Customs regulations for your trip to Denmark

Customs Regulations

Do not get involved with drugs of any kind. Although Denmark is generally a liberal society, drug use is illegal, and laws are enforced. You will not be treated more leniently than residents. Drug dealers can receive heavy sentences. Anyone found in possession of illegal drugs deemed to be for personal consumption will often receive a fine or a short prison sentence.

As of 1 August 2018, it’s illegal in Denmark to wear in a public place any clothing which conceals the face. There are exemptions allowed in Danish law, when concealing your face serves a ‘worthy purpose’, e.g., for health reasons. Failure to comply with this law is punishable by a fine of DKK1000 (around €135). The fine can increase for repeat offenders. The law applies to both residents and visitors.

Homosexuality is legal and Danish law allows same sex marriages.

Whale meat is available in The Faroe Islands and Greenland but importing it into the UK/EU is illegal under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. Any importation of whale meat to the UK/EU will result in seizure of the goods, possibly a fine of up to £5,000 and a custodial sentence.

Taking food and drink into the EU

You cannot take meat, milk or products containing them into EU countries. There are some exceptions for medical reasons, for example certain amounts of powdered infant milk, infant food, or pet food required for medical reasons.

• Customs procedures, including the classification and valuation of imported goods entering Denmark, are governed by EU rules.  For information on import duties and tariffs, U.S. exporters may contact the Danish Customs Office listed below:

Central Customs and Tax Administration

Sluseholmen 8B,
DK-2450 København
Danmark
http://www.skat.dk/
Tel: +45 72-221818

• The following provides information on major regulatory efforts of the EC Taxation and Customs Union Directorate:
• The Union Customs Code (UCC) was adopted in 2013 and its substantive provisions apply from 1 May 2016. It replaces the Community Customs Code (CCC).  In addition to the UCC, the European Commission has published delegated and implementing regulations on the actual procedural changes.  These are included in Delegated Regulation (EU) 2015/2446, Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/341 and the Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/2447.
• There are a number of changes in the revised customs policy which also require an integrated IT system from the customs authorities.  In April 2016, the European Commission published an implementing decision (number: 2016/578) on the work program relating to the development and deployment of the electronic systems of the UCC.  The EC continues to evaluate the timeline by which the EU-wide integration of the customs IT system can be implemented.  The current deadline of December 2020 may be extended until 2025 (draft proposal)
• Key Link: Homepage of Customs and Taxation Union Directorate (TAXUD) Website
• Customs Valuation – Most customs duties and value added tax (VAT) are expressed as a percentage of the value of goods being declared for importation.  Thus, it is necessary to dispose of a standard set of rules for establishing the goods’ value, which will then serve for calculating the customs duty.
• Given the magnitude of EU imports every year, it is important that the value of such commerce is accurately measured for the purposes of:
  • economic and commercial policy analysis;
  • application of commercial policy measures;
  • proper collection of import duties and taxes; and
  • import and export statistics.
• These objectives are met using a single instrument – the rules on customs value.
• The EU applies an internationally accepted concept of ‘customs value’.
• The value of imported goods is one of three ‘elements of taxation’ that provides the basis for assessment of the customs debt, which is the technical term for the amount of duty that has to be paid, the other ones being the origin of the goods and the customs tariff

Click here to view : Customs Regulations

Used Household Goods and Personal Effects

Documents Required

• Passport
• Bill of lading (OBL) / air waybill (AWB)
• Packing list in English
• Declaration from diplomatic organization (diplomats)
• Detailed inventory (if alcohol is included in the shipment)

