Page History

08.04.2020

The Danish Customs Agency continues its work under the COVID-19 pandemic.
Import and export and transit of goods continue to take place. The Customs Agency is still
present at the borders, where we carry out customs clearance and customs controls.

Customs clearance offices continue to be open, but some have adapted their opening hours
due to changes in ferry routes and less passenger traffic.

Since 14 March 2020, the border has been closed for the entry of foreign nationals into
Denmark without a worthy purpose. The border closure does not apply to the import and
export of goods. Transport of goods are carried out as normal.

Staff are instructed to follow the advice of the health authorities in their working environment.
Information on how to protect themselves and the customs clients and other information is
regularly spread throughout the organization. Specific instructions have been issued for
customs officers in the frontline handling documents, carrying out control of passengers or
goods and checking means of transport. At the clearance offices the number of officers
present at the same time is kept to a minimum to enable staff to keep rules of distance.
Outside, posters in several languages advise persons, before entering, on how to respect
the rules on keeping distance, how many persons are allowed at a time inside,
recommendations on washing hands and using sanitizers etc. Presentation of documents in
an electronic form is encouraged wherever possible. Disposable gloves, hand sanitizers and
soap are used as protective means.

Since 12 March 2020, all Government officials have been asked to work from home, if their
physical presence is not required. This implies that many in the Customs Agency now work
from home via teleworking. Virtual meetings take place on a regular basis.

A crisis team has been established which monitors the situation. So far the Customs Agency
has not experienced any disruptions caused by shortage of personnel or by the changes due
to the different way of working that have not been overcome.

Information in English from the Danish Customs Agency can be found on the following
website
https://www.toldst.dk/corona-virus-information-and-customs-guidelines/

General information in English from the Danish authorities about coronavirus/covid-19 in
Denmark can be found on this website
https://politi.dk/en/coronavirus-in-denmark

Recommended quarantine for 14 days for everyone coming into the country

The Danish Government strongly advises travellers to stay at home for 14 days regardless of the status of the country of departure, duration of the stay abroad, and whether people are citizens, residents, or entering with a worthy purpose, possible exemptions e.g. for commuters

Start date: 14.03.2020

End date: 13.04.2020

Further information: https://politi.dk/en/coronavirus-in-denmark/if-you-are-travelling-to-and...

Entry restriction to non-Danish citizens (14.03.2020)

Travellers can enter Denmark if they are Danish citizens, residents in Denmark, transiting through Denmark or have a 'worthy purpose'. No restrictions to freight transport. Consult the website for further information (such as exemptions): https://politi.dk/en/coronavirus-in-denmark/if-you-are-travelling-to-and...

Start date: 14.03.2020

End date: 13.04.2020

01.07.2020

As from 1 July, new restrictions on the low emission zones on Denmark enter into force.

From 1 July 2020, vehicles above 3.5 tonnes (buses and lorries) which were registered on, or later than, 1 October 2009 in order to be allowed to drive within low emission zones in Denmark. Euro 5 or EEV heavy vehicles can also enter the low emission zones.

In case the foreign lorry or bus has been first registered before 1 October 2009, the vehicle must be registered in the Danish system again with documentation proving a retrofitted particulate filter and/or euronorm. It has been decided to discontinue the low emission permit; this means that a low emission permit will no longer be required and that driving in the zones will no longer be controlled by the low emission permit.

Registrations can be made here.

For vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes (vans) the vehicle must be registered on or later than 1 January 2007, in order to be allowed to drive within low emission zones.

During the first three months (from 1 July to 31 September), no fines will be imposed on vehicle owners based the automatic number plate recognition. Instead, they will be given a warning. The police can still impose fines for infringements.

Low emission zones are located in Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Aalborg, Odense and Aarhus ; further details can be found here.

Please note that further restrictions will apply from 1 January 2022.

More information can be found here.

Source: ITD

12.06.2020

On 12 June, the Danish authorities have informed of the opening of Padborg border crossing point from 13 June, from 07:00 to 23:00. Together with Frøslev/E45 and Sæd (both open 24 hours a day), the three can be used by trucks over 3.5 tonnes to cross the border. Members are advised that controls will be increased.

The “blue border” (ferry routes) can still be used and controls will be still carried out. The same applies for the Øresundsbridge between Denmark and Sweden.

Members are reminded that goods drivers are allowed to enter the country unless they show symptoms of Covid-19 virus. The full list of categories allowed to enter the country can be seen here.

