Pet Transport from Denmark to the United States

Denmark, Sweden and Norway cover a nearly identical regulatory landscape for US-bound pets. All three countries are rabies-free, all three are outside the CDC high-risk classification, and all three use official government-authorised vets to issue export health certificates. The health outcomes for compliant pets are the same regardless of which Scandinavian country you depart from.

Where Denmark has a practical edge is in Copenhagen Airport’s connectivity. CPH has more direct transatlantic routes than either Stockholm Arlanda or Oslo Gardermoen, which means more options when booking cargo space for your pet. SAS, Norwegian Air Shuttle, and connections through major European hubs are all available from CPH.

One specific advantage for pets moving between Denmark and Sweden: the Oresund Bridge connects Copenhagen to Malmö, Sweden. If you need cargo facilities that are unavailable at one airport on a specific date, switching to the other is a real option for those living close to the border.

The Danish Food Administration (Fødevarestyrelsen) oversees the authorisation of vets to issue official export health certificates. To get a valid certificate for US travel, you need a vet who holds this specific Fødevarestyrelsen authorisation. Many large practices in Copenhagen, Aarhus, Odense and other Danish cities have at least one authorised vet, but call ahead to confirm rather than assuming.

The certificate must cover the microchip number, vaccination records including rabies, a health declaration, and owner details. It must be dated no more than 10 days before the pet’s arrival in the US. Calculate carefully: a direct Copenhagen to New York flight takes around 9 hours. Schedule the vet appointment for the day before departure or the morning of the flight to stay comfortably within the window.

The CDC Dog Import Form is separate from the health certificate and is the owner’s responsibility. You complete it on the CDC website (cdc.gov), print it, and carry it to the US port of entry. There is no submission or endorsement process; you simply present it at customs on arrival.

Unlike EU import certificates (which require USDA APHIS endorsement for the reverse journey), the Danish export certificate does not need a Danish government stamp beyond the vet’s own Fødevarestyrelsen authorisation. The vet’s signature and credentials constitute the official document.

SAS operates the widest range of direct services from Copenhagen (CPH) to the US, covering JFK, ORD (Chicago), LAX and IAD among others. SAS is also the airline most familiar with Scandinavian pet documentation requirements, which can make airport check-in smoother. Small pets in approved carriers can fly in the cabin on eligible SAS routes; larger dogs travel in the climate-controlled cargo hold.

Norwegian Air Shuttle and Lufthansa (via Frankfurt) offer cargo options for pets departing from CPH. Norwegian is cargo-only for transatlantic pets. Lufthansa’s connection through FRA adds a transit step, which requires careful coordination if you are accompanying your pet on the same journey.

On arrival at a US airport, your pet will be inspected at the port of entry. For dogs from non-high-risk countries with complete documentation, this is generally brief. The customs officer will check the CDC Dog Import Form, the health certificate, and scan the microchip. Your dog is not removed for quarantine. You collect the dog at the same time as your baggage.

Budget USD 800-1,800 for air cargo, DKK 1,000-3,000 for the health certificate, and factor in USD 100-200 for cabin fees if your small pet is flying in the cabin. A professional agent runs USD 400-900 and handles bookings, paperwork submission, and customs coordination on your behalf.