As a trade hub in Northern Europe, Denmark has growing trade with China. Whether it is a corporate importer or a cross-border e-commerce company, understanding the latest shipping costs and ways to optimize costs are the key to improving profits and competitiveness. This article will introduce the costs of shipping from China to Denmark in detail.

Shipping Cost Composition from China to Denmark
The cost of shipping goods from China to Denmark is mainly composed of the following parts:
- Freight: including sea freight, air freight, rail or truck freight.
- Tariffs and value-added tax (VAT): paid according to the category of goods and declared value.
- Port or airport fees: including loading and unloading fees, warehousing fees and terminal fees.
- Customs declaration and clearance fees: involving export and import customs declaration procedures and related service fees.
- Insurance costs: provide protection for goods in transit, usually calculated as a certain percentage of the value of the goods.
- Surcharges: such as fuel surcharges, peak season surcharges, emergency transportation surcharges, etc.
Shipping Cost from China to Denmark
The main modes of freight from China to Denmark include sea freight, air freight, and rail freight, and the costs and application scenarios of different modes are different.
Sea Freight Cost from China to Denmark
Sea freight is an economical and affordable mode of transportation for large quantities of goods or goods with less urgent delivery time. Sea transportation from China to Denmark usually takes longer, but is relatively cheap. When the goods are larger than 28 cubic meters, you can choose full container (FCL) transportation, and when the goods are less than 28 cubic meters, you can choose less than container (LCL) transportation, depending on the quantity of goods and your needs.
The cost of sea transportation from China to Denmark depends on the type of goods, mode of transportation (FCL or LCL). The following are common cost ranges:
POL (port of loading) | POD (port of discharge) | LCL shipping cost |
---|---|---|
Shanghai | Copenhagen | $85-$180 |
Shenzhen | Copenhagen | $85-$185 |
Qingdao | Copenhagen | $85-$175 |
Ningbo | Copenhagen | $85-$190 |
Shanghai | Aarhus | $80-$175 |
Shenzhen | Aarhus | $90-$180 |
Qingdao | Aarhus | $95-$185 |
Ningbo | Aarhus | $90-$185 |
Shanghai | Esbjerg | $90-$195 |
Shenzhen | Esbjerg | $85-$175 |
Qingdao | Esbjerg | $95-$185 |
Ningbo | Esbjerg | $90-$185 |
Cost of Shipping 20ft and 40ft Containers from China to Denmark
The shipping costs of 20ft and 40ft containers from China to Denmark depend on many factors. Here are the costs from different ports in China to different ports in Denmark:
POL (port of loading) | POD (port of discharge) | 20ft container cost | 40ft container cost |
---|---|---|---|
Shanghai | Copenhagen | $2050-$3350 | $3500-$5000 |
Shenzhen | Copenhagen | $2000-$3500 | $3450-$4950 |
Ningbo | Copenhagen | $2000-$3400 | $3650-$4850 |
Shanghai | Aarhus | $1950-$3450 | $3350-$4800 |
Shenzhen | Aarhus | $2000-$3300 | $3500-$5000 |
Ningbo | Aarhus | $2050-$3650 | $3450-$5050 |
Shanghai | Odense | $2100-$3500 | $3650-$4850 |
Shenzhen | Odense | $2000-$3400 | $3500-$4800 |
Ningbo | Odense | $2050-$3350 | $3750-$4950 |