Specific Information

• All household goods shipments arriving by sea, air, rail, or road must be cleared through Customs at the port of entry (POE).
• Those coming from non-European Union countries, household goods which have been owned and used for a minimum of 6 months and intended for owner of the goods’ use, may be imported duty free by any person taking up residence in Denmark.
• Returning citizens must have lived outside the EU for minimum 12 months to qualify for the duty-free importation of household goods; verification from an employer or authorities abroad may be required.
• The owner of the goods must be registered as a resident with the Danish authorities (Folkeregister) prior to Customs clearance and the goods must be imported within 12 months of the owner of the goods’ arrival.
• Goods may be imported 6 months ahead of the owner of the goods’ arrival.
  • This is subject to the owner of the goods providing a security deposit to the authorities for the applicable duty, tax and value added tax (VAT) payments.
• Assessing the duties and taxes on used personal effects is tedious and will require considerable handling costs.
• Please note that all consignments entering the European Union (EU) must comply with the International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15 (ISPM15) that sets the guidelines for the use of wooden packaging material in international trade.
• Visitors and Danish citizens who do not reside in Denmark cannot import household goods free of duty.
• Diplomats employed with a foreign organization in Denmark may import personal effects free of duty and without Customs inspection, provided the local organization has issued a declaration.
• Returning Danish diplomats do not receive Customs exemptions or privileges, and shipments of household goods and personal effects will be subject to normal Customs regulations, including the payment of duties and taxes for restricted items.
• The duty-free import of household goods and personal effects to a secondary residence in the European Union is no longer permitted (as of December 1, 2008).
• The content of any packed by owner (PBO) cartons must be declared on the inventory to facilitate Customs clearance.

Click here to view : Country Guide

Dutiable Items

For free import regulations for the Faroe Isl. and Greenland, see separate subsections below.
Free import to passengers arriving in Denmark (excl. Faroe Isl. and Greenland) with goods purchased within the EU which are for personal use only:

Tobacco products, for passengers aged 16 and over:

• 800 cigarettes; or
• 400 cigarillos (max. 3 grams each); or
• 200 cigars; or
• 1 kilogram of pipe or cigarette tobacco;

Alcoholic beverages, for passengers aged 16 years and older:

• 10 liters of spirits over 22%; or
• 20 liters of alcoholic beverages less than 22%; or
• 90 liters of wine (though no more than 60 liters of sparkling wine); or
• 110 liters of beer.

Free import to passengers arriving in Denmark

(excl. Faroe Isl. and Greenland) from non-EU Member States (incl. Aland Island, Canary Islands, Channel Islands and other similar territories) :

Tobacco products, for passengers aged 17 and older:

• 200 cigarettes; or
• 100 cigarillos (max. 3 grams each); or
• 50 cigars; or
• 250 grams of tobacco; or
• proportional assortment;

Alcoholic beverages, for passengers aged 17 and older:

• 1 liter of spirits over 22% volume, or non-denatured ethyl alcohol with more than 80% volume; or
• 2 liters of spirits or aperitifs made of wine or similar beverages less than 22% volume, or sparkling wines or liquor wines; or
• a proportional mix of these products; and in addition
• 4 liters of wine; and
• 16 liters of beer;

Medicinal products sufficient for personal needs;

Other goods (for air travelers) up to a total value of EUR 430.- per traveler.

Free import for passengers arriving in the Faroe Isl.:

Tobacco products, for passengers of 18 years and older:

• 200 cigarettes; or
• 100 cigarillos (max. 3 grams each); or
• 50 cigars; or
• 250 grams of tobacco;

Alcoholic beverages, for passengers of 18 years and older:

• 1 liter of spirits over 22% volume and 1 liter of fortified wine less than 22% volume and 2 liters of beer; or
• 1 liter of spirits over 22% volume and 2 liters of table wine and 2 liters of beer; or
• 4 liters of table wine and 2 liters of beer; or
• 10 liters of beer;

50 milliliter of perfume, 250 milliliters of eau de toilette, 3 kilograms of chocolate products; 10 liters of soda;

Other goods up to a total value of DKK 2.500,-.

Free import for passengers arriving in Greenland:

Tobacco products, for passengers of 18 years and older:

• 200 cigarettes; or
• 100 cigarillos (max. 3 grams each); or
• 50 cigars; or
• 250 grams of tobacco;

Alcoholic beverages, for passengers of 18 years and older:

• 1 liter of spirits over 22% volume or 2 liters of fortified wine under 22% volume; and
• 2,25 liters of table wine of max. 15% volume; and
• 2 liters of beer: and
• 2 liters of soft drinks containing carbonic acid;

50 milliliter of perfume, 250 milliliters of eau de toilette, cosmetics and other toiletries up to max. DKK 1.000,-.;

4 kilograms of chocolates and sweets, 4 kilograms of coffee or tea, 5 kilograms of meat, meat products or poultry.

