Shipping trade show freight from the U.S. to Europe
NorthStar Express ships exhibits and event materials from anywhere in the U.S. to shows across Europe, including the U.K., Ireland, Germany, France, Spain and Italy. We ship primarily by air, lead time is typically 8 to 12 business days, and your Shipping Coach helps navigate your shipment through customs: choosing a broker, confirming the commercial invoice, ATA Carnets and keeping on top of customs requests.
How your Shipping Coach helps you clear customs
A customs broker
Already have one? We work with them. If not, we help you choose one.
The commercial invoice
We help you confirm it: what’s in each case, with item quantities and values. Then we keep you on track with customs requests until your freight clears.
ATA Carnets
We help you with ATA Carnets, the customs document many exhibitors use to bring display material in for a show and take it home again.
Planned around the show’s deadlines
Tell your Shipping Coach the show, the dates and what’s shipping. We ship to Europe primarily by air, with a typical lead time of 8 to 12 business days depending on where we pick up, so your coach schedules the pickup based on the show’s deadlines and leaves time for the commercial invoice, any ATA Carnet and customs clearance.
The return trip is planned before the show, so your display comes home, or moves on to your next event, without a last-minute scramble.
On the European show circuit every year? With NorthStar 365, send your whole show calendar once and your coach reaches out 90 days before each event, at no added cost.
- Pickup scheduled based on the show’s deadlines
- Time built in for customs clearance
- Return shipment planned before the show
- One coach from pickup to the trip home
Exhibition centers we ship to across Europe
We ship to cities all over Europe. Its largest exhibition centers are in Germany, France, Italy and Spain, and we ship to them along with venues in the U.K. and Ireland, including:
Frankfurt, Hanover, Cologne, Düsseldorf & Munich
Messe Frankfurt, Deutsche Messe Hannover, Koelnmesse, Messe Düsseldorf, Messe München
Paris & Lyon
Paris Nord Villepinte, Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, Eurexpo Lyon
Milan & Bologna
Fiera Milano, BolognaFiere
Barcelona, Madrid & Valencia
Fira Barcelona Gran Via, IFEMA Madrid, Feria Valencia
Birmingham & London
NEC Birmingham, ExCeL London, Olympia London
Dublin
RDS Dublin, The Convention Centre Dublin
What determines your shipping rate — and what we need to create a quote
What determines your shipping rate
- Weight & Dimensions
- Distance
- Timing and how far out it’s booked
- Ground or air
- Special requirements at either end
- Declared Value
- Customs Clearance
What we need to quote
- What’s shipping and how it’s packed
- Pickup and delivery locations
- Special requirements
- Your timeframe
- A commercial invoice
Shipping to Canada, or exhibiting in the U.S. as well? See shipping to Canada, international event shipping and trade show shipping.
One list, two jobs.
Sturdy, reusable cases, with a list of what’s in each — items, quantities and value. That list does double duty at customs and at move-in. Please remember to hand-carry your laptop.
Shipping to Europe: frequently asked questions
How long does it take to ship trade show freight from the U.S. to Europe?
We ship primarily by air, and lead time is typically 8 to 12 business days, depending on your pickup location. Your coach schedules the pickup based on the show’s deadlines.
Do I need an ATA Carnet?
It depends on what you’re shipping and where the show is. Your Shipping Coach helps you work out whether a carnet makes sense and helps you with it if you use one.
Do I need my own customs broker?
If you already have one, we work with them. If you don’t, we help you choose one. Your coach also helps you confirm the commercial invoice and keeps you on track with customs requests.
Which countries do you ship to?
We ship to cities all over Europe, including the U.K., Ireland, Germany, France, Spain and Italy. Shipping somewhere else? Tell us the venue and show dates.
Can you bring our display back after the show?
Yes. Your coach plans the return shipment before the show, so your display comes home or moves on to your next event.
How do I get a quote?
Request a quote with what’s shipping and how it’s packed, pickup and delivery locations, your timeframe and a commercial invoice, or email shippingcoach@northstarexpress.com.
Start the Conversation
Email your Shipping Coach directly — shippingcoach@northstarexpress.com