Tips for Exhibitors

Preparing for a Trade Fair

THE GREATEST SHOWS ON EARTH
One of the best ways to start or increase your international sales is to participate in a German trade show. Why German? It's probably because trade shows in Germany have been big and international since the Middle Ages.
- Shipping Digest, 23 June 2008 

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Finding a Freight Forwarder

FINDING A FORWARDER
Picking one that's right for you is critical to export success.
- Shipping Digest, 21 May 2007

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Recovering German Value Added Tax (VAT)

All participants at trade fairs in Germany are subject to German Value Added Tax (VAT), which is currently 19%.
 
U.S. companies are entitled to reclaim VAT and, as such, we recommend that you keep all original invoices. In order to reclaim VAT, you must submit to the German tax authority a completed Application for Refund of Value-Added Tax.
 
If you do not already have a European tax representative, Deutsche Messe has partnered with ECOVIS to offer VAT reclamation services. You will also find listed on the Internet many VAT reclaim services. Please contact your finance department for assistance in reclaiming VAT.
  
Click here for more information from the U.S. Commercial Service.