A Guide to Relocating to Denmark

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Important information you need to know when moving to Denmark

Want to move to Copenhagen? Considering moving to Arrhus? Here’s the moving advice you’ll need for any international removal to Denmark

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Nyhavn harbour Copenhagen Denmark
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Moving Household Goods And Personal Effects To Denmark

Please note. That many of these things will not apply to you if you are moving from another EU (European Union) State and/or you are a citizen of the EU (European Union) due to the free movement of goods throughout the EU.

Below is a list of the documents you will need when planning an international removal to Denmark:

  • Passport (Of the individual moving/importing the goods) Bill of lading (OBL) / air waybill (AWB) – We will take care of this if completing the entire international removal to Denmark for you.
  • Removal packing list in English – We will complete this if you want us to undertake a full packing service for your removal
  • Detailed moving inventory (if alcohol is included in the shipment)
  • Declaration from diplomatic organization (applicable only to diplomatic relocations / diplomats moving)

We recommend providing these as soon as possible to reduce delays with your removal to Denmark. Late receipt of documentation can lead to missed shipments, additional charges and penalties at Danish Customs. For your own protection, we will almost never ship your goods without the above in place.

Many parked bikes on a narrow old Minter Street Møntergade in the Old Town of Copenhagen, Denmark

Additional Removal Advice

  • 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 abroad 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 moving inventory to facilitate Customs clearance.

Popular Destinations in Denmark

Gerson Moving Services is vastly experienced in international removals to cities all over the globe. Their long history and detailed knowledge of different countries makes them the perfect choice for your move. Here are some of the most popular destinations we are asked to move people to in Denmark:

Copenhagen, Aarhus, Odense, Aalborg, Frederiksberg, Esbjerg, Gentofte, Gladsaxe, Randers, Kolding, Horsens.

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Additional Services for your move to Denmark

Moving Your Money

If you’re moving to Denmark, it’s very likely you’ll need to exchange a significant amount of currency. Many people lose out by using their bank, assuming it’s the only option. However, there are specialist currency exchange providers that offer more competitive rates and can help you save thousands. To find out how to make your money go further during your move, speak to one of our move managers, click here, or give us a call: +44 20 7097 5335.

Get Move Liability Cover for your international removal to Denmark

We always advise taking out move protection liability cover with us on every move. Although we like to think we’re the best in the industry, the odd accident can occasionally happen. For added peace of mind, make sure to speak to one of our move managers about this.

Discover Our GMS Xtra Value Services

Gerson Moving Services goes beyond standard removals, offering a full range of relocation solutions to make your move seamless. Our value-added services include international currency transfer, home and school search, visa and immigration support, health insurance, container tracking, car purchase and leasing, and temporary accommodation. We also provide expert packing, secure storage, customs clearance, and pet relocation, ensuring a smooth transition whether you’re moving locally or internationally. With our end-to-end relocation management, you can trust Gerson for a stress-free, efficient move.

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Moving Your Car Or Motorcycle

Documents required

Below is a list of the documents you will need when planning to move your vehicle to Denmark:

  • Original registration
  • Original bill of lading
  • Insurance card
motorbike-crating for shipment

Additional Import Advice

  • 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 14 days following Customs clearance.
  • Danish vehicle registration tax is extremely high and is required.

Relocating Your Pets to Denmark

These documents will be required when planning to relocate your pet to Denmark:

  • Veterinary health certificate
  • Rabies vaccination record

Additional Import Advice

  • 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.
Dogs traveling by airplane. Boxes with live animals at the airport

Restricted & Dutiable / Taxable Items

Think very carefully before moving these items to Denmark. Items on this list will be taxed and/or require specific permission to import. In all cases they must be declared prior to you relocating to Denmark:

  • Narcotics and medicines (authorization is required)
  • Firearms and ammunition (a license from the Danish Ministry of Justice is required)
  • Live plants (a license from the Danish Governmental Plant Protection Service is required)
  • Live, dead, and pre-manufactured animal parts (authorization and a license from the Danish Nature Conservancy Board is required)
  • Wine / spirits / tobacco:If alcoholic beverages are included in the shipment, a detailed moving inventory listing brand, alcohol percentage, numbers, and bottle size must be included with the shipping documents.
  • Except for identical bottles, it is a requirement that the moving inventory provides a separate listing for each bottle.
  • Any quantities of wine / spirits included in any household goods shipments must be declared to be for personal consumption.
  • Duty and tax will be assessed on what is declared.
  • The amount of duties and taxes will be assessed on the kind, value, and quantity of imported tobacco products.
  • Estimates prior to import are not available.
  • The contents of cartons marked ‘packed by owner (PBO)’ must be declared on the moving inventory.
  • Inheritances:
  • Inheritances, except wine, spirits, and tobacco may be imported duty free within 2 years following the finalization of the estate.
  • The owner of the goods must produce documentation in the form of a will or a declaration issued and legalized by the lawyers handling the estate.

Prohibited / Banned Items

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Do not move any of these items to Denmark:

  • Pornography and subversive materials
  • 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)
  • Weapons and ammunitions

The following additional items are prohibited in GMS Baggage/Courier Consignments:

  • Aerosols (all kinds, Hairspray, Deodorant etc)
  • Aftershaves / Perfumes / Fragrances
  • Airbags
  • Alcoholic Drinks or Bottles
  • Ammunition of any kind
  • Animals of any kind (Dead or Alive)
  • Any items containing Petrol (Liquid, Gas or Fumes)
  • Biological Samples
  • Car Batteries
  • Cash & Cards (Credit / Debit)
  • Chainsaws
  • Cheques (Bank)
  • Christmas Crackers
  • Counterfeit Currency
  • Dangerous Goods
  • Driving Licence
  • Drugs (Including Prescription)
  • Engines
  • Excrement / Filth
  • Fire Extinguishers
  • Fish (Dead or Live)
  • Foodstuffs (all kinds)
  • Hazardous Goods
  • Human Remains (including ashes)
  • Infectious Substances
  • Knives
  • Laptop Computers, Mobile/Smart Phones or Tablets
  • Lighters
  • Lottery Tickets
  • Nail Varnish / Nail Varnish Remover
  • Oils
  • Paints
  • Passports
  • Perishable Goods (All)
  • Plants / Seeds etc
  • Printer Toner
  • Seatbelt Tensioners and Steering Wheels
  • Stamps
  • Tobacco
  • Water
  • Weapons (all kinds, including replicas)
  • Windscreens

Disclaimer: Customs regulations can change at any time with or without notice. This information is provided as a guide only. While Gerson Moving Services has exercised reasonable care in publishing this information, Gerson Moving Services makes no representation, either expressed or implied, as to its accuracy or applicability.

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