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The twenty imports Denmark is best placed to replace.

Denmark imported USD 106bn of manufactured goods in 2024 and exported USD 95bn. These are the twenty that sit closest to what it already makes well and where one country supplies most of them.

USD 3.8bnthe twenty, imported in 2024
119products imported at scale, not yet exported well, and close to existing strengths
1445products Denmark already exports well
1346product lines imported at USD 10m or more
The twenty

Demand, capability, exposure. Nothing else is claimed.

Each line shows the import bill, where it comes from, the nearest thing Denmark already exports well, and how many countries make it. It does not say whether a plant in Denmark would pay. That reason is not in any trade record, and it is the maker's question.

This edition is trade and capability only, scored out of 8. The UK edition adds which public bodies buy each product and which region holds the capability; those layers are built only where a country publishes contract awards and regional trade, and Denmark does not publish them in a form this record can read yet.

  1. 1

    Wood: coniferous species, of pine (Pinus spp.), sawn or chipped lengthwise, sliced or peeled, whether or not planed...HS 440711

    Comes fromSweden 67%, 22 source countries
    Nearest export strengthWood: windows, French-windows and their frames: (of other than... (exports USD 341m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 8m; 6 more lines in the heading, USD 229m
    Countries that export it well22

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 168m, top 8 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Denmark's export strengths in the top 35 per cent (1); Sweden supplies 67 per cent (2).

    USD 168mup 20% on 2022
  2. 2

    Undenatured ethyl alcohol: of an alcoholic strength by volume of 80% vol. or higherHS 220710

    Comes fromBelgium 41%, 16 source countries
    Nearest export strengthNon-alcoholic beverages: other than non-alcoholic beer, n.e.c. in... (exports USD 324m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 686k
    Countries that export it well34

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 158m, top 9 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Denmark's export strengths in the top 33 per cent (1); Belgium supplies 41 per cent (1).

    USD 158mdown 39% on 2022
  3. 3

    Chocolate and other food preparations containing cocoa: in blocks, slabs or bars, (not filled), weighing 2kg or lessHS 180632

    Comes fromSweden 43%, 59 source countries
    Nearest export strengthChocolate and other food preparations containing cocoa: n.e.c. in... (exports USD 132m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 19m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 72m
    Countries that export it well34

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 88m, top 18 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Denmark's export strengths in the top 23 per cent (2); Sweden supplies 43 per cent (1).

    USD 88mup 45% on 2022
  4. 4

    Cigarettes: containing tobaccoHS 240220

    Comes fromPoland 61%, 29 source countries
    Nearest export strengthTobacco: smoking, other than water pipe tobacco, whether or not... (exports USD 328m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 7m
    Countries that export it well41

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 68m, top 24 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Denmark's export strengths in the top 43 per cent (1); Poland supplies 61 per cent (2).

    USD 68mup 13% on 2022
  5. 5

    Wine: still, in containers holding 2 litres or lessHS 220421

    Comes fromFrance 34%, 63 source countries
    Nearest export strengthNon-alcoholic beverages: other than non-alcoholic beer, n.e.c. in... (exports USD 324m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 81m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 209m
    Countries that export it well21

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 546m, top 2 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Denmark's export strengths in the top 50 per cent (1).

    USD 546mdown 6% on 2022
  6. 6

    Boards, panels, consoles, desks and other bases: for electric control or the distribution of electricity, (other than...HS 853710

    Comes fromGermany 19%, 98 source countries
    Nearest export strengthElectric generating sets: wind-powered, (excluding those with... (exports USD 1.0bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 367m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 69m
    Countries that export it well29

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 514m, top 2 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Denmark's export strengths in the top 31 per cent (1).

    USD 514mup 15% on 2022
  7. 7

    Insulated electric conductors: for a voltage not exceeding 1000 volts, not fitted with connectorsHS 854449

    Comes fromGermany 15%, 75 source countries
    Nearest export strengthElectric generating sets: wind-powered, (excluding those with... (exports USD 1.0bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 104m; 5 more lines in the heading, USD 469m
    Countries that export it well35

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 411m, top 3 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Denmark's export strengths in the top 42 per cent (1).

