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Exporting from the UK to Denmark: A market guide

Overview

Denmark has a wealthy, educated and open economy, receptive to UK products and investments. The Danes are sophisticated buyers with a good reputation for paying suppliers on time.

Trade statistics

£8.5 billion total UK exports to Denmark for the four quarters to the end of Q1 2024

(Source: ONS UK total trade: all countries, seasonally adjusted
Last updated: July 2024)

25th largest UK export market

(Source: ONS UK total trade: all countries, seasonally adjusted
Last updated: July 2024)

1.0% of total UK exports for the four quarters to the end of Q1 2024

(Source: ONS UK total trade: all countries, seasonally adjusted
Last updated: July 2024)

Prosperous economy

Denmark is one of the EU’s best-performing economies and very open to international trade. It has low inflation, a healthy economic growth rate and low unemployment.

Gateway to Northern Europe

The country offers easy access to the Scandinavian and Baltic countries as well as the growing economies of Germany and Poland. It provides a gateway to northern European markets via Copenhagen airport and its high-quality motorway network.

Business environment

You'll find doing business is very similar to the UK. Denmark offers a supportive political and economic framework for business development, as well as local and foreign investments.

Top five UK goods exported to Denmark , in the four quarters to the end of Q2 2024

Goods Value (£ million )
Crude oil 263.1
Scientific instruments (capital) 249.3
Miscellaneous metal manufactures 126.1
Cars 118.8
Refined oil 105.5

Source: ONS Trade in goods: country-by-commodity exports
Last updated: September 2024
Download the latest trade and investment factsheet for Denmark.

Top five UK services exported to Denmark , in the four quarters to the end of Q1 2024

Service Value (£ billion )
Other Business Services 2.8
Telecommunications, computer and information services 0.8
Transportation 0.5
Financial 0.4
Travel 0.4

Source: ONS UK trade in services: service type by partner country, non-seasonally adjusted
Last updated: July 2024
Download the latest trade and investment factsheet for Denmark.

Denmark: at a glance

Economic growth

2.7%

Actual figure (IMF, 2022)
The UK is 4.1% (IMF, 2022, actual figure)

GDP per capita

$68,295

Actual figure (IMF, 2022)
The UK is $45,461 (IMF, 2022, projected figure)

Currency

Danish Krone

Business languages

English is widely spoken

Time zone

GMT+1

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Opportunities for exporters

Denmark has a prosperous economy and is a gateway to the Scandinavian markets for UK exporters. In 2019, it was the UK’s 23rd largest export market. Total UK exports in goods and services to Denmark amounted to £6.8 billion, which was an increase of 2.5 % or £164 million compared to 2018 (Office for National Statistics, 2019).

Check for trade barriers

Trade barriers, such as tariffs or taxes, can raise costs, cause delays, or even stop you from exporting. Check for any issues that may impact your business when exporting.

See current trade barriers

See resolved trade barriers

Check duties and customs

Find information on how to export goods from the UK. View the duties, rules, restrictions, and the documents you need for your products.

See current duties and customs procedures

Doing business in Denmark

Preparing to export

VAT

VAT is charged at 25% on all products and services.

You can get more information on taxation in Denmark from the Danish tax authority (SKAT) and on import duties from The Danish Customs Agency (Toldstyrelsen).

Standards and regulations

Products and packaging should meet EU standards.

The Danish Standards Agency is responsible for standards.

Services regulations

Information on rules for selling services and business travel to Denmark is available on gov.uk.

Operating in Denmark

Routes to market

The traditional routes to market for Denmark are direct exports, finding a distributor or wholesaler, or starting a joint venture.

Starting a business

Once you have a foothold in the market, you may consider establishing a Danish subsidiary. Registering a business in Denmark is quick and only takes 24 hours. The Danish Customs and Tax Administration (SKAT) provides valuable information on starting a business.

Intellectual property

Intellectual property (IP) rights are territorial and rights granted in the UK do not provide protection elsewhere. You should consider getting IP protection abroad if you want to trade overseas or sell to overseas customers via the internet.

The Intellectual Property Office provides practical information to help you protect, manage and enforce your IP abroad. Further support for British businesses can be found through a network of IP attachés, based in key UK export markets.

Payment terms

Payment is typically made after 30 days or the current month plus 30 days. Invoices are paid on time.

Next steps

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