How to Ship from the US to Denmark: Complete 2026 Guide

Introduction

Denmark is a Scandinavian country of approximately 5.9 million people known for its high standard of living, efficient public services, and trade-friendly business environment. As a member of the European Union, Denmark follows EU customs regulations while maintaining its own currency, the Danish krone (DKK). Shipping from the United States to Denmark is reliable and straightforward, though Denmark's 25% VAT rate, one of the highest in the EU, adds a significant cost to imported goods.

Denmark's postal service, PostNord Danmark, provides efficient last-mile delivery throughout the country. The nation's compact geography and excellent infrastructure mean that delivery times within Denmark are short once customs clearance is complete. Denmark also includes the self-governing territories of Greenland and the Faroe Islands, which are not part of the EU and have different customs rules.

Danish consumers are avid online shoppers and frequently purchase from US-based retailers. The e-commerce market is mature, and Danish customers are accustomed to paying VAT and handling fees on international purchases. Understanding the cost structure upfront helps avoid negative surprises and keeps customers satisfied.

Best Carriers for Shipping to Denmark

USPS (United States Postal Service)

USPS provides cost-effective shipping to Denmark. Priority Mail International delivers in 6 to 10 business days, First-Class Package International Service handles items under 4.4 pounds in 7 to 21 days, and Priority Mail Express International delivers in 3 to 5 business days. PostNord Danmark handles final delivery.

UPS

UPS Worldwide Express delivers to Denmark in 1 to 3 business days, with Worldwide Saver at 2 to 3 days and Worldwide Expedited at 3 to 5 days. UPS has a well-established Danish operation and provides efficient customs clearance through Copenhagen.

FedEx

FedEx International Priority delivers to Denmark in 2 to 3 business days, with International Economy at 3 to 5 days. FedEx provides reliable service to all parts of Denmark and handles customs documentation effectively.

DHL Express

DHL Express Worldwide delivers to Denmark in 1 to 3 business days. As a European company, DHL has particularly strong infrastructure in Scandinavia and provides efficient customs processing.

Shipping Costs and Transit Times

Estimated costs for a 5-pound package from the US East Coast to Copenhagen:

Denmark has no significant remote area surcharges due to its compact size. Using atoship commercial rates provides savings of 40% to 89%.

Customs, Duties, and Import Regulations

Denmark follows EU customs rules with Danish-specific tax rates.

EU Import Framework

Since July 2021, all imports into the EU are subject to VAT regardless of value. The 150-euro duty-free threshold applies: goods valued at or below 150 euros (approximately 1,120 DKK) are exempt from customs duties but still subject to Danish VAT. Goods above 150 euros face both customs duties and VAT.

IOSS (Import One-Stop Shop)

The EU IOSS system allows sellers to collect VAT at checkout for orders under 150 euros. If the seller is IOSS-registered and VAT is prepaid, the package enters Denmark without additional charges at the border. Otherwise, PostNord or the carrier collects VAT from the receiver. PostNord charges a handling fee of 160 DKK (approximately $23) for processing customs payments, which is among the highest in Europe. This handling fee makes prepaying VAT through IOSS particularly valuable for Danish deliveries.

Customs Duties

EU Common Customs Tariff rates apply to goods over 150 euros:

Danish VAT (Moms)

Denmark applies a flat VAT rate of 25% on all goods and services, with no reduced rates. This is one of the highest VAT rates in the EU and applies uniformly to all imported goods. VAT is calculated on the CIF value plus any customs duties.

Unlike Ireland and Portugal, Denmark does not offer reduced VAT rates for any product categories. Books, food, children's items, and all other goods are taxed at the full 25% rate. This means the minimum additional cost for any import into Denmark is 25% of the declared value.

Required Documentation

Shipments require a commercial invoice or customs declaration, detailed item descriptions and values, HS tariff codes, country of origin, IOSS number if VAT was prepaid, and the receiver's CPR number (personal identification number) may be requested for customs clearance.

Prohibited and Restricted Items

Denmark prohibits the import of narcotics and controlled substances, weapons and ammunition without permits, counterfeit goods, meat and dairy products from non-EU countries, certain agricultural products without EU phytosanitary certificates, products containing certain restricted chemicals (REACH regulation), and goods made from endangered species.

Restricted items include pharmaceutical products requiring Danish Medicines Agency approval, food supplements requiring Danish Veterinary and Food Administration notification, alcohol subject to excise duties, tobacco subject to excise duties, electronics requiring CE marking, drones requiring Danish Transport Authority registration, and vitamins and minerals in quantities exceeding Danish limits.

Denmark enforces strict limits on vitamin and mineral supplement imports. Supplements exceeding Denmark's maximum permitted levels for certain vitamins and minerals may be confiscated. The limits are lower than what is commonly sold in the US, so check Danish regulations before shipping supplements.

Packaging Tips for International Shipments

Denmark has a cold, damp climate for much of the year. Use moisture-resistant packaging and seal packages thoroughly. Standard international packaging practices apply: sturdy boxes, individual wrapping, void fill, and reinforced tape.

Danish addresses typically include a street name and number, floor and door (for apartments), postal code (4 digits), and city name. Example format: Norre Farimagsgade 45, 3. th., 1364 Kobenhavn K. Including the full address with floor and door designations is essential for apartment deliveries in Copenhagen and other cities.

Tracking and Insurance Options

All carriers provide tracking to Denmark. USPS tracking transfers to PostNord, which provides reliable tracking updates. PostNord also sends SMS and email notifications for incoming international packages, including customs charge notifications.

USPS includes up to $200 insurance with Priority Mail Express International. Private carriers offer declared value coverage up to $50,000. Denmark's postal infrastructure is highly reliable, and package loss rates are very low.

How to Save on International Shipping

Denmark's 25% VAT and PostNord's high handling fee (160 DKK) make cost optimization particularly important. Use atoship for commercial carrier rates at 40% to 89% below retail. Strongly consider IOSS-registered platforms to prepay VAT and avoid PostNord's handling fee, which saves approximately $23 per package.

Keep shipment values at or below 150 euros to avoid customs duties on top of VAT. Use USPS for lightweight packages. Consolidate items into fewer shipments to minimize handling fees. Use private carriers (UPS, FedEx, DHL) for higher-value shipments, as their customs processing fees may be lower than PostNord's handling charges.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does shipping from the US to Denmark take? Express services deliver in 1 to 5 business days. Economy services take 7 to 21 days. Customs clearance adds 1 to 3 business days.

How much VAT do I pay on imports to Denmark? Denmark applies a flat 25% VAT on all imports with no reduced rates for any product category. This is calculated on the CIF value plus any applicable customs duties.

What is PostNord's handling fee? PostNord charges 160 DKK (approximately $23 USD) to process customs payments on behalf of the receiver. This fee is avoided if VAT was prepaid through IOSS at checkout.

Can I ship to Greenland or the Faroe Islands using this guide? No. Greenland and the Faroe Islands are not part of the EU and have separate customs rules. This guide covers mainland Denmark only. Shipping to Greenland and the Faroe Islands requires different customs declarations and may have different duty rates.

Are there special rules for shipping vitamins to Denmark? Yes. Denmark has strict limits on vitamin and mineral content in supplements. Products exceeding Danish maximum levels may be confiscated. Check the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration guidelines before shipping supplements.

Is Denmark more expensive to ship to than other EU countries? Carrier costs are similar to other Western European destinations. However, Denmark's flat 25% VAT with no reduced rates and PostNord's high handling fee make the total landed cost somewhat higher than countries like Ireland (0% VAT on books) or Germany (7% reduced rate on some goods).