[Expired]Anker/Romoss Power Bank Large Recalled

Recently, the "power bank crisis" in China has exploded! First, Romoss recalled products on a large scale, followed quickly by Anker being exposed for issues as well. Overnight, even these "national favorite power banks" have fallen from grace. China's Civil Aviation Administration issued a direct order: power banks without 3C certification are prohibited on flights, creating "electronic waste mountains" at airport security checkpoints, with countless people distraught as their newly purchased $30 power banks were confiscated on the spot.

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This crisis quickly spread globally, with the US market also affected: The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) specifically named several Anker products, directly recalling over 1.15 million units. Many Chinese people living in the US are now concerned—can I still use the power bank I bought in China? Will it be confiscated at security when bringing it to the US? And which brands should I buy in America? Today, let's discuss how to choose a safe, compliant, and hassle-free power bank in the US.

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The power bank market in China has essentially reached extreme competition: prices keep dropping, capacities keep increasing, and safety risks continue to grow. During this crisis, there have been many reports of power banks overheating, catching fire, and exploding:

One person had a power bank by their bedside while sleeping, which caught fire during the night and burned their pillow. Another person had just passed through security when staff told them, "This doesn't have 3C certification, you can't bring it on the plane," and confiscated it immediately. But that's not all—Anker's problem models have affected the US market too, with users reporting power banks suddenly smoking in their bags and burning holes through them. So what exactly is this 3C certification, and does the US have something similar?

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Left is UL certification, right is 3C certification

First, 3C certification is China's mandatory product certification, which only applies within China; while UL certification is a product safety certification provided by Underwriters Laboratories Inc., which follows US regulations and is more widely recognized in the aviation industry worldwide.

🥊 China's 3C Certification vs. America's UL Certification: What's the Difference?

Many people are confused about whether China's 3C certification and America's UL certification are the same thing.

The answer is: they're completely different. In China, 3C certification is a mandatory safety standard—without this mark, you can't even get past airport security. However, 3C is only valid in China. If you bring a 3C-certified power bank to the US, neither airport security nor airlines will recognize it.

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In the US, UL certification is the "passport" for power banks. UL2056 is a safety standard specifically for portable power banks. Products that pass this certification have had their batteries, circuits, and casings undergo extreme testing for high temperatures, short circuits, explosion prevention, and more.

There's also FCC certification, which prevents wireless interference. Especially for power banks with wireless charging capabilities—without FCC certification, they might interfere with aircraft equipment, and airlines will prohibit them completely.

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So, China's 3C certification isn't valid in the US—America recognizes UL and FCC certifications instead.

If you want to carry a power bank with you when going out or boarding a flight, remember these three important points when purchasing:

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• First, look for "US certification." The packaging or product itself should have a UL mark, and ideally the battery cells should also be UL certified. This way, if security questions you, you can confidently show them the certification.
• Second, check the capacity. The US FAA regulations state that carry-on power banks cannot exceed 100Wh, which converts to approximately 27000mAh. If your power bank exceeds this number, you'll need special approval from the airline to bring it on board; otherwise, it must be checked in or may be rejected entirely.
• Third, buy from official channels. Try to order from Amazon, BestBuy, or other reputable platforms. Don't shop at unknown small websites just to save money, and definitely don't follow trends to buy so-called "hot products" through social media—these are likely just rebranded Chinese white-label products.

More inside information about Romoss and Anker power banks: