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Pet Transport USA to Denmark: The 2026 Guide

Shipping a dog or cat from United States to Denmark rewards owners who start planning early. Preparation is relatively light here, so plan on about 2-4 weeks to be comfortable. …

2-4 wks
Preparation needed
None
Quarantine on arrival
Low
Route complexity
Managed
Full door to door
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Lead time needed
2-4 weeks
Quarantine
None
Route complexity
Low
Airlines
4 carriers on this route
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What's required
MicrochipISO 11784/11785 microchip required, …
Rabies vaccinationValid and current rabies vaccination …
Rabies titre testNot required. The USA is listed under EU …
QuarantineNo quarantine required for dogs and cats …
Import permitNo import permit required for personal …
Health certificateEU Annex IV health certificate, …
In short: Preparing to move a pet from United States to Denmark 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
Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team
Step by step

The import process, in full

1
At the start of the planning process.
Check microchip status. Confirm with your vet that the chip is ISO 11784/11785 compliant and that it was implanted before the first rabies vaccination.

Responsible: Your vet

2
Several weeks before the health certificate appointment.
Ensure rabies vaccination is current. If the booster is due soon, schedule it with enough lead time before the health certificate appointment.

Responsible: Your vet

3
Within 10 days of the pet's scheduled arrival in Denmark.
Book a USDA-accredited vet for the health certificate. Confirm they use the EU Annex IV format and can submit to USDA APHIS.

Responsible: USDA-accredited vet

4
Immediately after the vet appointment.
USDA APHIS endorses the certificate. Mail submission takes two to five business days. Electronic VEHCS submission is faster if the vet offers it.

Responsible: USDA APHIS

5
Several weeks before travel.
Book cargo space on SAS, Delta, or your chosen airline. Copenhagen is well-served from US gateways.

Responsible: You

6
Travel day.
Travel to Copenhagen. Copenhagen Airport's cargo facility handles pet arrivals from non-EU countries through the Veterinary Border Inspection Post.

Responsible: You and airline

Checklist

What your pet needs

Every item below must be completed and verified before your pet can travel. Expand each category for the detail.

Microchip
ISO 11784/11785 microchip required, implanted before first rabies vaccination. Source: European Commission Regulation (EU) 576/2013.
Rabies vaccination
Valid and current rabies vaccination required. Minimum age at first vaccination is 12 weeks.
Rabies titre test
Not required. The USA is listed under EU pet travel regulations as an approved third country. Source: European Commission, food.ec.europa.eu/animals/movement-pets_en.
Quarantine
No quarantine required for dogs and cats from the USA arriving in Denmark with correct documentation.
Import permit
No import permit required for personal pets from the USA entering Denmark.
Health certificate
EU Annex IV health certificate, USDA-endorsed, dated within 10 days of arrival.
Export permit
No US export permit required for dogs and cats. The USDA-endorsed health certificate covers departure.
Health certificate
Completed by a USDA-accredited veterinarian in EU Annex IV format and endorsed by USDA APHIS Veterinary Services. Must be endorsed within 10 days of the pet's scheduled arrival in Denmark. Source: USDA APHIS, aphis.usda.gov/pet-travel.
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Airlines

Carriers on this route

Not all airlines accept live animals on this route. Confirm the operating carrier's current policy for every flight segment.

SAS Scandinavian Airlines
SAS operates from multiple US gateways including New York (JFK), Chicago (ORD), and Los Angeles (LAX) to Copenhagen Airport (CPH). Pets travel as manifested cargo. No cabin pets on transatlantic routes. Good infrastructure for pet cargo at CPH. Brachycephalic breed restrictions apply.
Cargo Only
Delta Air Lines
Delta has direct services from Atlanta (ATL) and Minneapolis (MSP) to Copenhagen. Delta Cargo accepts pets on transatlantic routes. Seasonal heat and cold restrictions apply. Confirm breed eligibility before booking.
Cargo Only
United Airlines
United Cargo from EWR and other gateways to Copenhagen, often with a European hub connection. Confirm that the connecting routing accepts pet cargo throughout.
Cargo Only
Lufthansa Cargo
Via Frankfurt (FRA) or Munich (MUC) to Copenhagen. Useful for pets originating from mid-western or southern US cities with stronger Lufthansa connectivity. Brachycephalic restrictions apply.
Cargo Only
Costs

