Exhibition Stand Builder Germany for Exhibitors from South Korea

Your exhibition stand builder in Germany — for South Korean companies

South Korean companies wishing to exhibit at German trade fairs book EXFAIR as their local exhibition stand service provider. We build your stand in Germany — precise, fully compliant and with the technical standard that Korean brands demand.

• Quote and 3D visualisation for sign-off by your team in Korea
• English-speaking project management with fast response times despite the 8-hour time difference
• On-time assembly of your stand at productronica Munich, automatica Munich, Hannover Messe and Intersolar
• Full compliance with German CE and trade fair regulations — handled entirely by EXFAIR
• Professional dismantling after the fair — optional storage for future European 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, 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 South Korea

South Korean exhibitors are supported at overseas fairs through KOTRA (Korea pavilions), industry associations and provincial or municipal programmes, which co-fund space rent, stand construction and transport. The application usually requires a stand builder's quote before the fair – EXFAIR delivers it in English, itemised and within your deadlines.

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). Graphics, fabrics and carpets from South Korea usually lack this certificate – so we produce them B1-certified in our own workshop, and you save freight and customs. The German grid supplies 230 V/50 Hz with Schuko sockets (in South Korea: 220 V/60 Hz); we plan adapters or transformers for your exhibits. Wooden crates and pallets from South Korea must be ISPM 15 treated and marked. EXFAIR takes care of stand construction approvals, hall regulations and technical orders with the venue; we coordinate delivery of your exhibits with forwarder and customs broker.

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 South Korea, 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 South Korea need to know about Germany

Entry and stand staff

South Korean nationals enter without a visa for fair visits and stand duty for up to 90 days in any 180. Since April 2026 non-EU travellers are registered biometrically in the Entry/Exit System (EES) at the Schengen external border – the first crossing takes longer, so allow a buffer at the airport. The electronic travel authorisation ETIAS is not yet in force (expected 2027); once it applies, it is requested online before travelling. For posted stand staff the social security agreement between Germany and South Korea applies: have the National Pension Service (NPS) issue a certificate of coverage and keep it on the stand – German inspection authorities ask for it.

Exhibits, customs and freight

Exhibits from South Korea enter Germany as a third-country import: sea freight from Busan to Hamburg around 5–6 weeks; air freight 3–5 days – plus 3–5 days for customs clearance and delivery to the venue. For exhibits that return home the ATA Carnet (issued by the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI)) is the simplest procedure; giveaways, brochures and consumables are cleared permanently and subject to 19 % import VAT. Wooden crates and pallets must be ISPM 15 treated and marked. Use the fair's official forwarder (customs clearance on site, advance warehouse, forklifts in the hall – only they may operate forklifts and cranes). EXFAIR coordinates delivery slots, empties and return transport with them or with your customs broker.

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 South Korea 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 South Korean business customers without German VAT. German input VAT on hotels, hospitality, space rent and purchases can be reclaimed by companies from South Korea 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: non-stop flights from Seoul to Frankfurt and Munich (12–13 hours). Time difference: 7 to 8 hours ahead of Germany. Power on the stand: 230 V/50 Hz with Schuko sockets – in South Korea 220 V/60 Hz with type C/F plugs – the plugs fit, but motors and power supplies must tolerate 50 Hz; 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. Korean exhibitors often work with very short decision paths from headquarters – EXFAIR therefore delivers quote, 3D visualisation and changes so they can be approved in Seoul overnight. At productronica, automatica and Intersolar Korean companies often exhibit in the KOTRA pavilion; EXFAIR also builds individual stands alongside.

Timeline for exhibitors from South Korea

• 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.
• 3 months before: book sea freight, apply for the ATA Carnet, ensure ISPM 15 packaging; apply for the staff certificate of coverage.
• 6–8 weeks before: organiser deadlines for suspensions, power, water, exhibitor passes and parking – EXFAIR handles the technical orders.
• 2 weeks before: exhibits in the fair forwarder's advance warehouse; artwork, screen content and giveaways final.
• 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.