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Can You Bring a Power Bank on a Plane in Canada? (2026 Rules)

Yes — you can bring a power bank on a plane in Canada, but it must travel in your carry-on baggage, never in checked luggage. According to the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA), all batteries and battery-powered devices should stay with you in the cabin, and power banks rated under 100 watt-hours (Wh) are permitted without airline approval. That covers nearly every phone power bank sold today, including common 10,000 mAh and 20,000 mAh models.

Here is a plain-language breakdown of the current rules: the watt-hour limits, how to convert mAh to Wh, and what Air Canada and WestJet expect at the gate.

The carry-on rule: power banks stay in the cabin

A power bank counts as a spare lithium-ion battery, because the battery isn't installed in a device the way it is in a phone or laptop. CATSA's battery guidelines are clear on this point: keep all batteries and electronic devices containing batteries on you or packed in your carry-on baggage. Spare lithium-ion batteries — including power banks — are only permitted in checked baggage with air carrier approval, and in practice Canadian airlines require them in the cabin.

The reasoning is safety. On rare occasions, lithium batteries can short-circuit and overheat. In the cabin, a problem can be spotted and dealt with quickly; in the cargo hold, it can't.

Watt-hour limits explained (with a mAh conversion)

According to CATSA, lithium-ion batteries fall into three brackets:

  • Under 100 Wh: allowed in carry-on with no approval needed. This covers phones, most laptop batteries and virtually all consumer power banks.
  • 100–160 Wh: allowed in carry-on with air carrier approval, to a maximum of two individually protected spare batteries per person.
  • Over 160 Wh: not allowed in carry-on at all.

Power banks are usually labelled in milliamp-hours (mAh) rather than watt-hours, so here's the conversion formula CATSA provides: Wh = volts × (mAh ÷ 1,000). Most power bank cells run at 3.7 volts, which means:

  • A 10,000 mAh power bank: 3.7 × 10 = 37 Wh — well under the limit.
  • A 20,000 mAh power bank: 3.7 × 20 = 74 Wh — still comfortably fine.
  • A 27,000 mAh power bank: 3.7 × 27 = 99.9 Wh — right at the line.

If your power bank is around 27,000 mAh or larger, check the label for its printed Wh rating before you fly. Most manufacturers print it next to the capacity. If the rating has worn off and can't be verified at screening, the battery may not make it through.

Air Canada and WestJet: what the airlines say

According to Air Canada's restricted and prohibited items policy, spare lithium-ion batteries rated under 100 Wh each — a category that includes power banks — are permitted in carry-on baggage only. Batteries between 100 and 160 Wh are limited to two per passenger and require approval from Air Canada airport agents. Air Canada also asks that spares be individually protected: keep them in original retail packaging, a protective pouch or case, or a separate plastic bag, or tape over any exposed terminals.

WestJet follows the same IATA-based framework: power banks and spare lithium batteries belong in carry-on baggage, individually protected against short circuits. Airline policies do change, and CATSA specifically advises travellers to review their airline's lithium battery policy before flying, so a quick check of your carrier's website is worthwhile before any trip. CATSA also cautions that many airlines now prohibit charging devices from power banks during the flight — board with your phone topped up just in case.

What about checked baggage?

Don't put a power bank in checked luggage. Under CATSA's guidelines, spare lithium-ion batteries of any size are only permitted in checked baggage with air carrier approval — and airlines such as Air Canada state plainly that power banks are carry-on only. Devices with installed batteries under 100 Wh, like a laptop, are technically permitted in checked baggage, but CATSA recommends keeping all battery-powered devices in the cabin, and not every airline allows them to be checked. When in doubt: cabin.

Quick pre-flight checklist

  • Power bank packed in your carry-on or personal item — never checked
  • Rated under 100 Wh (roughly under 27,000 mAh at 3.7 V)
  • Wh rating still legible on the label
  • Terminals protected: pouch, case, plastic bag or original packaging
  • No damaged, swollen or recalled batteries in your bag
  • Devices charged before boarding, in case in-flight charging isn't permitted
  • Airline approval arranged if your battery is between 100 and 160 Wh

Shopping for a compliant charger before a trip? Our travel-ready power banks and charging accessories all sit well under the 100 Wh threshold.

Frequently asked questions

How many power banks can I bring?

CATSA's published table doesn't set a quantity limit for spare batteries under 100 Wh; the two-per-person cap applies to the 100–160 Wh bracket, with airline approval. Pack only what you'll reasonably use, keep each one protected, and check with your airline if you're carrying several.

Is a 20,000 mAh power bank allowed on Air Canada?

Yes. At about 74 Wh, it sits under the 100 Wh threshold, so it's permitted in carry-on baggage without approval.

Can I use my power bank during the flight?

That depends on your airline. According to CATSA, many airlines prohibit charging devices onboard, so charge everything before you board and check your carrier's policy.

Do these rules apply to both domestic and international flights?

CATSA screens all flights departing Canadian airports, and the watt-hour framework follows IATA guidelines used by airlines worldwide. Your airline or destination country may add restrictions, though, so confirm before an international trip.

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