Exhibition Stand Builder Germany for Exhibitors from Switzerland

Your exhibition stand builder in Germany — for Swiss companies

Swiss 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 standard you expect from Switzerland.

• No-obligation quote and 3D visualisation in German or English
• On-time assembly of your stand at MEDICA Dusseldorf, Hannover Messe, interpack and more
• Full compliance with German trade fair regulations — EXFAIR handles all registrations and approvals
• German or English-speaking project management
• Professional dismantling after the fair — optional storage in Germany

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, generally without German VAT, payment by SEPA or SWIFT
• 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 Switzerland

Swiss companies often exhibit at German fairs within the SWISS Pavilions organised by Switzerland Global Enterprise (S-GE); cantonal export promotion programmes exist as well. EXFAIR builds individual stands as well as stands within group participations and coordinates directly with the pavilion organiser.

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) – including fabric graphics and decoration you bring along. We produce graphics B1-certified in our own workshop. EXFAIR takes care of stand construction approvals, hall regulations and technical orders with the venue. For exhibits from Switzerland we coordinate customs (ATA Carnet or clearance) and delivery; wooden packaging from Switzerland needs no ISPM 15 treatment within the EU.

Quote, invoice and payment

You receive a fixed-price quote in euros, itemised by cost position (stand construction, graphics, furniture, technology, logistics, storage). For business customers from Switzerland, the stand construction service is generally invoiced without German VAT. Payment by bank transfer (SEPA or SWIFT); 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 Switzerland 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 from Switzerland are a third-country import despite the short distance: truck freight from Switzerland to any German venue within a day, plus export and import clearance at the border. For exhibits that return home the ATA Carnet (issued by your cantonal chamber of commerce) is the simplest procedure; giveaways, brochures and consumables are cleared permanently. Wooden packaging from Switzerland needs no ISPM 15 treatment within the EU. In the hall only the exclusive fair forwarder operates forklifts and cranes; EXFAIR books your delivery slot and receives the goods. Many Swiss customers have graphics and furniture produced directly in Villingen-Schwenningen – then only the exhibit crosses the border.

Products, intellectual property and data protection

Machinery and electrical equipment demonstrated on the stand must meet EU safety requirements (CE); non-compliant exhibits may only be shown with a clearly visible notice that they will be sold in the EU only after adaptation, and must not be operated under power. 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: business card and badge scans need consent or a legitimate interest, and the data may only be transferred to Switzerland on a legal basis – your data protection officer should approve the lead form in advance.

Taxes: invoice, input VAT, sales on the stand

EXFAIR generally invoices the stand construction service to Swiss business customers without German VAT. German input VAT on hotels, hospitality, space rent and purchases can be reclaimed by companies from Switzerland through the third-country refund procedure at the Federal Central Tax Office – reciprocity is recognised; application by 30 June of the following year with original invoices and a certificate of taxable status. Sales to end customers on the stand may trigger German VAT registration.

Travel, power and life at the fair

Travel: from Basel, Zurich and Bern, Stuttgart, Munich and Friedrichshafen are 2–4 hours by car, Düsseldorf, Cologne and Frankfurt by ICE or short flight. Time difference: no time difference. Power on the stand: 230 V/50 Hz with Schuko sockets – in Switzerland 230 V/50 Hz with type J plugs – only adapters needed for Schuko sockets; 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. EXFAIR is around 100 km from Basel and 150 km from Zurich – the nearest German stand builder for Swiss exhibitors. Invoice in euros without German VAT, SEPA payment from Switzerland without issues. At MEDICA, COMPAMED and Hannover Messe many Swiss companies exhibit in the SWISS Pavilion; EXFAIR builds there too.

Timeline for exhibitors from Switzerland

• 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.
• 2–3 months before: commission the system stand (8 weeks lead time); organise ATA Carnet and forwarder; apply for A1 or posting certificates.
• 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.