Code, with relatively less restrictive limits). Neither may be mixed into ordinary parcels.
Lithium batteries are classified as Class 9 dangerous goods and categorized by battery configuration: loose batteries (UN3480), batteries contained in equipment (UN3481), and batteries packed with equipment (UN3481). Consolidated shipments must use specialized channels:
| Method | Requirements | Suitable For |
|---|---|---|
| Special-Cargo Air Freight | IATA DGR: UN3480 is restricted to cargo aircraft only (prohibited on passenger aircraft regardless of Wh), SoC ≤ 30%, UN38.3 test report, proper packaging, and declaration | Power banks and consumer electronics containing batteries (UN3481); faster transit |
| Sea Freight | IMDG Code; relatively less restrictive and permits larger shipments | High-capacity batteries, large shipments, and special-cargo loose batteries |
Products containing lithium batteries, such as power banks, Bluetooth earphones, self-balancing scooters, and battery-powered toys, must be shipped as “special／sensitive cargo” and cannot be mixed into ordinary parcels. HowBridge uses dedicated special-cargo channels for battery-containing products. Before placing an order, notify us that the product contains a battery so the correct shipping method can be arranged.
Do Imported Power Banks Require BSMI Certification?
Inspection is required for sale, while imports for personal use are generally eligible for exemption. The common exemption threshold is a total value of US$1,000 or less for goods of the same specification and model on the same declaration. Whether an exemption remains available above that value and which inspection-exemption customs clearance code should be declared depend on the product’s actual category. Confirm with a customs broker or BSMI before customs declaration.
Since 2014, power banks have been classified as commodities subject to mandatory inspection by the Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection under the Commodity Inspection Act. Businesses must pass BSMI inspection and obtain commodity certification registration before selling them. Personal-use imports may qualify for inspection exemption under the following conditions:
Under Article 5 of the Regulations Governing Exemption from Inspection of Commodities, personal-use goods not intended for sale may be exempt from inspection if the total value of goods of the same specification and model on the same declaration is US$1,000 or less. The value is calculated using the cost, insurance, and freight value (CIF), and goods of the same specification and model covered by multiple declarations on the same import date must be aggregated.
BSMI’s “List of Common Inspection-Exemption Customs Clearance Codes” specifies different codes and conditions by product category—for example, CI000000000010 applies to information technology equipment (≤ US$1,000, or more than that but no more than 5 pieces), while CI000000000002 applies to goods not covered by a dedicated category (≤ US$1,000, with no quantity limit). Although the inspection standards for power banks include the CNS 14336-1 safety standard for information technology equipment, the code to declare must be determined according to the product’s actual classification at the time of customs declaration. Confirm with a customs broker or BSMI rather than applying a code on your own.
If the goods do not qualify for inspection exemption and no approval document from the Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection is available, they may not be imported and penalties may apply. Businesses that fail to complete the required inspection may be fined up to NT$2 million. For greater safety and assurance, choose a power bank that has obtained BSMI certification and displays a commodity certification registration number.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Chunghwa Post classifies lithium batteries as prohibited dangerous goods pursuant to Article 37 of the Regulations Governing the Handling of Mail and the Universal Postal Convention. The Cross-Strait EMS Traveler Parcel service also expressly prohibits mobile phones, lithium batteries, power banks, tablet computers, laptop computers, and related products with built-in lithium batteries. Chunghwa Post's “Prohibited Dangerous Goods” page further states that illegally transporting dangerous goods by air may result in a fine of NT$20,000 to NT$100,000. To ship them back to Taiwan, use a special-cargo air-freight or sea-freight consolidation channel that accepts Class 9 dangerous goods.
Chunghwa Post also lists lithium batteries as prohibited dangerous goods and does not accept them in domestic mail. For domestic shipping, use a courier willing to carry lithium batteries and proactively disclose that the contents include lithium batteries. Capacity, packaging, and declaration rules vary by carrier, so always confirm with the carrier before shipping.
