Moving to Denmark

Make a list

The first step is to decide whether or not you need to move your belongings with you. Here are some questions to help you decide:

• How long will you be living in Denmark? If it is just a temporary stay or part of an exchange at a Danish university, it might make more sense to rent a furnished apartment. 
• Have you already arranged accommodation? If your company is providing furnished accommodation, there is no need to move all of your belongings. If you haven't arranged accommodation yet, start by checking our articles about accommodation in Denmark. 
• Do you plan on renting a place of similar size, or are you able to scale back? Accommodation in Denmark is expensive in city centres; perhaps it won't be necessary to take all of your belongings with you. 
• What is the value of the items that you hope to take with you? Affordable furniture stores like IKEA make it easy to replace everyday objects. 

Once you have thought about accommodation options and your budget, draw up a list of the items that you would like to take with you. Add the value of the item (what it would cost to purchase new in Denmark) and make a note of items that might require special packaging (such as mirrors, glass items, art, etc.) 

Now that you have the approximate size and value for your move, it's time to get a quote from a moving company. 

Customs in Denmark

There are rules and restrictions on bringing household items into Denmark. Here are some customs regulations to keep in mind when planning your relocation to Denmark:

• Personal belongings can be brought in duty-free. However, they must have been owned and used for at least six months prior to your move. The belongings must be used in the same way once you arrive in Denmark. 
• Personal items must be kept for 12 months after importing and may not be pawned or rented out.
• Personal belongings include items such as household appliances, furniture, and bicycles. 
• Motor vehicles may be brought in without paying customs duties/vat if the vehicle has been used for six months and has more than 6,000km on the odometer. Foreign registrations certificates must be provided, and the owner must have proof that they have lived outside the EU for the last 12 months. 

Prohibited and restricted items in Denmark

The following goods are restricted and may be liable for tax even when the items are brought in as part of a household goods shipment:

• Firearms
• Alcohol and bottled beverages
• Tobacco
• Dry and canned food
• Inheritance items

It is best to check with a shipping agent about these items before bringing them into Denmark. Do you want to bring your pet to Denmark? Read our guide to moving with your pets.  

The following goods are prohibited in all cases: 

• Narcotics and illegal drugs
• Explosives, weapons, and ammunition
• Live or dead (e.g. furs, skins, horns, tusks, etc.) plants and animals without an import document
• Unapproved medicine
• Pornographic material

Get estimates for your move to Denmark

Many shipping companies will do a free survey of your goods in order to calculate approximate costs for your move to Denmark. It's a good idea to arrange a few of these surveys so that you can choose the company with the most competitive prices and quality services. Online quotations are often inaccurate and end up being more expensive. 

Here is some information that will be considered when calculating your move:

• Address of origin
• Destination address in Denmark
• Type of transportation required (shipments by air are faster but more expensive than shipment by ship and truck)
• Insurance coverage (insurance is quoted based on the value of your belongings, so make sure that you have given accurate value amounts!) 
• Need for special packaging/crates
• Volume and weight of your shipment

Remember to ask about the following:

• Are the costs for packaging materials (boxes, bubble wrap, tape, etc.) included?
• Are there any additional fees like destination port duties not included in the quotation?  
• Is delivery to the door included, or will the shipment only arrive at a port? 
• Will the moving company take care of all customs paperwork? 

 Good to know: 

Always ask for a written quotation and read the fine print carefully to avoid costly surprises! Use a FIDI approved moving company for peace of mind.