Pet Transport from Denmark to the United States

Moving a dog or cat from Denmark to United States is very doable with the right preparation. Expect about 2-4 weeks. Nothing here is unusually complex, but the deadlines matter. There is no routine …

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2-4

Weeks lead time needed

Start this early minimum

None

Quarantine on arrival

Medium

Route complexity

Airlines on this route

Lead time needed

2-4 weeks

Quarantine

None

Route complexity

Medium

Airlines

3 carriers on this route

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In short: Preparing to move a pet from Denmark to United States typically takes around 2-4 weeks. There is no routine quarantine on arrival for compliant pets. A rabies titre test is not required.

Regulations checked June 2026

Prepared and reviewed by Marcus Webb, Senior Pet Relocation Consultant

Step by step

The Denmark to United States import process

Immediately

Confirm ISO microchip and current rabies vaccination in pet passport or records

Responsible: Owner and vet

Before travel; can be completed any time in advance

Complete CDC Dog Import Form online at cdc.gov

Responsible: Owner

Appointment within 10 days of US arrival date

Book Fødevarestyrelsen-authorised vet for health certificate

Responsible: Owner

At least 4 weeks before departure

Confirm airline pet booking

Responsible: Owner or agent

Requirements

United States entry requirements

Every item below must be in place before your pet can enter. We verify and track each one.

Microchip

ISO 11784/11785 microchip required

Rabies vaccination

Valid rabies vaccination required

Rabies titre test

Not required. Denmark is not a CDC high-risk country for dog rabies

Quarantine

No quarantine for compliant pets

Import permit

No import permit required

Health certificate

Official Fødevarestyrelsen-endorsed certificate; CDC Dog Import Form completed by owner

Leaving Denmark

Export requirements

Export permit

No export permit required

Health certificate

Official health certificate issued by Fødevarestyrelsen (Danish Food Administration) authorised veterinarian

Costs

What this route typically costs

Health certificate from Fødevarestyrelsen vet: DKK 1,000-3,000

Air cargo Denmark to US: USD 800-1,800 depending on pet size

Airline cabin fee (small pets): USD 100-200 each way

Professional relocation agent: USD 400-900 (optional)

Critical points

A dog must be at least six months old on the day it enters the United States, whatever country it comes from. There is no exception for a well-documented puppy, so a litter move has to wait. The microchip rule sits alongside it: the chip must be implanted before the rabies vaccination, or the CDC treats that vaccination as invalid. Source: CDC, cdc.gov/importation/dogs, read 2026-09-02.

CDC Dog Import Form must be completed and brought to the US port of entry. It cannot be completed on arrival.

The health certificate must be issued within 10 days of the pet's arrival (not departure) in the US.

Copenhagen Airport (CPH) has more US connections than other Scandinavian hubs, but airline cargo capacity for pets is still capped.

Snub-nosed breeds face cargo restrictions on many transatlantic routes in summer.

Airlines

Approved carriers on this route

Airline	Notes	Type
SAS (Scandinavian Airlines)	CPH to JFK, ORD, LAX, IAD and other US gateways. In-cabin for small pets; cargo for larger dogs.	Mixed
Norwegian Air Shuttle	CPH to various US cities. Transatlantic routes: cargo only.	Cargo Only
Lufthansa (via Frankfurt)	CPH to US via FRA. Cargo only on Atlantic leg.	Cargo Only

What United States requires

The path into United States is straightforward to follow once you know the steps. Give the time-sensitive items priority and check the details below.

Avoiding the common mistakes

If this is your first international move, consider an IPATA-registered pet transport agent. They handle the documents, airline booking and crate sizing, and can troubleshoot problems.

Get your pet used to the travel crate weeks in advance. A calm, crate-familiar animal travels far better than one meeting the crate for the first time at the airport.

Confirm live animal acceptance on every flight segment before booking. Not all aircraft or connections take pets, and cargo terms can differ leg to leg.

Keep every original document together and take copies. Border officials want originals, and a missing signature or date can hold up clearance.

FAQ

Common questions about this route

No. Denmark is not a CDC high-risk country for dog rabies, so no FAVN titre test is required. A valid rabies vaccination and official health certificate from a Fødevarestyrelsen-authorised vet are sufficient.

A veterinarian authorised by Fødevarestyrelsen (the Danish Food Administration). Not all private vets hold this authorisation. Confirm with the practice before booking.

They are separate documents. The health certificate is issued by your vet. The CDC Dog Import Form is completed by you as the owner on the CDC website before travel and presented at US customs on arrival.

The US has no federal import requirements for cats from Denmark. Your airline will have its own requirements (typically a health certificate and vaccination records), so check airline-specific rules.

At least four weeks in advance is recommended, and preferably six weeks during peak travel periods (summer, Christmas). Transatlantic pet cargo spaces are limited on all airlines.

Airline guides

SAS (Scandinavian Airlines)
Norwegian Air Shuttle
Lufthansa (via Frankfurt)

Breed guides

Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.

Browse all breed guides →

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Sources

Requirements on this page were checked against the authorities below. Rules change, so confirm current conditions with the relevant authority before you travel.

USDA APHIS · United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
CDC · United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, dog import rules