Yes, but only under certain conditions. Power banks are lithium batteries not installed in equipment (UN3480). Under ICAO／IATA rules, they are prohibited from being carried as cargo on passenger aircraft regardless of Wh and may only be transported on cargo aircraft (SoC ≤ 30%) or by sea, with UN38.3 documentation and a dangerous-goods declaration. The 100Wh／160Wh classifications apply to passenger carry-on baggage, not cargo-shipping thresholds.
Wh = capacity (mAh) × voltage (V) ÷ 1000. Most power banks have a nominal voltage of 3.7V. For example, 10,000mAh is approximately 37Wh, 20,000mAh is approximately 74Wh, and 27,000mAh is approximately 100Wh.
Products intended for sale must pass BSMI inspection. For personal-use imports, under Article 5 of the Regulations Governing Exemption from Inspection of Commodities, goods of the same specification and model on the same declaration may be exempt from inspection if their total value is US$1,000 or less (calculated on a CIF basis, with multiple declarations from the same day aggregated). Whether an exemption remains available above that value and which inspection-exemption customs clearance code should be declared—such as CI000000000010 for information technology equipment or CI000000000002 for goods not covered by a dedicated category—depend on the product’s actual category. Confirm with a customs broker or BSMI before customs declaration.
Yes. Products with built-in or included lithium batteries are also classified as Class 9 dangerous goods (UN3481) and must be transported as special cargo. However, they are subject to fewer restrictions than loose batteries, and most small consumer electronics can be shipped normally through an appropriate consolidation service.
Power banks fall under tariff code 8507.60.00.10-7, with a general tariff rate of 2.5% (imports from mainland China that satisfy ECFA rules of origin and are submitted for preferential treatment as required may qualify for a 0% rate). Imports with a customs value of ≤ NT$2,000 are exempt from customs duty and business tax; above that amount, customs duty and 5% business tax apply. Most personal purchases fall within the tax-exempt threshold.
Loose batteries (UN3480) face the strictest air-freight restrictions. Most consolidation services either do not accept them or require special declarations. Consider shipping a finished product with a built-in battery instead, or use a special-cargo sea-freight channel that accepts them, and prepare a UN38.3 test report.
Legal Basis and Official Sources
- IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR)—lithium battery (Class 9) classifications (UN3480／UN3481), passenger-aircraft loading restrictions, and UN38.3 requirements.
- Civil Aviation Administration, Ministry of Transportation and Communications, “Starting April 8, Passengers May Carry No More Than 2 Power Banks on Flights” (published April 2, 2026; effective April 8, 2026; limit of 2 per passenger, with on-board use and charging prohibited):caa.gov.tw
- Civil Aviation Administration, Ministry of Transportation and Communications, “Power Banks Must Be Carried onto the Aircraft and Properly Protected; Never Place Them in Checked Baggage” (100Wh/160Wh rules for passengers’ carry-on baggage, January 11, 2023):caa.gov.tw
- Article 5, Paragraph 1, Subparagraph 7 of the Regulations Governing Exemption from Inspection of Commodities (information technology equipment: total value ≤ US$1,000, or more than that with a quantity not exceeding 5 pieces):law.moj.gov.tw
- BSMI List of Common Inspection-Exemption Customs Clearance Codes (CI000000000010 for information technology equipment):bsmi.gov.tw
- Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection (BSMI), “Power Banks Are Commodities Subject to Mandatory Inspection”:bsmi.gov.tw
- Customs Administration, Ministry of Finance, “When Purchasing Electrical Products through Cross-Border E-Commerce, Be Sure to Confirm Whether They Are Subject to Mandatory Inspection” (inspection-exemption customs clearance code CI000000000010):web.customs.gov.tw
- Chunghwa Post, “Prohibited Dangerous Goods” (under Article 37 of the Regulations Governing Mail Handling and the Universal Postal Convention; lithium batteries are listed under “Other Dangerous Goods”):post.gov.tw
- Ministry of Environment, “Recycling, Clearance, and Disposal Fee Rates for Dry-Cell Batteries” (including the April 15, 2025 amendment to preferential fee rates for secondary lithium batteries; legal basis: Article 16, Paragraph 5 of the Waste Disposal Act):enews.moenv.gov.tw