What this route typically costs

USDA-accredited vet health certificate: USD 100 to USD 300
USDA APHIS endorsement: USD 38 per certificate
International pet cargo (USA to Copenhagen): USD 600 to USD 1,800
IATA-compliant travel crate: USD 80 to USD 350 if needed
Total typical range: USD 820 to USD 2,500

Critical points

Denmark has a Dangerous Dogs Act that bans 13 specific breed types, including American Staffordshire Terriers, Pitbull Terrier types, and Tosa Inu. Before travelling, confirm your dog's breed is not on Denmark's prohibited list (Bekendtgørelse nr. 454 af 20/04/2020). Source: Danish Veterinary and Food Administration.

The health certificate validity runs from the date of the vet examination to arrival in Denmark, not from US departure. A direct transatlantic flight generally fits comfortably within the 10-day window.

SAS Scandinavian Airlines and other transatlantic carriers apply brachycephalic breed restrictions. Confirm your breed is accepted before booking cargo space.

Denmark requires dogs to be registered in the Danish Dog Register (Hundregistret) within 14 days of arrival. This is a post-arrival task, not a pre-travel requirement.

Denmark entry requirements at a glance

The requirements for Denmark are light, but not zero. A little planning goes a long way on a route like this.

Getting the details right

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.

Work backwards from your travel date and add a buffer. Fixed waiting periods mean a single slipped appointment can push the whole move back by weeks.

FAQ

Common questions

Yes. Denmark bans 13 specific dog types under Bekendtgørelse nr. 454 af 20/04/2020, including Pitbull Terrier types, American Staffordshire Terriers, and Tosa Inu. Before starting the pet move process, confirm your dog’s breed is not on Denmark’s prohibited list. Cats are not subject to breed restrictions. Source: Danish Veterinary and Food Administration (Fødevarestyrelsen).
No. The USA is listed under EU pet travel regulations as an approved third country, meaning dogs and cats from the USA do not need a rabies antibody titre test to enter Denmark. You need a valid microchip, current rabies vaccination, and a USDA-APHIS endorsed health certificate in EU Annex IV format.
Your pet clears the Veterinary Border Inspection Post (BIP) at Copenhagen Airport (CPH). Border vets check the health certificate, microchip, and vaccination records. For dogs and cats from the USA with correct documentation, this is typically a document review rather than a lengthy inspection. Allow extra time at the airport on arrival day for collection from the cargo facility.
Yes. Dogs in Denmark must be registered in the Danish Dog Register (Hundregistret) within 14 days of arriving in the country. This is handled after arrival, not before travel. The registration costs a small fee and can be done online. Dogs must also be microchipped, which is already a requirement for the international travel documents.
SAS Scandinavian Airlines has direct services from JFK, ORD, and LAX to Copenhagen (CPH). Delta flies direct from Atlanta (ATL). Lufthansa routes via Frankfurt and Munich are another option. All accept pets as manifested cargo on transatlantic routes. No transatlantic carriers currently allow pets in the passenger cabin.
USDA APHIS maintains a searchable database of accredited veterinarians at aphis.usda.gov. Search by state and zip code to find an accredited vet near you. Not all veterinary practices hold USDA accreditation, so confirm before booking. The accredited vet completes the EU Annex IV health certificate and submits to USDA APHIS for endorsement.
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Airline guides
  • SAS Scandinavian Airlines
  • Delta Air Lines
  • United Airlines
  • Lufthansa Cargo
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