    USD 411mup 26% on 2022
  8. 8

    Vehicle parts and accessories: n.e.c. in heading no. 8708HS 870899

    Comes fromGermany 32%, 91 source countries
    Nearest export strengthVehicles: with only compression-ignition internal combustion piston... (exports USD 460m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 229m; 10 more lines in the heading, USD 515m
    Countries that export it well28

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 390m, top 3 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Denmark's export strengths in the top 48 per cent (1).

    USD 390mup 15% on 2022
  9. 9

    Medical, surgical or dental instruments and appliances: n.e.c. in heading no. 9018HS 901890

    Comes fromGermany 21%, 93 source countries
    Nearest export strengthHearing aids (excluding parts and accessories) (exports USD 512m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 205m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 76m
    Countries that export it well23

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 358m, top 3 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Denmark's export strengths in the top 40 per cent (1).

    USD 358mup 8% on 2022
  10. 10

    Perfumes and toilet watersHS 330300

    Comes fromGermany 31%, 56 source countries
    Nearest export strengthCosmetic and toilet preparations: n.e.c. in heading no. 3304, for... (exports USD 285m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 79m
    Countries that export it well19

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 149m, top 9 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Denmark's export strengths in the top 41 per cent (1).

    USD 149mup 74% on 2022
  11. 11

    Fertilizers, mineral or chemical: containing the three fertilizing elements nitrogen, phosphorus and potassiumHS 310520

    Comes fromFinland 35%, 21 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFertilizers, mineral or chemical: ammonium nitrate with calcium... (exports USD 28m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 5m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 31m
    Countries that export it well35

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 141m, top 10 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Denmark's export strengths in the top 26 per cent (1).

    USD 141mup 33% on 2022
  12. 12

    Paper articles: toilet paperHS 481810

    Comes fromSweden 55%, 36 source countries
    Nearest export strengthPaper and paperboard: folding cartons, boxes and cases, of... (exports USD 174m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 3m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 133m
    Countries that export it well40

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 131m, top 11 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Denmark's export strengths in the top 33 per cent (1); Sweden supplies 55 per cent (1).

    USD 131mup 12% on 2022
  13. 13

    Trailers, semi-trailers and other vehicles not mechanically propelled: parts thereof for heading no. 8716HS 871690

    Comes fromGermany 50%, 46 source countries
    Nearest export strengthVehicles: with only compression-ignition internal combustion piston... (exports USD 460m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 52m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 77m
    Countries that export it well26

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 123m, top 12 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Denmark's export strengths in the top 40 per cent (1); Germany supplies 50 per cent (1).

    USD 123mup 4% on 2022
  14. 14

    Electrical apparatus: switches n.e.c. in heading no. 8536, for a voltage not exceeding 1000 voltsHS 853650

    Comes fromGermany 46%, 89 source countries
    Nearest export strengthElectric generating sets: wind-powered, (excluding those with... (exports USD 1.0bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 63m; 6 more lines in the heading, USD 407m
    Countries that export it well29

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 123m, top 12 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Denmark's export strengths in the top 49 per cent (1); Germany supplies 46 per cent (1).

    USD 123mup 4% on 2022
  15. 15

    Glass: carboys, bottles, flasks, jars, pots, phials and other containers of glass, (not ampoules), used for the...HS 701090

    Comes fromGermany 40%, 60 source countries
    Nearest export strengthGlass fibres: n.e.c. in heading no. 7019 (exports USD 47m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 62m
    Countries that export it well38

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 100m, top 16 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Denmark's export strengths in the top 47 per cent (1); Germany supplies 40 per cent (1).

    USD 100mup 64% on 2022
  16. 16

    Extracts, essences and concentrates: of coffee, and preparations with a basis of these extracts, essences or...HS 210111

    Comes fromNetherlands 52%, 48 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFood preparations: n.e.c. in item no. 2106.10 (exports USD 1.1bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 8m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 11m
    Countries that export it well27

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 96m, top 16 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Denmark's export strengths in the top 50 per cent (1); Netherlands supplies 52 per cent (1).

    USD 96mup 15% on 2022
  17. 17

    Ice cream and other edible ice: whether or not containing cocoaHS 210500

    Comes fromNetherlands 18%, 35 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFood preparations: n.e.c. in item no. 2106.10 (exports USD 1.1bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 15m
    Countries that export it well37

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 84m, top 20 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Denmark's export strengths in the top 22 per cent (2).