Products of animal origin, not originating from an EU Member State, Andorra, Liechtenstein, Norway, San Marino or Switzerland, are not permitted to be imported into an EU Member State, with the exception of limited amounts from Andorra, Faroe Isl., Greenland, Iceland and small amounts of specific products from other countries.

Click here to view : Airport tax regulations details

• Pets need to be identifiable (tattoo or an electronic identification system), vaccinated against rabies and have a health certificate. For more information please refer to the nearest embassy.
• Maximum of 10 kg of meat, milk and dairy products coming from Croatia, Færøer Islands, Greenland and Iceland
• Powdered milk for babies, food for children and special medical food (including pets food) may be allowed if they need not to be refrigerated prior opening and that it is brand packaged food and the packaging has original seal (unless in use at the time) and its quantity must not exceed the weight of 10 kg originating from Croatia, Færøer Islands, Greenland and Iceland, and of 2 kg if originating in other countries.
• Fish only if it is disembowelled and does not exceed the weight of 20 kg,
• Currency – no restrictions if coming from EU country. Declarable for all travelling outside EU when the amount exceeds 10.000 euro or equivalent in another currency.
• Coats, fur and leather shoes made of protected animals will need special authorization.

Click here to view : Customs

Prohibited Items

• Meat and milk and any items thereof from non-EU countries with the exception of limited amounts from Andorra, Croatia, the Faeroe Islands, Greenland, Iceland and small amounts of specific products from other countries
• Protected species and products thereof as listed by the CITES (Washington Convention) for example ivory, tortoise shell, coral, reptile skin, wood from Amazonian forests.
• Weapons and ammunitions
• Explosives
• Live, dead, and pre-manufactured animal parts outline in the Washington Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)

Miscellaneous (Pets, Motors, and others.)

Motor Vehicles

Documents Required

• Original registration
• Insurance card
• Original bill of lading

Specific Information

• Cars, motorcycles, airplanes, caravans, pleasure crafts, and motor trailers may be imported duty free if it is in the owner of the goods’ possession and registered abroad for a minimum of 6 months.
• The original foreign registration papers and insurance card must be available and submitted to Customs.
• The owner of the goods must personally present the vehicle to authorities for registration within 30 days following Customs clearance.
• Danish vehicle registration tax is extremely high and is required.

Pets

Documents Required

• Rabies vaccination record
• Veterinary health certificate

Specific Information

• The entry of pets is permitted from most countries with valid documentation.
• The veterinary health certificate must not be more than 1 month old and must be issued by a European Union approved veterinarian
• The veterinary health certificate must be issued at least 3 weeks but not more than 12 months prior to departure from the origin country.
• Identification of the animal (tattoo or microchip) will be verified against documents prior to entry.
• All original documents must accompany the pet and be available to authorities at each point of transshipment and border crossings.
• Pets from certain countries may be required to undergo a rabies serological test prior to importation.
• Quarantine will not be required for healthy animals.

Pets:

Denmark: Cats and dogs are subject to Regulation (EC) No. 998/2003 and Regulation (EU) 576/2013 .
Birds are subject to Decision (EC) No. 25/2007.
For more information contact the Danish Consul.
Pets may enter as passenger’s checked baggage, in the cabin or as cargo.
Prohibited: the import of all birds, including pet birds and poultry, arriving from countries infected with Avian influenza.

Faroe Isl.: import to Faroe Islands of cats and dogs is only allowed if the owner has a permanent address in the Faroe Isl. or is moving to the Faroe Isl. for residence. Cats and dogs are not permitted for stays shorter than 3 months or if being in transit through Faroe Isl. to another country.
For other requirements see ”Denmark” above or www.hfs.fo

Greenland: Import regulations are very strict. An import license from the Ministry of Fisheries, Hunting and Agriculture, must be obtained prior to departure, see www.naalakkersuisut.gl/kl-GL

Baggage Clearance regulations:

Denmark: baggage is cleared at the airport of final destination.
Faroe Islands and Greenland: baggage is cleared at the first airport of entry in Faroe Islands or Greenland and must be labeled to the airport of final destination.

Currency

Currency Import regulations:

Local currency (Danish Krone-DKK) and foreign currencies: same regulations as for Export apply.

Currency Export regulations:

Local currency (Danish Krone -DKK) and foreign currencies: amounts exceeding EUR 10,000.- or the equivalent in other currencies (incl. banker’s draft and cheques of any kind) must be declared.