ExCeL London and the NEC Birmingham take the largest share of Polish exhibitors. In customs terms they are identical: the same post-Brexit clearance and the same border reference. They differ in the approach, in what is demanded of the vehicle and in the logistics around the site, and that shapes the transport plan.
Location and approach
ExCeL sits in east London, in the Docklands area. The approach runs through the city, so journey time depends on the hour and waiting space is limited. The NEC sits in the Midlands at a motorway junction, with direct access from the trunk road network and far more room to manoeuvre. The practical conclusion: for London we plan a bigger buffer and lean towards a smaller vehicle; for Birmingham a full outfit is straightforward.
Requirements on the vehicle
This is the biggest operational difference. London runs its own rules for heavy vehicles, covering both emissions and direct vision from the cab, described in our article on the Direct Vision Standard. On top of that come the low emission zones we collect in UK clean air zones. The NEC has no equivalent local scheme, though national rules still apply. In both cases vehicle compliance is our responsibility and the exhibitor has nothing to analyse.
Build-up windows and site access
Both venues work to build-up windows set by the event organiser, with vehicle appointments and passes. The difference lies in the surrounding space: at the NEC it is easier to find somewhere to wait for a slot, while in London that comfort does not exist, so being late costs more. For ExCeL deliveries we therefore more often plan to arrive the day before, with the driver staying locally, rather than banking on a clear run in the morning.
What is identical in both cases
- EU export declaration and safety declaration before the crossing.
- UK import declaration and a border reference for the driver.
- An ATA carnet for exhibits returning complete, described in what an ATA carnet is.
- Separating goods that return from material handed out on site.
- A booked collection after breakdown, without which the freight stays in the hall.
Choosing the vehicle and the mode
Single crates and smaller displays travel as groupage alongside other exhibitor freight. Complete builds and bulky equipment go on a dedicated vehicle that comes straight to the gate and stays for unloading. For urgent top-ups during build we run express transport. Venue detail is set out in our guides to transport to ExCeL London and transport to NEC Birmingham.
What to prepare before despatch
Whichever venue it is, we need the show name, stand number, build-up and breakdown windows, an item list with dimensions and weights, and a note on whether handling equipment is needed or any item requires a lift. With a carnet there is also the goods list with serial numbers. We gather that set before loading, because completing it en route costs exactly one missed build-up window.
The indirect costs exhibitors forget
When comparing venues it is easy to look only at the haulage, and that is usually not the largest item in exhibition logistics. You also have to count driver time spent inside the unloading window, hire of handling equipment where the venue insists on its own teams, storage of empty packaging during the show, and the return leg, which in a crowded breakdown can take longer than the delivery. Add the risk of standing time while a vehicle waits for space at the stand. In London those items rise faster than at the NEC, because space is dearer and more constrained. So when budgeting it is worth asking not for a haulage price but for the full scope of handling. Storage of packaging is covered in empty crate storage during UK fairs, and the work after a show closes in post-show logistics.
Sources
- ExCeL London: venue information
- NEC Birmingham: venue information
- Transport for London: Direct Vision Standard for HGVs
Know which venue your stand is at? Send the show name, stand number and dates through our quote form and we will match the vehicle, prepare the paperwork and plan the return. The full offer is on our exhibition logistics page.
