Artist Back Alley Resources Blog

Doing a convention in another country is a completely different beast to a local show. Everything you take for granted at home suddenly becomes a variable: power outlets, currency, customs declarations, and whether your display will even make it through baggage handling in one piece. We ship to 50+ countries from Sydney and hear from vendors worldwide about their international con experiences. Here's what we've learned about what WORKS and what doesn't when you're crossing borders with a booth. Customs And Your Display The number one question vendors ask about international travel is whether customs will hassle them about their display. The short answer: it depends on what it looks like. Metal frames and pipe-and-drape systems look like commercial equipment. Customs officers in some countries will ask for a carnet (a temporary import document for commercial goods), especially if the equipment looks expensive or specialised. This adds paperwork, cost, and stress. Plastic modular panels in a carry-on bag look like personal items. The modular display kit uses frosted polypropylene panels and ABS connectors. It doesn't look like commercial equipment because it doesn't look like any traditional display system. Vendors tell us they've carried it through customs in Japan, the US, the UK, Germany, and across Southeast Asia without questions. The Airline Equation International flights are where checked luggage gets expensive and risky. Budget carriers charge per kilogram. Full-service airlines have weight limits that international vendors regularly exceed when carrying metal displays. And checked luggage on connecting flights has a non-zero chance of going to the wrong city. A display that fits carry-on dimensions (56x36x23cm) eliminates that entire category of risk. It's in the overhead bin. It goes where you go. No extra fees, no damage claims, no waiting at carousel number SEVEN while your connecting flight boards. Power And Electricity Abroad This doesn't affect your display directly, but it matters for your booth. If you use lighting, a card reader, or a tablet for payments, you need power adapters. Pack a universal adapter and a power strip so one adapter serves all your devices. Your display itself needs no power, which is one less thing to worry about in a country where the outlets look like nothing you've seen before. Packing For The Return Trip International return trips are where packing discipline pays off. You might have new stock (prints traded with other artists), souvenirs, or convention swag. Your bags will be HEAVIER going home. If your display already takes up most of your weight and space allowance, you have no room for anything else. Starting with a lightweight, compact display means your return trip has breathing room. The flat-packing panels take the same space going home as they did coming. And since the system is modular, you can reconfigure your layout at each show without carrying extra components. Frequently Asked Questions Do I need to declare my display at customs?In most countries, personal effects and items for personal use during your trip don't need special declaration. The modular display doesn't typically trigger commercial-goods questions, but check the specific requirements for your destination country. A receipt showing it's a personal display (not goods for resale) helps if asked. What about shipping stock internationally instead of carrying it?Many vendors ship their stock ahead to the venue or their hotel. That's a reasonable approach for heavy items like ceramics or large prints. Your display stays with you as carry-on, so even if the shipped box is delayed, you can still set up your booth and sell from a reduced selection. Browse the full kit range to find a kit that fits your carry-on alongside essentials. Can I buy panels at my destination instead of travelling with them?We ship to 50+ countries from Sydney with 1-3 day domestic and fast international delivery. If you're going to a country we ship to, you could order ahead to your hotel or venue. But most vendors prefer carrying their kit since it fits carry-on anyway.