The most commonly used methods of shipping exhibits and materials to a show, aside from an exhibitor´s privately owned vehicles (POVs), are common carrier, air freight and padded van ground transportation and express mail services.
Common carrier is the least expensive method of shipping but, unfortunately, the least reliable. Common carriers work on a volume basis so that smaller consignments are usually combined to make full loads. Consequently, shipments are loaded and unloaded an average of three times before reaching their destination, thus increasing the chance of being damaged, mislaid or lost.
If you use a common carrier, here are some useful tips:
Shipping via airfreight, while not inexpensive as compared with common carrier service, does offer several conveniences/advantages including:
Padded vans offer specialized service tailored to your needs. Vans will pick up your shipment at your building and deliver it directly to the exhibition hall without handling in between. This keeps damage, loss and mis-shipping to a minimum. If you are shipping uncrated displays and/or machines, padded van is the ONLY way to ship. All shipments are blanket-wrapped and ride in air-cushioned trailers. Vans will guarantee delivery of your shipment on time and in good condition.
| NOTE: While padded van shipping is extremely reliable and time efficient, it is generally more expensive than shipping via common carrier. Additionally, it is probable that the material handling charges for unloading and re-loading a van will be higher if additional handling is required. |
We highly recommend using a carrier that specializes in the trade show industry.
Using express mail services such as UPS and FedEx to deliver your shipment to the show can be fast but costly and may not necessarily save you time.
UPS, FedEx and other express carriers specialize in just that - express service. In most instances, they will not prove reliable in delivering your shipment on time because they will not wait in freight lines at the convention center. They want to get in and get out, and if they have to wait in lines or first check in at a marshaling yard, they will most likely leave and come back at a later time. Unfortunately, when they come back there may still be freight lines, or it may be past the check in deadline, or even worse it may be after the show has already opened and you have been left waiting for your shipment. If you do wish to use an express service, you should limit it to small packages and it is better to have them delivered to your hotel.
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