Importing Personal Effects into Denmark: Documents & Customs Rules

Source: FIDI Customs Guide · Updated 2026 · Download the Denmark Import Guide (PDF)

Removal goods - from countries outside EU

• Danish customs form “Declaration of Personal Property”.
• Inventory in English.
• B/L or AWB - shipper & consignee must be the same person on the B/L as well as on the AWB.
• Copy of the importer’s passport identification pages.
• All shippers will be requested to provide proof of a minimum stay of twelve months outside EU for example in the form of a certification from an authority abroad, lease contract or work contract.
• Proof of registration with Danish Authorities. It can either be a copy of the yellow health card or a letter from the local registration office.
• Foreigners will be requested to submit a copy of a Danish work contract and lease contract in Denmark
• If alcoholic beverages, tea and coffee are included in the shipment, a detailed inventory is required listing brand, alcohol percentage, numbers and sizes of bottles.

• Household goods which have been owned and used for minimum 6 months, and still are intended for owner’s use, can be imported duty free by any person taking up residence in Denmark or within the EU.
• All shippers must have had a residence outside the EU for minimum 12 months to qualify for duty free importation of household goods.
• Household Goods must be imported within 12 months of the owner’s registration date to enjoy duty free import.
• Owner must be registered as a resident in Denmark before the arrival of the shipment.

• Customs clearance must take place immediately upon arrival of the goods.
• Visitors and Danes residing abroad cannot import household goods free of taxes and duty.
• Import customs clearance cannot be done using an administrative CPR number. The CPR number must be active. The CPR will only be active once the assignee has been at the local registration office and has been registered.
• Please do not use the terms “Miscellaneous” or PBO on the inventory.

Diplomatic removals

• Inventory.
• A “Declaration for Diplomats” issued by the embassy or local foreign mission.

• A person being accredited as a foreign diplomat to Denmark is allowed duty free import privileges including duty free import of alcohol (no quotas).
• The Declaration for Diplomat number 13004 has to be filled out by the Foreign Embassy in Denmark. The alcohol must only be for own consumption or to use in a professional capacity. The alcohol is not to be sold in Denmark.

• Returning Danish Diplomats do not enjoy any diplomatic privileges and their removals will be customs cleared under common rules and regulations (they must pay duties on any dutiable items included in their shipment).

Wedding trousseaux

• Inventory.
• Declaration signed by both persons.
• Marriage certificate.

• Duty-free.
• Danes must have had a residence abroad for minimum 12 months to qualify for duty free importation of wedding gifts.
• Household Goods must be imported within 4 months of the wedding to enjoy duty free import.

• Goods must be for use in normal household.
• Maximum value EUR 1,000 per gift items.
• Residents of Denmark cannot import wedding gifts of duty and taxes.

Inheritance

• Inventory.
• Inheritance certificate signed by client.
• Death certificate.
• Copy of will or declaration issued and legalised by the Lawyer handling the estate.

• Duty-free within 2 years following the finalization of the estate.

• Goods must be for use in normal household.

New items

• Invoice.

• From outside EU, subject to duty and VAT.

Works of Art

• If included in household goods, see "removal goods"; if commercial, see "new items".
• If for exhibition:
• Inventory.
• Pro-forma invoice.
• Temporary free entry or ATA-carnet.

• Duty-free.
• For exhibitions – provided:
• the importer is registered as an importer with the Danish Customs/Tax authorities and has posted a security deposit, or
• a bank guarantee is posted.

• It is recommended to contact your local agent prior to shipment.

Antiques

• If included in household goods, see "removal goods".
• If commercial:
• Invoice.
• Certificate stating/certifying that the item is at least 100 years old.

• Duty free, but subject to VAT (25%).

Machines, implements and spare parts

• See ‘New items”.

• Under some circumstances, there are special rules for scientific equipment, spare parts etc. Contact your local agent prior to shipment

Restricted items

• Invoice.
• Certificate of origin.

• Any quantities of wine, spirits, tea, coffee and tobacco included in household goods shipment must be declared to be for personal consumption and will attract duty and tax.
• Larger quantities will be considered as commercial import and may only be imported by licensed importers.

• Restricted import - wine, spirits, tea, coffee and tobacco.
• As the amount of duties and taxes will be assessed on the value and quantity of the beverage or tobacco to be imported it is not possible to indicate a general level of duties.
• Please note that all quantities, whether in unopened or opened bottles, will be assessed taxes and duties
• Due to the high taxes, there is a strict
• control by import and it is not advisable to include spirits in removals.

Food & Tinned goods

• May be required:
• Origin certificate.

• Generally not permitted however contact local agent with detailed description for exceptions prior to shipment.
• Food and tinned goods must have been in your possession for minimum 6 months, and proof of ownership is required, otherwise subject to duties and taxes.