    USD 84mup 11% on 2022
  18. 18

    Vehicles: for transport of goods, n.e.c. in heading no. 8704HS 870490

    Comes fromGermany 76%, 15 source countries
    Nearest export strengthVehicles: with only compression-ignition internal combustion piston... (exports USD 460m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 5m; 7 more lines in the heading, USD 1.3bn
    Countries that export it well21

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 56m, top 30 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Denmark's export strengths in the top 49 per cent (1); Germany supplies 76 per cent (2).

    USD 56mup 22% on 2022
  19. 19

    Cellulose fibre-cement: articles or the like: corrugated sheets, not containing asbestosHS 681181

    Comes fromCzech Republic 71%, 14 source countries
    Nearest export strengthSlag wool, rock wool and similar mineral wools (including... (exports USD 86m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 484k
    Countries that export it well24

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 38m, top 42 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Denmark's export strengths in the top 44 per cent (1); Czech Republic supplies 71 per cent (2).

    USD 38mup 23% on 2022
  20. 20

    Paper & paperboard: uncoated, testliner (recycled linerboard), weight 150g/m2, or less, in rolls or sheetsHS 480524

    Comes fromGermany 80%, 14 source countries
    Nearest export strengthPaper and paperboard: folding cartons, boxes and cases, of... (exports USD 174m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 564k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 36m
    Countries that export it well22

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 34m, top 45 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Denmark's export strengths in the top 46 per cent (1); Germany supplies 80 per cent (2).

    USD 34mdown 28% on 2022

One line per customs heading. Products Denmark already exports well and still imports are below, because they are a different conversation. No employment figures appear on this page, by decision.

Made here already, still imported

Scale conversations, not capability ones.

  • Vessels: n.e.c. in heading no. 8901, for the transport of goods and other... imports USD 2.0bn, exports USD 871m, top source South Korea 77%
  • Wood: for fuel, sawdust and wood waste and scrap, agglomerated in wood pellets imports USD 548m, exports USD 52m, top source United States 30%
  • Tankers imports USD 626m, exports USD 203m, top source South Korea 31%
  • Aluminium: unwrought, alloys imports USD 636m, exports USD 297m, top source Norway 90%
  • T-shirts, singlets and other vests: of cotton, knitted or crocheted imports USD 411m, exports USD 211m, top source Bangladesh 50%
  • Trousers, bib and brace overalls, breeches and shorts: men's or boys', of... imports USD 444m, exports USD 269m, top source Bangladesh 36%
  • Iron or non-alloy steel: flat-rolled, hot-rolled, of a width 600mm or more... imports USD 187m, exports USD 18m, top source Germany 74%
  • Food preparations: bakers' wares n.e.c. in heading no. 1605, whether or not... imports USD 451m, exports USD 286m, top source Germany 30%
  • Seats: with wooden frames, upholstered, (excluding medical, surgical, dental... imports USD 333m, exports USD 181m, top source Poland 44%
  • Iron or steel: structures and parts thereof, n.e.c. in heading 7308 imports USD 650m, exports USD 509m, top source Poland 20%
How the twenty were chosen

Three scores, each from a field the record carries.

Import bill, 0 to 3, by percentile among the 1346 lines imported at USD 10m or more: above the median one point, top quarter two, top tenth three.

Proximity to export strengths, 0 to 3, on the same percentiles: the product-space method (Hidalgo, Klinger, Barabasi and Hausmann, Science 2007) on CEPII's BACI file of every bilateral trade flow for 2024, 157 countries and 5,388 products. Two products are close when the countries that export one well tend to export the other well. Only products in the upper half for proximity can enter the list at all: best placed is a proximity claim.

Supply concentration, 0 to 2: one point when a single country supplies 40 per cent or more, two at 60 per cent.

Scope. Manufactured goods, customs chapters 16 to 96, excluding ores, fuels and precious metals. Primary agriculture is out of scope for a page about manufacture.

What it cannot tell you

A map of where to look.

Trade data says what crossed the border, not why. Cost, scale, patents, tariffs and the plain fact that a supplier is good at it are all invisible here. The world file reconciles what each pair of countries reports, so a national customs file would differ in detail. Nothing on this page is a forecast or a promise.

Source: CEPII BACI, HS22, version 202601, years 2022 to 2024. Edition of 2026-11-02. The UK edition with its procurement and regional layers is at /made-here/.

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