Shipping to and from the United States

Shipping between Denmark and the United States by sea or air

Shipping to and from the U.S. is primarily handled via ocean freight or air freight, depending on the type of cargo, volume, delivery requirements, and budget. Ocean freight is suitable for larger volumes, containerized cargo, and less time-sensitive shipments, while air freight is used when delivery time is more important than cost-effectiveness.

As a freight forwarder, Nordcarrier coordinates the Nordcarrier process—from booking and pickup to documentation, customs clearance, and delivery. You’ll have a single point of contact, even if the shipment involves multiple stages, terminals, airlines, shipping lines, and local partners.

Nordcarrier & Sea A/S has its own IATA number and direct access to airlines. For air freight, we work through the Pangea Network and other independent networks, enabling us to handle both imports and exports with local coordination in the U.S. and a dedicated Danish contact at Nordcarrier.

Not sure whether sea freight or air freight is best for your shipment to the U.S.? Contact Nordcarrier a detailed assessment of the route, cargo type, and documentation requirements.

Ocean freight to and from the U.S.: FCL, LCL, and special equipment

Søfragt til og fra USA er det oplagte valg, når du sender større mængder gods, hele containere eller varer, hvor transittiden ikke er den afgørende faktor. Nordcarrier håndterer både FCL og LCL, så løsningen kan tilpasses volumen, godsprofil og leveringssted.

FCL or LCL to the U.S.

FCL stands for Full Container Load and gives you exclusive use of a container. LCL stands for Less than Container Load and is used when your cargo is consolidated with other shipments in the same container.

Shipments exceeding approximately 15 m³ are typically best suited for FCL, while smaller shipments are often better suited for LCL. The final decision depends on the shipment details, delivery location, Incoterms, and handling requirements.

Container types for ocean freight to the United States

• 20-foot and 40-foot dry containers: The standard solution for general cargo, pallets, and boxes.
• 40-foot High Cube: Extra interior height for bulky cargo.
• Reefer: A temperature-controlled container for goods with specific temperature requirements.
• Flat Rack: Used for cargo that is oversized, over-height, or consists of heavy machinery.
• Open Top: Suitable when cargo needs to be loaded from above.
• Platform: For project cargo and special loads where standard container solutions are insufficient.

For sea freight, a Bill of Lading is issued as the primary transport document. Nordcarrier ensure that the documents match the commercial invoice, packing list, description of goods, and the agreed Incoterms 2020.

Air freight to and from the U.S. when time is of the essence

Air freight to and from the U.S. is used when goods need to arrive faster than sea freight can deliver. This applies in particular to spare parts, production-critical components, samples, high-value goods, temperature-controlled cargo, and shipments with strict deadlines.

Nordcarrier & Sea A/S handles standard air freight, express shipments, consolidation, charter services, and courier services. The actual transit time is confirmed in the quote, as it depends on the destination, capacity, service options, customs regulations, and pickup and delivery arrangements.

Ved farligt gods følger luftfragt IATA-DGR-reglerne. Nordcarrier koordinerer dokumentation, klassificering og praktiske krav, så farligt gods, temperaturkontrollerede varer og oversize-forsendelser håndteres korrekt fra start.

Do you need to prioritize a shipment to the U.S.? Contact us with the dimensions, weight, type of cargo, and delivery requirements, and we’ll assess the right air freight solution for you.

Imports from the United States to Denmark

Importing goods from the U.S. to Denmark requires proper coordination between the shipper, the U.S. exporter, the carrier, customs clearance, and the Danish recipient. Nordcarrier the process so you don’t have to coordinate each step separately.

This must be in order at the time of import

• Commercial invoice: Must include the seller, buyer, description of goods, value, currency, and terms of delivery.
• Packing list: Must match the package, dimensions, weight, and contents.
• HS codes: Used for customs classification and proper processing upon import.
• Incoterms 2020: Define the allocation of liability, risk, and costs between the buyer and the seller.
• Shipping document: Bill of Lading for sea freight and Air Waybill for air freight.
• Special permits: May be required for regulated goods, hazardous materials, food products, medical devices, or technical equipment.