Air Freight Cost from China to Denmark
Air freight is the fastest mode of transport and is suitable for goods that need to be delivered urgently. The cost of air freight from China to Denmark depends on the weight and volume of the shipment, flight availability, and airline policy. The average air freight cost can range from $5 to $10 per kilogram, depending on various factors.
Departure Airport (China) | Arrival Airport (Denmark) | Cost Range (USD/kg) |
Shanghai Pudong | Copenhagen Kastrup | $5.0 – $10.2 |
Guangzhou Baiyun | Copenhagen Kastrup | $5.3 – $9.7 |
Beijing Capital | Copenhagen Kastrup | $5.5 – $9.5 |
Shanghai Pudong | Billund | $5.7 – $10.0 |
Guangzhou Baiyun | Billund | $6.0 – $9.8 |
Beijing Capital | Billund | $5.3 – $10.0 |
Shanghai Pudong | Aalborg | $5.2 – $10.0 |
Guangzhou Baiyun | Aalborg | $6.2 – $10.2 |
Beijing Capital | Aalborg | $5.0 – $10.0 |
Rail Freight Cost from China to Denmark
China to Denmark rail freight service is an intermediate mode of transportation between air and sea transport, using railway lines such as the “China-Europe Express” to transport goods from inland China to Denmark, which is fast and economical. Rail transport is usually faster than sea transport, but cheaper than air transport, and is suitable for medium-sized goods.
Departure City(China) | Arrival City(Denmark) | Shipping cost |
---|---|---|
Zhengzhou | Padborg | $250 – $350 / ton |
Chongqing | Padborg | $260 – $340 / ton |
Wuhan | Padborg | $255 – $375 / ton |
Zhengzhou | Aarhus | $240 – $360 / ton |
Chongqing | Aarhus | $230 – $380 / ton |
Wuhan | Aarhus | $245 – $365 / ton |
Refer to the following shipping costs from China to other countries:
How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to the Netherlands?
How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to Germany?
How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to the UK?

Factors Affecting Shipping Costs from China to Denmark
The cost of shipping from China to Denmark is affected by a variety of factors:
- Mode of transport: Air is the fastest but most expensive, sea is the cheapest but slowest, and rail is in between.
- Cargo volume and weight: Freight is usually charged based on volumetric weight (CBM) or actual weight, whichever is greater.
- Port of departure and port of destination: The cost may vary from port to port, and the distance between ports is not the same.
- Seasonal factors: Freight rates may increase during peak seasons (such as before Christmas) when transportation demand is frequent.
- International oil prices and fuel surcharges: Fluctuations in oil prices will directly affect sea and air freight costs.
- Destination tariffs and VAT: Denmark has a high VAT, so costs need to be calculated in advance.
Impact of Import Taxes on Overall Shipping Costs
The Impact of Import Taxes on Your Shipping Costs to Denmark, Here’s a breakdown of the key tax types you need to consider:
Tax Type | Rate | Calculation Basis |
Value Added Tax (VAT) | 25% | Based on the CIF value (Cost, Insurance, and Freight) of goods |
Customs Duty | 0% – 14% | Depends on the HS code of the product |
Excise Duty | Varies | Specific to goods like alcohol or tobacco, calculated on quantity or volume |
In Denmark, the Value Added Tax (VAT) is a hefty 25% of your overall cost, calculated on the CIF value—covering the cost of the goods, insurance, and freight charges. Customs duties can range from 0% to 14% depending on the HS code of your product. And if you’re importing specialty items like alcohol, watch out for excise duties, which can add even more to your costs.
How to Reduce the Shipping Cost from China to Denmark?
Choose the right mode of transport
For large quantities of low-value goods, sea transport is the most cost-effective; for time-sensitive goods, rail or air transport can be selected.
Optimize packaging to reduce volume
Plan the packaging method reasonably to reduce volume weight, thereby reducing freight.
Combine freight
Collect or combine with other customers to improve loading efficiency and reduce unit transportation costs.
Avoid peak transportation season
If long-term transportation is required, you can book space in the off-season in advance to get lower prices.
Choose the right port
Different ports have different costs. Enterprises can choose the right destination port according to the logistics plan.
Cooperate with a stable freight forwarder
Long-term cooperation can obtain more favorable freight rates and better service support.
Choose Ubest Shipping to save costs and simplify your shipping process! Here are the best strategies to reduce costs and improve efficiency:
Strategic Advantages Consolidate freight optimization space and reduce unit shipping costs. Negotiate with suppliers to secure more favorable shipping rates and watch your costs drop! Use a verified freight forwarder to ensure reliable service while enjoying competitive prices. Choose the right shipping method to achieve the perfect balance between cost and delivery speed.