Shipping a stand to Europe: a practical checklist
International exhibiting adds paperwork and timing risk. Use this checklist to align your design, freight, and venue teams before crates leave the factory.
Documentation
- Commercial invoices listing fair value of booth components (not retail product).
- Packing list with crate dimensions and gross weight per unit.
- ATA carnet or EU import strategy — your forwarder should confirm which path matches your show cycle.
Crate design
Forklift pockets, lifting marks, and re-usable hardware save hours at marshalling yards. Label interiors with assembly sequence photos for mixed local crews.
Venue dock slots
European halls often assign narrow delivery windows. Build a buffer day for customs inspection so you are not competing with your own install window.
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