Ocean & Air Freight Shipping From the United States to Denmark

The United States and Demark have a shared commitment to innovation, helping both nations cultivate a strong and dynamic trade relationship. Both sides of the Atlantic have benefited from this partnership, which spans a range of industries, from technology to agriculture and renewable energy to pharmaceuticals. 

In 2022, the US exported $4.61 billion worth of goods to Denmark. The main products exported included crude petroleum, refined petroleum, planes, helicopters, and spacecraft. 

If you are involved in these industries or simply want to ship goods from the US to Denmark, we’ve got you covered. Here are your ocean and air freight shipping options and everything you need to know about the shipping process. 

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

You have two options for shipping freight from the US to Denmark: ocean freight and air freight. 

Ocean Freight From the United States to Denmark

Ocean freight is the cheapest and most flexible shipping option. It can accommodate any cargo you need to transport, and it even offers two options for container shipping so you can optimize your shipment: less-than-container load (LCL) and full-container load (FCL). 

LCL is used by those with small shipping needs. Here, their goods will be consolidated with cargo belonging to other shippers and shipped together in one container. Each shipper only needs to pay for the space their cargo occupies, making LCL a highly economical shipping option for small volumes of cargo. 

FCL is for those with larger shipping needs who warrant renting an entire container for their goods alone. This allows them more space, control, and security for their shipment. While more expensive than LCL, FCL boasts faster transit times. 

Air Freight from the United States to Denmark

The other way to ship cargo from the US to Denmark is via air freight. Hailed as the fastest mode of international transport, air freight can get your goods to their destination in a couple of days, making it ideal for time-sensitive and perishable cargo. 

Shippers of high-value goods also like air freight for its security. With stricter airport processes and regulations, shippers can guarantee the safety of their shipments during the process and transit. 

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

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

When it comes to your shipping costs, you need to consider the following factors to determine exactly how much you’ll need to pay: 

• 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 estimate your shipping costs, use our online freight costs calculator. The table below also shows the current cost of shipping a standard 20-foot container from the US to Denmark:

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

The transit time for goods shipped from the US to Denmark is mainly determined by your selected international shipping method. However, other influencing factors include:

• The season of shipment (peak or low season)
• Whether the shipment route is direct or not
• The trade lane's popularity
• Geopolitical instability
• Possible incidents at any port

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

Ocean freight from the US to Denmark takes between 15 to 50 days. 

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

If you ship by air, your cargo will arrive in Denmark in 2 to 8 days.

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

Customs Clearance in the United States and Denmark

Goods that arrive from the US to Denmark need to go through the customs clearance process. This will require the following documents from you: 

• 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

If you need examples of these customs clearance requirements, refer to our full documents list. 

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

Now, it’s time to choose whether to ship by sea or by air. When deciding on the best shipping option for you, consider your needs, priorities, and the requirements of your cargo. 

Ocean Freight

Ocean freight is right for shippers who value affordability and flexibility. It’s also great for those transporting unique cargo, as ocean freight can accommodate any type of goods. If you opt for ocean freight, choose the right container shipping option, LCL or FCL. 

Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping

LCL is best 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 more suitable for cargo that 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 you need to get your cargo to Denmark fast, then you should ship by air. Only taking 2-8 days, air freight is the fastest mode of international shipping. This makes it highly preferred by shippers for time-sensitive and perishable cargo. 

It’s also the most secure shipping option, with stricter airport regulations and processes helping guarantee cargo security. Shippers of high-value goods will appreciate this perk. 

Before finally settling with air freight, though, consider its cons. Air freight can get expensive, with shipping fees significantly higher than ocean freight. It’s also not as flexible, unable to accommodate all cargo types, and setting limits on your shipment's size, weight, and volume. 

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in the United States

Port of Long Beach

The Port of Long Beach is located in the state of California, in the US. It’s a major trade gateway ranked as the 21st busiest container port in the world. The port handles a wide range of cargo types, seeing over 9.13 million TEUs annually. 

Port of Houston

The Port of Houston is the busiest container port in the US by foreign waterborne tonnage. It is a driving force behind the Gulf Coast’s economic growth, handling over 247 million metric revenue tonnes of cargo per year. 

Port of Virginia

The Port of Virginia is located along the eastern coast of the US. It is the sixth-biggest port in the nation and can welcome the largest container vessels in the world. The port is famous for its efficient processes and modern infrastructure, enabling it to handle 3.7 million TEUs annually.

Cargo ports of arrival in Denmark

Port of Esbjerg

The Port of Esbjerg is an important cargo port for the oil and offshore drilling industry. It handles over 325,000 tonnes of coal per year and 204,000 tonnes of general cargo. It’s considered a well-equipped port that can handle diverse cargo types. 

Port of Odense

The Port of Odense is among the biggest ports in Denmark. Its major imports include fertilizers, grains, coal, cereals, gravel, paper, and petroleum products. Every year, it handles over 15,600 TEUs and 2 million tonnes of cargo.

Port of Fredericia

The Port of Fredericia has one of the largest cargo turnovers among all ports in Demark. It boasts specialized berths for handling grains, crude oil, dairy products, fertilizers, biofuels, gravel, LPG, and stones. Over 16,900,000 tonnes of cargo pass through the port per year. 

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

Airports of origin in the United States

Louisville International Airport

The Louisville International Airport is one of the most popular airports in the world in terms of both passengers and cargo. It handles over 2.3 million tonnes of cargo annually and is home to the UPS Worldport, which can process over 5 billion pounds of cargo, freight, and mail annually. 

Los Angeles International Airport 

Los Angeles International Airport is among the top five airports in the US in terms of total tonnage. It handles over 1.9 million tonnes of cargo per year, equivalent to the combined tonnage of cargo processed in the next five largest airports on the West Coast. 

John F. Kennedy International Airport

The John F. Kennedy International Airport is one of the leading international air cargo centers in the world. It contributes over $37.3 billion in annual economic activity to the metro region of New York and New Jersey. The port handles over 1.2 million tonnes of cargo every year. 

Airports of arrival in Denmark

Copenhagen Airport

The Copenhagen Airport serves Copenhagen, the capital city of Denmark. Its operations also extend to the regions of Zealand, Oresund, and southern Sweden. It is the largest airport in the Nordic countries. 

Billund Airport

The Billund Airport is one of the busiest air cargo centers in Denmark. It is located 1 nautical mile northeast of Billund and serves as a hub for cargo airlines, including DHL Aviation, Maersk Air Cargo, and Turkish Cargo.