Nordcarrier advise you on what information to obtain from the supplier in the U.S. before booking the shipment. This reduces the risk of documentation errors, delays in the customs process, and additional handling.

For companies with recurring imports, Nordcarrier can Nordcarrier the booking process to include online booking, EDI transfer, and system integration. This results in a more consistent data foundation and fewer manual steps in the order process.

Exports from Denmark to the United States

Exporting from Denmark to the U.S. requires clear agreements regarding pickup, export documents, mode of transport, U.S. import procedures, and delivery terms. Nordcarrier the export process so that both the shipper and the recipient know what information needs to be provided and when.

1. Please provide the shipping details, type of goods, package dimensions, weight, pickup address, delivery address, and desired service.
2. Nordcarrier whether sea freight, air freight, or a combined solution is best suited for the task.
3. Documents are reviewed, including the commercial invoice, packing list, Incoterms 2020, and any certificates.
4. The shipment is booked with the appropriate shipping line, airline, or courier service.
5. The cargo is picked up, consolidated, or prepared according to the selected mode of transport.
6. Shipping documents are issued, such as a Bill of Lading or an Air Waybill.
7. Customs clearance and local coordination in the U.S. are handled according to the agreed-upon process.

When exporting, it is important that the product description is precise. General terms create uncertainty during customs clearance, while specific descriptions, correct HS codes, and clear Incoterms make the process more reliable.

Nordcarrier exclusively with business customers and is experienced in handling B2B shipments that require documentation, delivery verification, and direct communication. You’ll be speaking with people who have the authority and mandate to find a solution.

Customs, Documentation, and Incoterms for Shipping to and from the U.S.

Customs and documentation are critical when shipping to and from the U.S., because errors in product data, value, origin, or delivery terms can halt the shipment. Nordcarrier ensure that transport documents and customs information are consistent before the goods are shipped.

Incoterms must be chosen carefully. EXW, FCA, FOB, CIF, DAP, and DDP assign responsibility differently, and the chosen term affects document flow, insurance, customs clearance, and practical coordination with the recipient in the U.S.

Do you need help with customs valuation, Incoterms, or documentation for shipments to the U.S.? Contact Nordcarrier, and we’ll review the requirements before booking your shipment.

Why choose Nordcarrier shipping to the U.S.?

Nordcarrier er et dansk, partner-ejet transport- og speditionsfirma med 20 års erfaring og specialiserede selskaber inden for vejfragt, luftfragt og søfragt. For dig betyder det korte beslutningsveje, direkte adgang til erfarne specialister og én samlet indgang til internationale forsendelser.

• Personal contact: You will be assigned a dedicated contact person who is familiar with your project and can coordinate across different modes of transportation.
• Partner-owned structure: Sales and department managers are co-owners, which ensures quick decision-making and accountability close to the customer.
• Global air and sea freight: Nordcarrier & Sea A/S handles door-to-door shipments via the Pangea Network and other independent networks.
• Dedicated IATA number: Direct access to airlines enhances air freight capabilities to and from the United States.
• System Integration: Online booking, API, and EDI integration can be customized for businesses with recurring shipments.
• 24/7/365 operations center: Time-sensitive situations can be handled outside normal business hours.
• Certified management systems: ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 27001 support quality, environmental management, and information security.

Nordcarrier har desuden 400+ biler i kombineret flåde og fast bilnetværk, 150 daglige rundture i Danmark og 300+ godkendte, faste biler internationalt. Det giver stærk kapacitet til for- og eftertransport i Danmark og Europa, når USA-forsendelser skal kobles effektivt til vejnettet.

Frequently Asked Questions About Shipping to and from the United States

Get a specific quote for shipping to and from the U.S.

Nordcarrier sea freight, air freight, customs clearance, documentation, and personalized coordination into a single solution for Danish B2B companies. Contact Nordcarrier details about your cargo, route, dimensions, weight, Incoterms, and desired service, and you’ll receive a customized quote tailored to your shipment to the U.S.—with a dedicated contact person and 24/7/365 availability whenever the job requires it.