• Rules vary.
• It is recommended not to bring in food or tinned goods as this may delay customs clearance and result in extra expenses.

Arms, ammunition and dangerous items

• Import licence from Ministry of Justice, issued through local Police office.
• Shooting permit.

• Prohibited (unless a special license is obtained from the Danish Ministry of Justice).

Sport items

• If included in household goods, see "removal goods".
• If for competitions: valued inventory.

• Temporary free entry.

Narcotic medicines

• Prohibited (unless there is a special license from the Danish Ministry of Justice).

• It is recommended to bring all kinds of medicine as carry-on luggage only.

Precious metal items

• If included in household goods, see "removal goods"; otherwise see "new items".

• Import and possession of gold and silver in bars is prohibited.

Plants

• Prohibited (unless the Danish Governmental Plant Protection Service grants a license based on certificate from authorities at origin that the plants are free from disease).

Domestic animals

• Health certificate not more than 1 month old issued by the Veterinarian Authorities at origin or EU animal passport.
• Certificate for rabies vaccination (issued at least 3 weeks but not more than 12 months
• prior departure).
• Identification of the animal (tattoo or microchip) must be verified against health certificates before any entry is allowed.

• May be imported from most countries provided the required documents are valid and available at the port of entry.
• Pets from certain countries may be required to undergo a rabies serological test prior to
• importation into the EU.
• Please always refer to your local agent for up-to-date information prior to importation. Under normal circumstances, quarantine will not be required for healthy animals.

Other animals

• Prohibited live, dead and pre-manufactured parts of animals as mentioned in the Washington Convention (unless the Danish Nature Conservancy Board grants a license).

Wood

• Fumigation of imported and exported wooden packaging materials including wooded crates.
• Please note that all consignment entering the European Union must comply with the international Standard for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15 (ISPM15) that sets out the guidelines for the use of wooden packaging material in international trade.
• All arriving solid wood packaging incl. dunnage must carry the ISPM15 mark indicating that all the timber has received appropriate treatment.

Exporting Personal Effects from Denmark: Documents & Customs Rules

Source: FIDI Customs Guide · Updated 2026 · Download the Denmark Export Guide (PDF)

Removal Goods-HHG/PE

• Copy of passport

• No particular export clearance requirements for export shipments out of Denmark.

Denmark Moving Guide: Documents, Duties & Shipping Notes

Source: IAM Country Guide · Updated 2026-09-05 · Download the Denmark Country Guide (PDF)

Documents

Documents required for importing used household goods, personal effects, and related shipments.

• Danish customs form "Declaration of Personal Property"
• Inventory in English
• Bill of lading (B/L) or air waybill (AWB); the shipper and consignee must be the same person on both the B/L and AWB
• Copy of the importer's passport identification pages
• Proof of minimum 12-month stay outside the EU (certification from an authority abroad, lease contract, or work contract)
• Proof of registration with Danish authorities: copy of the yellow health card (sundhedskort) or a letter from the local registration office (Folkeregister)
• For foreigners: copy of Danish work contract and lease contract in Denmark
• Detailed inventory listing brand, alcohol percentage, number, and size of each bottle if alcoholic beverages, tea, or coffee are included in the shipment
• Declaration from diplomatic organization (diplomats)

No customs formalities are required for household goods moving between EU member states, as goods retain their Union status.

Specific Information

Registration requirement: The owner must be registered as a resident with the Danish authorities (Folkeregister) before the arrival of the shipment. The CPR number (civil registration number) must be active; an administrative CPR number is not sufficient for customs clearance. The CPR becomes active only after the assignee visits the local registration office and registers in person.

Pre-arrival import: Goods may be imported up to 6 months ahead of the owner's arrival, subject to the owner providing a security deposit to the authorities for applicable duty, tax, and VAT payments.

Customs clearance timing: Customs clearance must take place immediately upon arrival of the goods.

Visitors and non-residents: Visitors and Danish citizens who do not reside in Denmark cannot import household goods free of duty.

Returning Danish diplomats: Do not receive customs exemptions or privileges. Their shipments are subject to normal customs regulations including payment of duties and taxes on restricted items.

Secondary residence: The duty-free import of household goods to a secondary residence in the EU is not permitted (since December 1, 2008).

Packed by owner (PBO) cartons: Avoid using terms like "Miscellaneous" or "PBO" on inventories. The contents of all PBO cartons must be declared on the inventory to facilitate customs clearance.

ISPM 15: All consignments entering the EU must comply with ISPM 15. All arriving solid wood packaging including dunnage must carry the ISPM 15 mark indicating appropriate treatment.

Currency: Danish krone (DKK). Denmark has not adopted the euro but pegs the krone closely to it. Approximately 1 EUR = 7.46 DKK.