Source: ITD

03.06.2020

Existing restrictions at Danish borders have been extended until further notice. However, some relaxations have been added to reflect the evolution of the pandemic. Persons with a “worthy purpose” (such as drivers) will be allowed to enter Denmark. Business travellers who enter Denmark as part of their jobs, with the purpose of attending meetings, etc., are now deemed to have a “worthy purpose” and can enter Denmark if such meetings, etc., cannot be postponed or held without their physical presence.

From 15 June, persons (tourists) permanently residing in Germany, Norway and Iceland will also be allowed entry if they can prove that they will stay a minimum of 6 nights in Denmark (outside Copenhagen). The rule does not apply to drivers. For persons residing in Sweden and Finland – a decision has not yet been reached.

More information can be seen here and here.

Source: ITD

23.04.2020

Restrictions at the Danish border have been extended until 11 May. Following the Easter weekend, nurseries and schools began to open and a limited number of professions have also resumed activity. The current limits on group gathering will also be progressively relaxed: from 10 May onwards, the current limit of 10 people will be raised to 500 until 1 September 2020.

Concerning ADR certificates for drivers, Denmark has signed the M324 multilateral agreement: driver training certificates expiring between 1 March and 1 November 2020 will remain valid until 30 November 2020.

In addition, despite section 6a (2), 1 of the Freight Forwarding Act, the exchange of drivers between companies with a Danish operating license for international freight transport is allowed, pursuant to section 1 (1) 1 of the Freight Transport Act. This applies until 28 April 2020.

STA-licenses (drivers of pilot cars for exceptional transport) that expire between 1 March and 30 April 2020 will have their validity extended until 31 August 2020. This will only apply to transport within the Danish borders.

Drivers who carry out international road transport and have an expired driver's certificate are advised by the Danish Road Authority to bring the certificate for international transport workers (Annex III from the Green Lane Guidelines). More information on the Danish Road Authority site can be found here.

Members should be aware that the driving and rest times relaxations have expired.

Source: DI, ITD, and DTL

07.04.2020

On 6 April, the Danish Prime Minister announced that restrictions in place at Danish borders will be extended until 10 May, inclusive; the period could be further extended depending on the circumstances. Goods and freight transport remains exempted.

Restrictions on social life currently in place (e.g. bans on events of more than 10 people) are also extended until the same date. Large gatherings are banned until the end of August.

Source: ITD

27.03.2020

Extension of a temporary exemption in the driving and rest time rules regarding weekly rest

From 13 March 2020 until 11 April 2020, all national freight transport in Denmark has been exempted from the rules on weekly rest.  As of 26 March 2020, the temporary exemption covers both international and national freight transport.

 More information here (in English) or here (in Danish).

Sources: DLT and DI Transport

25.03.2020

An order has been issued extending the validity of a number of driver licences and certificates in the transport sector.  The ban on exchanging drivers between companies has also been temporarily lifted. These measures have been put it place to prevent driver shortages. 

The validity of the following categories of licences and certificates that expire in the period between 1 March and 30 April 2020 will be extended to 31 August 2020:

·       Licence types:  C1, C1/E, C, C/E, D1, D1/E, D and D/E.

·       Driver training certificates issued pursuant to the Executive Order on Qualification Requirements for Certain Drivers of Vehicles in Road Transport.

·       Driver training certificates for the carriage of dangerous goods by road issued pursuant to the Order on the Carriage of Dangerous Goods.

·       Security Advisor Certificate issued pursuant to Executive Order on Security Advisors for the Transport of Dangerous Goods.

In addition, notwithstanding section 6a (2), 1 of the Freight Forwarding Act, the exchange of drivers between companies with an operating licence for international freight transport is allowed pursuant to section 1 (1). 1 of the Freight Transport Act. This applies until 30 March 2020.

Original article in Danish: http://dtl.eu/presserum/nyheder/2020/marts/sundhedsministeren-saetter-lempelser-i-kraft-for-vejtransport/

Source: DTL

22.03.2020

Danish Minister of Transport has announced that the temporary exemption for drivers' weekly rest has been extended by another 20 days and will therefore apply until 11 April (included).

The exemption only concerns national transport.

Measures lifted are the ones mentioned in Art. 8.6 of Reg. (EC) 561/2006; all other provisions apply.

Source: DI Transport

20.03.2020

The leading Danish transport and logistics associations have prepared a list of recommendations for the receipt and shipping of freight. The document contains recommendations for transport companies, professional drivers, consignors and consignees and is available in English, German and Polish.

Source: DTL