Approval of Means of Transport

Vehicles, containers and ship need to be approved for animal transport, when you transport mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians or fish, in connection with an economic activity. Whether they need to be approved depends on the means of transport, the distance or time the animals are transported and the species of the animals.

Approval of vehicles and containers

Vehicles and trailers can be approved for short journeys of maximum 8 hours and for long journeys exceeding 8 hours.

  1. Approval of the vehicle for long journeys. The vehicle needs an approval for long journeys when you transport mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians or fish, in connection with an economic activity and the journey time exceeds eight hours. 
  2. Approval of the vehicle for short journeys. When you transport horses, cattle, calves, pig 40 kg or heavier, goats, sheep and lambs inside Denmark, you also need an approval of the vehicle for journeys of maximum eight hours.
  3. Approval of containers. Containers need to be approved for animal transport, if you transport horses, cattle, sheep, goats or pigs, on journeys exceeding eight hours, by vehicles or ship.

It is private companies that inspect the vehicles and grant the approval of the vehicle for animal transport. 

Approval of ships

Ships must be approved for animal transport if you transport horses, cattle, sheep, goats or pigs for a distance exceeding 10 nautical miles.

The Danish Maritime Authority inspect and grant the approval of ships for transport of animals.

Please find special regulations regarding approval of ships here