Duties & Taxes

Duty-free conditions (non-EU origin): Household goods that have been owned and used for a minimum of 6 months, and are still intended for the owner's personal use, may be imported duty-free by any person taking up residence in Denmark or within the EU. The shipper must have had a residence outside the EU for a minimum of 12 months. Goods must be imported within 12 months of the owner's registration date in Denmark.

New items (non-EU origin): Subject to customs duty and VAT (currently 25%).

VAT rate: 25% (one of the highest in the EU).

Prohibited & Restricted Items

• Weapons, ammunition, and explosives — prohibited unless licensed by the Danish Ministry of Justice PERMIT REQUIRED
• Narcotics and controlled drugs — strictly prohibited
• Live, dead, and pre-manufactured parts of animals listed under the Washington Convention (CITES) — prohibited unless the Danish Nature Conservancy Board grants a license CITES
• Gold and silver in bars — prohibited for import and possession
• Meat and dairy products from non-EU countries (standard EU prohibition, with limited exceptions)

Alcohol (over 17 years):

• 1 litre of spirits exceeding 22% volume, or 2 litres of alcohol not exceeding 22% volume
• 4 litres of still wine
• 16 litres of beer

Tobacco (over 17 years, by air or sea):

• 200 cigarettes, or 100 cigarillos, or 50 cigars, or 250g smoking tobacco

Tobacco (over 17 years, by land):

• 40 cigarettes, or 20 cigarillos, or 10 cigars, or 50g smoking tobacco

This is a critical area for Denmark. Danish taxes on alcohol and tobacco are among the highest in Europe, and customs enforcement is strict. It is not advisable to include spirits in removals, due to the high taxes and strict control.

All quantities of wine, spirits, tea, coffee, and tobacco included in household goods shipments must be declared for personal consumption. A detailed inventory is required listing brand, alcohol percentage, number, and size of each bottle. Except for identical bottles, each bottle must be listed separately. Duty and tax will be assessed on what is declared, based on the kind, value, and quantity of each item. Estimates prior to import are not available. All quantities, whether in opened or unopened bottles, will be assessed taxes and duties. Larger quantities will be considered commercial import and may only be imported by licensed importers.

• Narcotics and medicines — authorization required PERMIT REQUIRED
• Firearms and ammunition — license from the Danish Ministry of Justice required, issued through the local police office; a shooting permit is also required PERMIT REQUIRED
• Live plants — license from the Danish Governmental Plant Protection Service required PERMIT REQUIRED
• Live, dead, and pre-manufactured animal parts — authorization and license from the Danish Nature Conservancy Board required PERMIT REQUIRED
• Food and tinned goods — generally not permitted from non-EU countries; contact the destination agent with detailed description for possible exceptions; food must have been in the shipper's possession for 6 months with proof of ownership, otherwise subject to duties and taxes; it is advisable not to bring in food or tinned goods, as it may delay customs clearance and result in extra expenses
• Precious metals — import and possession of gold and silver in bars is prohibited

Inheritances (except wine, spirits, and tobacco) may be imported duty-free within 2 years following the finalization of the estate. Documentation required: will or declaration issued and legalized by the lawyers handling the estate.

Duty-free, provided the shipper (if Danish) has resided abroad for at least 12 months. Goods must be imported within 4 months of the wedding. Maximum value EUR 1,000 per gift item. Danish residents cannot import wedding gifts free of duty and taxes.

Consignment Instructions

Contact the destination agent to ensure all requirements have been met prior to import, especially for differences regarding air/sea/road shipments.

CPR registration before shipment arrival: The shipper must have an active CPR number before customs clearance can begin. An administrative CPR number is not sufficient. This means the shipper should arrive in Denmark and register at the Folkeregister before the shipment arrives.

Inventory detail: Inventories must be in English. PBO cartons must have contents declared. Do not use "Miscellaneous" as a description. Alcohol, tea, coffee, and tobacco must be inventoried in full detail (brand, percentage, quantity, bottle size, each bottle listed separately unless identical).

Vehicle advice is critical: Given the extremely high registration tax, movers should proactively advise customers about the cost of importing a vehicle to Denmark. Many relocating employees choose to sell their vehicle before moving and purchase one in Denmark instead. A binding ruling from the Motor Vehicle Agency is strongly recommended before shipping any vehicle.

Alcohol advice: Due to Denmark's high excise taxes on alcohol and strict customs enforcement, it is advisable to avoid including spirits in removals. If alcohol is included, expect duty and tax assessments that may significantly exceed the value of the alcohol itself.

Security deposit for pre-arrival shipments: If goods arrive before the shipper (up to 6 months in advance), a security deposit covering duty, tax, and VAT must be provided.

Ports of entry: Copenhagen (primary port), Aarhus, and Aalborg. Air freight typically arrives at Copenhagen Airport (Kastrup).

Special territories: Greenland and the Faroe Islands are part of the Kingdom of Denmark but are NOT part of the EU. Different customs rules apply to shipments to/from these territories.