Logistics for art fairs and exhibitions
Art fairs impose unique logistical constraints compared to conventional transport: strict installation slots dictated by the organiser, multiple galleries to coordinate simultaneously on the same site, and dismantling to be carried out within a few hours of closing. A delay or damage cannot be rectified – the stand opens at a fixed time, with or without you.
For 75 years, we have managed the logistics for galleries participating in major Belgian and European art fairs. Transport, consolidation, assembly, dismantling, customs, after-sales management: a single point of contact for the entire cycle.
Group transport to trade fairs
For each art fair we regularly service, we organise consolidated trips: several galleries share the same secure truck to the same fair venue. Consolidation significantly reduces the per-unit transport cost for each exhibitor, while maintaining the same security conditions as a dedicated transport.
Consolidation tours are planned in advance of each major trade fair. Contact us as soon as you confirm your participation to benefit from consolidation rates.
Dedicated transport
For galleries exhibiting a large volume of works, high-value pieces, or oversized formats, we organise dedicated transport: one vehicle, one crew, one gallery. Available for all European and international art fair destinations.
Stand assembly and dismantling
Setting up a trade stand is no ordinary installation. Each piece has its place, its hanging method, its requirements. Our teams are on-site to:
- Unpacking and checking the condition of the works on arrival in the hall
- Hanging and installation according to the stand plan provided by the gallery or gallerist
- Installation of sculptures and objects at their defined locations
- Coordination with the fair's technical teams For adherence to the rules of the venue
At the end of the fair, we ensure the Complete dismantling stand duties: uninstallation, repacking, loading — within the deadlines set by the organiser. Unsold works are returned to the gallery, stored with us or sent on to the next destination.
Post-Sale Logistics Mastery
After a fair closes, the artworks sold must be delivered to their new owners — often in different countries, with distinct customs formalities. We manage the post-sale phase for galleries that entrust their artworks to us:
- Delivery to buyers in Belgium, Europe and internationally
- Packaging and crating of sold works according to their destination
- Customs formalities management for non-EU buyers
- Temporary storage of works awaiting delivery in our Zaventem warehouse
- Return of unsold works to the original gallery or the next art fair
Pre-show and post-show storage
Our warehouse in Zaventem, located close to Brussels’ main exhibition venues, offers a storage solution for galleries wishing to deliver their artworks before the exhibition halls open. The artworks are received, checked and stored under appropriate conditions until the start of the installation.
After the fair, the works can be stored while deliveries to buyers are organised. This continuity between transport, storage, and final delivery avoids intermediate transfers and reduces handling risks.
For fairs held outside the European Union — USA, UK, Switzerland, Emirates, Asia — works must be accompanied by the appropriate customs documents. We manage:
- ATA Carnet for temporary exports to trade fairs outside the EU — the works are returned duty-free and tax-free if they are not sold
- Customs declarations for works sold on site to local buyers
- CITES Permit if works contain regulated materials
- Post-Brexit management for fairs in the UK (Frieze London, Christie’s/Sotheby’s fairs)
A few fairs we serve
BRAFA Art Fair, Art Brussels, TEFAF Maastricht, Frieze Art Fair & Frieze Masters, PAD Paris, Biennale Paris, The Armory Show, Context Art Miami, Salon Art + Design, Art Dubai, …
Coordination and timeline
The logistics for a fair are prepared several weeks in advance. As soon as you confirm your participation, we will arrange together:
- Date and time of collection Works in a gallery or in storage
- Mode of transport — groupage on route or dedicated transport
- Customs documents — to prepare in advance for non-EU fairs
- Delivery slot at the hall — according to the assembly schedule provided by the organiser
- Installation Plan stand – provided by the gallery before the D-day
- Post-Sale Logistics Mastery — delivery destinations for sold works, return of unsold items
The earlier you contact us, the more we can guarantee grouping and the best slots. We remain available for last-minute requests — but within the limits of the fair's schedule.
They trusted us
FAQ
The difference between dedicated transport and groupage for a trade fair lies in how your goods are shipped.
Dedicated transport reserves a truck exclusively for your gallery — more flexible, recommended for large volumes or high-value pieces. Groupage shares a secure truck between several galleries heading to the same fair — less expensive per artwork, ideal for galleries exhibiting a limited number of pieces.
Do you manage the assembly and dismantling of the stand?
Yes. Our teams carry out on-site work for excavation, rigging, and the installation of sculptures and objects – according to the stand plan provided by the gallery. At the end of the fair, we ensure complete dismantling within the deadlines set by the organiser.
What happens to unsold works at the end of a fair?
As per your instructions, we will redirect them to your gallery, temporarily store them at our Zaventem warehouse pending delivery to buyers, or ship them directly to the next fair.
Do you handle customs formalities for non-EU trade fairs?
Yes — ATA Carnet for temporary exports, customs declarations for sales, CITES permits if required. We also handle post-Brexit specificities for trade fairs in the UK.
Do you exhibit at fairs that are not on your list?
Yes. The list on this page reflects the trade fairs we regularly serve via groupage. For any other trade fairs, we can arrange a bespoke transport service – road, air, or sea, depending on the destination.
Can you store our works before the assembly halls open?
Yes. Our Zaventem warehouse allows us to receive and store your works in the days preceding the fair, then deliver them to the hall during your allocated set-up slot.
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