KC Certification for Power Banks: Importing into South Korea

To sell power banks (보조배터리) in South Korea, the battery must meet Korea’s electrical product safety rules under the KC system, and since 21 July 2020 the applicable battery standard has been KC 62133-2, which replaced the older KC 62133. KC 62133-2 is based on IEC 62133-2, the same international lithium battery standard used in many other markets. So the test work you already have may help, but it does not replace the Korean procedure.

This guide is for Korean importers, online sellers and brands sourcing power banks, solar power banks and wireless power banks from China. It covers which standard applies, who handles the KC procedure, what to check on the product, and what to ask the factory for. Confirm the current certification route for your exact product with KATS (Korean Agency for Technology and Standards) or a Korean certification body.

Key Points for Korean Importers

Topic	What to know
Standard	KC 62133-2 (based on IEC 62133-2) for lithium-ion portable batteries, in force since 21 July 2020
Who applies	Usually the Korean importer or brand owner, through a designated certification or testing body
Label	KC mark and certification or confirmation number, plus importer details, on the product
Product variants	Different cells or capacities usually need their own test or confirmation
Wireless charging	Wireless power banks may also need radio-equipment conformity (KC for broadcasting and communication equipment)

KC Mark Alone Does Not Guarantee Quality

A Korea Consumer Agency product test found that power banks on the Korean market all met the KC electrical safety requirements, but some failed heat-exposure tests under KS and IEC standards. For importers this is a useful warning: the KC mark is the legal minimum, not a quality guarantee. Ask your factory about:

The cell brand and grade used in your order, and whether it matches the tested sample
Protection circuits: overcharge, over-discharge, short circuit and over-temperature
Housing material and flame rating
Production consistency: incoming cell inspection and finished-product aging tests

Our models list protection functions on their specification sheets. For example, our HDL618 20,000 mAh solar power bank lists MCU control with overcharge, over-discharge, over-voltage, short-circuit, high-power and over-temperature protection, and an ABS+PC housing. Our 20,000 mAh PD fast-charging model uses an ABS+PC shell with a V0 fire rating.

Wireless and Magnetic Power Banks

Magnetic wireless power banks are popular in Korea. Because a wireless charging pad transmits energy by electromagnetic induction, check whether your model needs radio-equipment conformity in addition to battery safety. Tell your Korean certification body that the product includes wireless charging when you request a quote, so both sides are covered.

What the Factory Provides

IEC 62133-2 test reports for cells and packs, which Korean labs may use as a reference
Samples for Korean testing
Cell, circuit and material information for the certification file
Label artwork with KC mark, number and importer details
Korean manual and packaging
UN38.3 test summary and SDS for shipping

We keep the tested configuration fixed in production. If anything in the bill of materials must change, we notify you first, because it can affect your certification.

Air Travel

Korean airlines follow the 100 Wh limit for power banks without approval and have tightened in-cabin rules. Show the Wh rating on the product and ask customers to check airline rules.