Exhibition Stand Builder Germany for Exhibitors from Italy

Your exhibition stand builder in Germany — for Italian companies

Italian companies wishing to exhibit at German trade fairs book EXFAIR as their local exhibition stand service provider. We build your stand in Germany — with the quality and aesthetic standard you expect from Italy.

• Quote and 3D visualisation in English or German — for sign-off by your team
• On-time assembly of your stand at DRUPA, interpack, Anuga Cologne and K Dusseldorf
• Knowledge of specific hall regulations at all major German trade fair venues
• English or German project management — as preferred by the client
• Professional dismantling after the fair — optional storage for future deployments

At a glance

• Price: system stand from approx. €3,500, custom build from approx. €15,000 (net, guide values)
• Response time: reply within 24 hours, quote with 3D visualisation in 5–30 business days
• Lead time: system stand from approx. 8 weeks, custom build from approx. 16 weeks before the fair
• Invoice: fixed price in euros, reverse-charge without German VAT with a valid VAT ID, payment by SEPA
• Language: project management in English and German, all documents in writing
• Location: workshop and storage in Villingen-Schwenningen, southern Germany – since 1987

Funding for exhibitors from Italy

Italian SMEs can finance participation in overseas fairs through SIMEST (Fondo 394, 'Fiere ed eventi' line): a subsidised loan with a grant component, with space rent and stand construction ('affitto e allestimento stand') explicitly eligible. ICE-Agenzia's collective stands are a further option. EXFAIR delivers the quote in English, itemised by cost position – as the basis for the application.

Technology, fire safety and logistics

All stand materials in Germany must be flame-retardant (B1 to DIN 4102 or class B/C to EN 13501-1); this also applies to fabric graphics, carpets and decoration you bring along. We produce graphics and textile prints B1-certified in our own workshop – no certificates to chase and no discussions with the fire safety officer on site. EXFAIR takes care of stand construction approvals, hall regulations (building heights, build-up times) and technical orders with the venue. Exhibits from Italy travel without border formalities; we coordinate delivery with your forwarder or our partner.

Quote, invoice and payment

You receive a fixed-price quote in euros, itemised by cost position (stand construction, graphics, furniture, technology, logistics, storage). Italian companies with a valid VAT ID are invoiced under the reverse-charge procedure – the invoice reaches you without German VAT. Payment by SEPA transfer; the payment schedule is set out in the quote. Your tax adviser can confirm the VAT details.

How your project runs

1. Enquiry: trade fair, stand size, date and budget – by form or email.
2. Reply within 24 hours: questions, schedule, first cost range.
3. Quote in 5–30 business days: fixed price, 3D visualisation and floor plan – in writing for your internal sign-off.
4. Production and approvals: built in our own workshop; EXFAIR handles stand construction approval, technical and utility orders with the venue.
5. Assembly, support, dismantling: handover before the fair opens, support during the fair, dismantling afterwards – storage for the next deployment on request.

Last updated: September 2026. Prices and lead times are guide values; the written quote is binding.

Checklist: what exhibitors from Italy need to know about Germany

Entry and stand staff

There are no entry formalities for your stand staff – an ID card is sufficient. For employees working in Germany, even just for build-up, dismantling or stand duty, German inspection authorities require the A1 certificate from your home social security institution; apply before travelling and keep it on the stand. EXFAIR fitters are insured in Germany anyway – the more build-up you leave to us, the fewer certificates you need.

Exhibits, customs and freight

Exhibits, samples and promotional material from Italy travel without customs and without border formalities – truck freight from northern Italy to Munich 1 day, to Düsseldorf, Frankfurt or Hanover 1–2 days; allow for Brenner and Tyrolean night driving bans. German hall rules still apply: only the exclusive fair forwarder may operate forklifts and cranes, your own trucks may deliver to the hall gate. EXFAIR books your delivery slot with the fair, receives the goods and stores empties. Wooden packaging needs no ISPM 15 treatment within the EU.

Products, intellectual property and data protection

CE marking and EU standards apply as at home; the fair electrician inspects powered exhibits before commissioning. Register trademarks and designs you show in Germany for the first time with the EUIPO beforehand; rights holders actively enforce their IP at German fairs. The GDPR applies to lead capture on the stand as at home; stand orders with the organiser run through the exhibitor portal.

Taxes: invoice, input VAT, sales on the stand

EXFAIR invoices under the reverse-charge procedure with your VAT ID – without German VAT; the organiser's space rent works the same way. German input VAT on hotels, hospitality and small purchases is reclaimed through your tax office's electronic refund procedure (application by 30 September of the following year). Selling goods to end customers on the stand may require German VAT registration – clarify beforehand.

Travel, power and life at the fair

Travel: Munich is 4–6 hours from Milan, Bolzano and Verona by car or train; flights from Milan, Rome and Bologna to Düsseldorf, Frankfurt and Hanover 1.5–2 hours. Time difference: no time difference. Power on the stand: 230 V/50 Hz with Schuko sockets – in Italy 230 V/50 Hz with type F/L plugs – type L plugs need adapters in Germany; EXFAIR orders the hall connection and plans adapters or transformers for your exhibits. Hotels around Düsseldorf, Hanover, Munich and Frankfurt are booked out early and considerably more expensive during leading fairs – book when you register the stand. Halls are usually open 9 am–6 pm, stand parties into the evening are common, Sundays are public days at some fairs. German trade visitors come with specific questions on technology, delivery time and price; English documents are sufficient, German short versions of the stand graphics increase engagement. Italian machinery and packaging manufacturers are one of the largest foreign groups at drupa, interpack, K and LIGNA – often within the ICE collective stands. EXFAIR builds individual stands as well as pavilion stands and delivers the quote itemised by cost position, as the SIMEST application requires. Project management in German or English.

Timeline for exhibitors from Italy

• 6 months before the fair: book the space, file the funding application (attach EXFAIR's quote), reserve hotels.
• 4 months before: commission the custom build (16 weeks lead time); approve stand design and 3D visualisation.
• 2 months before: commission the system stand (8 weeks lead time); apply for A1 certificates for stand staff; book the forwarder.
• 6–8 weeks before: organiser deadlines for suspensions, power, water, exhibitor passes and parking – EXFAIR handles the technical orders.
• 2 weeks before: artwork and screen content final; delivery slot confirmed.
• Build-up: EXFAIR hands over the finished stand before the fair opens – your team arrives to move in.

As of September 2026. Customs, visa and tax information is general guidance, not legal or tax advice; the technical guidelines of the respective fair and the information from customs, embassy and tax adviser are binding.