Since 1 February 2019, power banks sold in Japan must carry the PSE mark. Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) brought portable lithium-ion batteries (モバイルバッテリー, “mobile batteries”) under the Electrical Appliance and Material Safety Act (電気用品安全法, the “PSE law”) in 2018, after a rise in fires. Since the transition period ended, mobile batteries that do not meet the technical requirements may not be manufactured, imported or sold in Japan.
This guide is for Japanese importers, trading companies and brand owners sourcing power banks and solar power banks from China. It explains who is responsible for PSE, what the label must show, which documents to request from your factory, and how solar power banks fit in. Confirm current procedures with METI or a registered conformity assessment body in Japan.
Who Is Responsible for PSE
Under the PSE law, the responsible party is the business that manufactures or imports the product in Japan. For power banks made in China, that is the Japanese importer. The importer notifies METI of its business, makes sure the product meets the technical standards, keeps inspection records and applies the PSE mark. The factory supports this with test reports, production inspection and labeling, but the legal duty sits with the importer.
Power banks are in the “non-specified” category of electrical products, which uses the round PSE mark rather than the diamond-shaped mark for higher-risk “specified” products.
What Must Appear on the Product
Japan’s National Consumer Affairs Center lists the information a mobile battery sold after February 2019 must show:
- The PSE mark
- The name of the notifying business (the importer)
- Rated capacity
- Rated voltage
Print these on the housing during production. Stickers added after import are a common reason for retail rejections. Send us the importer name exactly as registered, and we include it in the artwork.
Technical Requirements and Test Reports
Power banks must meet the lithium-ion battery requirements in METI’s technical standards. In practice, Japanese importers ask the factory for:
- A test report against the applicable Japanese technical standard for lithium-ion batteries, from a qualified lab
- Cell information: manufacturer, model and energy density
- Production inspection records, because the importer must keep inspection results
- UN38.3 test summary and SDS for shipping
Some of our power bank models are listed with PSE among their certifications. Tell us which model you plan to import and we will confirm whether a valid report exists for that exact configuration. A report for a different cell or capacity does not cover your product.
Solar Power Banks in Japan
The solar panel does not change the PSE requirement, because the battery is still a mobile lithium-ion battery. It does change what customers expect. In Japan, solar power banks sell mainly for disaster preparedness (防災), alongside radios, lights and stored water. Japanese buyers read specifications closely, so:
- State clearly that solar charging is a backup and USB charging is the main method
- Show rated capacity in mAh and Wh
- List protections such as overcharge, over-discharge, short circuit and over-temperature
- Provide a Japanese manual
Our solar range includes rugged models with flashlights, built-in cables and wireless charging. For Japanese disaster radios, see our guide to bosai radios for Japan.
Air Travel
Japanese airlines have also tightened rules on power banks in the cabin, including limits on in-flight use. For travel products, show the Wh rating clearly and tell customers to check their airline’s rules.
What to Send Us for an Accurate Quote
- Models from our solar power bank range or other lines
- Your company name as registered with METI, for the label
- Quantity per model and color
- Japanese packaging and manual requirements
- Target arrival date
Contact our sales team and we will confirm the PSE documents available for your model.
Frequently Asked Questions
Since when do power banks in Japan need the PSE mark?
Since 1 February 2019, after a one-year transition from METI’s February 2018 decision.
Who applies the PSE mark, the factory or the importer?
The Japanese importer is the responsible business. The factory supports it with test reports, inspection data and labeling.
What information must a power bank show in Japan?
The PSE mark, the notifying business’s name, the rated capacity and the rated voltage.
Do solar power banks need PSE too?
Yes. The solar panel does not change the fact that the product contains a mobile lithium-ion battery.
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