Ocean & Air Freight Shipping From Denmark to the US

Denmark and the US have a strong trade relationship. Both leaders in innovation and technology, their trade partnership showcases a dynamic and robust exchange of goods and services. Danish wind technology, in particular, plays a vital role in the US renewable energy sector, prompting a strong collaboration between American tech giants and Danish companies. 

In 2022, Denmark exported a whopping $13.1 billion worth of goods to the US. The largest exports included packaged medicaments, vaccines, blood, antisera, toxins, and cultures, and medical instruments. 

If you need to ship goods from Denmark to the US, this article will help you learn about your ocean and air freight shipping options. 

What Are the Options for Shipping Freight From Denmark to the United States?

You can ship goods from Denmark to the US using ocean freight or air freight. 

Ocean Freight From Denmark to the United States

Ocean freight is the cheapest and most flexible way to ship goods from Denmark to the US. It offers shippers two options for container shipping: less-than-container load (LCL) and full container load (FCL). This versatility allows shippers to optimize their shipments to suit their budgets and cargo requirements. 

LCL is used by those with small shipments. It involves the consolidation process, where cargo belonging to different shippers is consolidated and transported in one container. This means each shipper only has to pay for the space their goods occupy, making it a highly economical choice for small shipping needs. 

FCL is for those with larger shipments. They rent the space in an entire container for their goods alone, giving them more space, control, and security for their cargo. While more costly than LCL, this can provide good value for money if the space inside the container is maximized. 

Air Freight from Denmark to the United States

The other way to ship goods from Denmark to the US is by air. This is the fastest method, only taking a couple of days to complete. It’s the best for time-sensitive or perishable shipments. 

If you ship high-value goods, you’ll also appreciate air freight's heightened security. With stricter airport processes and regulations, the safety of your cargo during transit is more guaranteed.

However, air freight is significantly more expensive than ocean freight. It’s also less flexible, unable to accommodate goods of all types, sizes, weights, and volumes. 

How Much Does it Cost to Ship Cargo From Denmark to the United States?

The cost to ship cargo from Denmark to the US will depend on the following factors: 

• Your choice of ocean or air shipping
• Your preference for door-to-door, port-to-port, port-to-door, or door-to-port shipment
• Your consignment’s weight, volume, and size
• Weight and size limits

To determine your shipping costs, use our online freight costs calculator. Additionally, you can find the current cost of shipping a standard 20-foot container from Denmark to the US in the table below:

How long does it take to ship cargo from Denmark to the United States?

Shipping goods from Denmark to the US varies in transit time, primarily based on your international shipping mode. Additional factors impacting this include:

• The shipping season (peak or low)
• The directness of the shipment's route
• The popularity of the trade lane
• Geopolitical issues
• Potential incidents at ports

How long does it take to ship cargo by sea from Denmark to the United States?

Ocean freight from Denmark to the US will take around 15-50 days. 

How long does it take to ship cargo by air from Denmark to the United States?

Air freight is a much faster way to get goods from Denmark to the US, taking around 2-8 days. 

For the most accurate estimate, we recommend using our transit time calculator.

Customs Clearance in Denmark and the United States

When your goods land in a US port or airport, they will be subject to the customs clearance process. This requires that you have the following documents ready: 

• A commercial invoice
• A packing list
• A certificate of origin
• A letter of credit or other payment terms (depending on the contract between the parties involved)
• A bill of lading for ocean freight or an Airway Bill for air freight

For a full list of these documents with examples, check out our full documents list. 

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

Now, it’s time to decide whether to ship via ocean or air freight. Which mode of shipping you choose should heavily consider your needs, priorities, and cargo requirements. 

Ocean Freight

You should choose ocean freight if you value cost efficiency and flexibility. It can ship any type of cargo you need to get to the US and even offers you two options for container shipping so you can optimize your shipping costs. 

Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping

LCL is suitable for cargo that is: 

• Small in size and quantity
• Lightweight
• Suitable for consolidation with cargo belonging to other shippers 
• Not delicate, fragile, or high-value 
• Not requiring special handling or movement 

Considerations for FCL Freight Shipping

FCL is better if your cargo is: 

• Large in size and quantity 
• Heavy or overweight
• Not suitable for consolidation with cargo belonging to other shippers 
• Delicate, fragile, or high-value 
• Requiring special handling or movement 

Air Freight

If speed is your priority, then you should absolutely ship by air. Air freight only takes 2-8 days to complete a shipment from Denmark to the US, making it highly suitable for time-sensitive and perishable cargo. It’s also the most secure, guaranteeing the safety of high-value cargo during transit, thanks to its strict processes and regulations. 

One thing to note, however, is the cost of air freight. It’s significantly more expensive than ocean freight, which requires that you assess your budget accordingly. It’s also not as flexible, unable to ship all types of goods and putting limits on your cargo’s size, weight, and volume. 

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in Denmark

Port of Aarhus

The Port of Aarhus is Denmark's biggest and busiest container port, handling 60% of the nation’s container traffic. It’s also the only port in the country that can accommodate the world’s largest container ships. The port handles over 11.2 million tonnes of cargo and 400,000 TEUs annually. 

Port of Copenhagen

The Port of Copenhagen was merged with the Malmo Port to create the Copenhagen Malmo Port. It handles consumer goods, vehicles, building materials, and miscellaneous cargo. It welcomes over 8,000 ships per year, carrying 15 million tonnes of cargo and 194,000 TEUs.

Port of Grenaa

The Port of Grenaa is the prime port for the export of grains, seeds, paper, and stone. It’s operational all year round and boasts a natural harbor divided into six basins. The port handles over 1.4 million tonnes of cargo and 60,500 TEUs per year. 

Cargo ports of arrival in the United States

Port of Savannah

The Port of Savannah houses the largest single-terminal container facility in North America. It handles over 4.35 million TEUs per year and specializes in heavyweight goods such as machinery, automobiles, and agricultural products. 

Port of Seattle-Tacoma

The Port of Seattle-Tacoma is located in the state of Washington, US. One of North America’s largest container ports, it handles over 4 million TEUs per year and is a diverse hub for goods, including agricultural products, automobiles, and containerized cargo. 

Port of Oakland

The Port of Oakland is a major seaport located in the San Francisco Bay Area in the US state of California. It’s one of the busiest ports in North America, handling over 2.5 million TEUs of cargo per year. The port serves mainly as a key hub for technology products. 

Air Freight from Denmark to the United States: An airport guide

Airports of origin in Denmark

Aalborg Airport

The Aalborg Airport is a dual-use airport located in Nørresundby, Aalborg Municipality in Denmark. It is approximately 3.5 nautical miles northwest of Aalborg and serves as a hub for North Flying, Great Dane Airlines, and Sky Greenland. 

Copenhagen Airport

The Copenhagen Airport serves Copenhagen, which is the capital city of Denmark. It also serves the regions of Zealand, Øresund, and southern Sweden. The airport is the largest in the Nordic countries, serving as an operating base for Jettime, Norwegian Air Shuttle, and Sunclass Airlines.

Billund Airport

The Billund Airport is one of Denmark’s busiest air cargo centers, serving as a hub for DHL Aviation, Maersk Air Cargo, and Turkish Cargo. It has the capacity to handle millions of pounds of cargo and is located 1 nautical mile northeast of Billund. 

Airports of arrival in the United States

Los Angeles International Airport 

The Los Angeles International Airport is a principal international gateway on the West Coast. It’s regularly among the top five cargo airports in the US in terms of total tonnage. The airport handles over 1.9 million tonnes of cargo per year in its 20 dedicated cargo facilities. 

Chicago O’Hare International Airport 

The Chicago O’Hare International Airport is a global gateway for air cargo, handling over 1.5 million tonnes of cargo per year. It generates $173 billion in imports and exports annually. The airport boasts four airside cargo facilities and two landside cargo facilities. 

John F. Kennedy International Airport 

The John F. Kennedy International Airport is one of the world's leading international air cargo centers, handling over 1.2 million tonnes of cargo per year. It maintains 20 cargo facilities, most of which have cold storage capabilities for various commodities.