Exhibition Stand Builder Germany for Exhibitors from the United Kingdom

Your exhibition stand builder in Germany — for UK companies

UK companies wishing to exhibit at German trade fairs book EXFAIR as their local exhibition stand service provider. We build your stand in Germany — fully in English, post-Brexit compliant, with no effort required from Great Britain.

• Quote and 3D visualisation in English — for sign-off by your UK team
• On-time assembly of your stand at Hannover Messe, MEDICA Dusseldorf, aircraft interiors Hamburg and more
• Full compliance with German trade fair regulations — EXFAIR handles all registrations and authority communication
• English-speaking project manager for the entire project duration
• Professional dismantling after the fair — optional storage in Germany saves return shipping

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 the UK

There is currently no central national trade fair grant in the UK; British companies often exhibit at German fairs within UK pavilions organised by their trade associations or use regional programmes (Growth Hubs, Scottish Enterprise, Welsh Government). EXFAIR builds both individual stands and stands within group participations and delivers quotes in English, itemised by cost position.

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 the UK 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; we plan adapters or transformers for your exhibits. Wooden crates and pallets from the UK 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 the UK, 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 the UK need to know about Germany

Entry and stand staff

UK 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; the ETIAS travel authorisation is not yet in force (expected 2027). For employees working in Germany, inspection authorities require a posting certificate from HMRC under the EU–UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement – apply before travelling.

Exhibits, customs and freight

Since Brexit, fair goods from the UK are a third-country import: truck freight via Dover–Calais or the ferries to Rotterdam around 2–3 days including customs clearance on both sides. For exhibits that return home the ATA Carnet (issued by the London Chamber of Commerce or your regional chamber) is the simplest procedure; giveaways, brochures and consumables are cleared permanently and subject to import VAT. Wooden crates and pallets must be ISPM 15 treated. In the hall only the exclusive fair forwarder operates forklifts and cranes; EXFAIR books your delivery slot and receives the goods. Most British customers have graphics, furniture and displays produced by EXFAIR in Germany.

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 the UK 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 UK business customers without German VAT. German input VAT on hotels, hospitality, space rent and purchases can be reclaimed by companies from the UK 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: flights from London, Manchester, Birmingham and Edinburgh to Frankfurt, Düsseldorf, Munich and Stuttgart (1.5–2 hours). Time difference: 1 hour behind Germany. Power on the stand: 230 V/50 Hz with Schuko sockets – in the UK 230 V/50 Hz with type G plugs – only adapters needed; 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. Since Brexit every trade fair shipment from the UK is a third-country movement: exhibits travel on an ATA Carnet, promotional material and giveaways are cleared through customs, and UKCA marking is not valid in the EU – products for the EU market need CE. Many British exhibitors therefore have graphics, furniture and displays produced by EXFAIR in Germany and travel with exhibits only.

Timeline for exhibitors from the UK

• 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.