Veterinary medicines

If you bring veterinary medicines into Denmark, please be aware that it might be illegal. Certain conditions must be met for it to be legal. The rules intend to counter bacterial resistance among animals and human beings and ensure food safety because medicines intended for pets can also be used in food-producing animals.

In consignments

If a veterinary medicine is sent to you from another country, for example if you bought it online, please be aware that it may be illegal to import the medicine to Denmark. Certain conditions must be met for it to be legal.

The determining factor is the country you import the medicine from

When you import the medicine, it is important to know if the product is imported from an EU/EEA country or a non-EU/EEA country.

It is legal to import veterinary medicines in consignments from an EU/EEA country if:

• The medicine is for the prevention or treatment of diseases in animals you own;
• The medicine is sold by a distributor authorised to sell veterinary medicines online – these distributors are recognisable by a blue EU logo;
• The medicine is not a prescription-only product in the country it was bought in.

  It is illegal to import veterinary medicines in consignments from a non-EU/EEA country

  It is not legal to import medicine in consignments from a non-EU/EEA country. This makes it illegal to import veterinary medicines sent by post or courier from countries such as China, Thailand, Switzerland and the USA.

  Be careful!

  Some online retailers will try to mislead you. We know from experience that many online medicine retailers attempt to mislead buyers. For example, the retailer will pretend to be Danish or will give you incorrect information about what country the product is dispatched from. We encourage you to read our advice on how to buy medicines safely online.

  When entering Denmark

  If you bring veterinary medicines into Denmark, please be aware that it might be illegal. Certain conditions must be met for it to be legal.

  The determining factor is the country you arrive from

  When you import the medicine, it makes a difference if you arrive from an EU/EEA country or a non-EU/EEA country.

  You can import veterinary medicines from an EU/EEA country legally

  On arrival from an EU/EEA country, you can import medicine legally if:

• The medicine is for the prevention or treatment of diseases in animals you own;
• The medicine is sold legally to private individuals in the country it was bought in.
• The medicine is not a prescription-only product in the country it was bought in.

You could be asked to show documentation to prove these conditions are met. We therefore advise you to bring your receipt for the purchase.

It is not legal to bring veterinary medicines into Denmark from non-EU/EEA countries.

It is not legal to bring veterinary medicines into Denmark from non-EU/EEA countries. This makes it illegal to bring veterinary medicines into Denmark from countries such as China, Thailand, Switzerland and the USA.

Doping substances and euphoriant substances contained in veterinary medicines you intend to import

The import of veterinary medicines containing doping substances or euphoriant substances is not legal, neither if you bring it into Denmark in person of if it is sent to you. You can read more about this in our information on importing medicine containing doping or euphoriant substances.

Your responsibility

When you import veterinary medicines, it is your responsibility to ensure the import is legal. Ask us if you are not sure if a product is a medicine or if you are allowed to import it to Denmark.

You could get a fine if you break the rules

If you import veterinary medicines illegally, you risk being reported to the police and getting a fine.

More information is available in the executive order on private individuals' import of medicines (in Danish only).