Shipping tents and tarpaulins across Europe: lead times, packing and installation

5 days ago

4 min read

Updated: 1 day ago

Buying a tent, a made-to-measure tarpaulin or a roll of fabric from a manufacturer in another country raises practical questions before placing the order: what can be shipped, how long transport takes, how the goods travel and what paperwork comes with the shipment. This guide covers those points for buyers across Europe working with Plastold, without giving prices, carriers or fixed total delivery dates, because every order depends on its size, destination and the access conditions at the delivery point. It applies both to a buyer ordering a complete tent for an event or a temporary building, and to one ordering only a roll of fabric or a replacement cover.

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What Plastold ships

From Málaga, Plastold ships complete tents, made-to-measure PVC tarpaulins to replace the cover of any structure, and 100-metre rolls of PVC-coated fabric in the different weights and finishes of the catalogue. We also prepare replacement covers for tents, pagoda tents and demountable industrial tents, when only the cover needs changing and not the whole structure. Shipping is arranged to any point in Spain and the rest of Europe, for event organisers and rental companies as well as for industry, agriculture and private buyers covering their own structure.

Lead times: manufacturing and transport

The total time to delivery has two separate parts. Manufacturing time depends on the size of the order, the weight and finish of the fabric and whether the piece is made to measure or comes from stock rolls; this lead time is always confirmed together with the quote, because it varies from order to order. It is worth stating your deadline date from the first contact, so we can check it against the manufacturing lead time. On orders with several pieces or different sizes, the manufacturing lead time is worked out for the whole order, not piece by piece.

Once the goods leave the factory, transport across Europe usually takes about a week. This is a transport reference, not a fixed delivery date, because the destination country and access conditions can make it longer or shorter, whether the destination is close to the European border or at the other end of Europe.

How the goods travel

The fabric travels rolled or folded, protected with packaging designed to prevent rubbing, moisture and knocks during transport. Complete tents and their structures are packed as separate items according to their size and weight. The aim of the packaging is for the fabric and the frame parts to arrive in the same condition they left the factory in, whatever the destination country. On larger orders, the metal structure is split into several packages according to the length of its profiles, to make unloading easier.

What we need to prepare an accurate shipping quote

Country and exact delivery address, including any access restriction you already know about.
Whether the delivery lorry can reach the unloading point directly, or whether there are size or time restrictions.
Whether a tail lift or a forklift is available at the delivery point, or whether unloading will be done manually.
A contact person on site, with a phone number, to arrange the day of arrival.
The deadline date you need the material by, so we can confirm whether the manufacturing and transport times fit.

Customs and paperwork

Within the European Union, shipping is handled as a normal intra-community operation, with no customs formalities for the buyer. Outside the European Union, the goods go through the export and import process for that country, with the customs documents each country requires; it is worth checking this in advance, since requirements differ by destination. In both cases, the invoice and, when the order includes fabric with a European T2 fire certificate (UNE-EN 15619), the corresponding certificate, travel with the shipment. The invoice describes the goods and their value for customs purposes, and it is worth checking in advance whether the destination country requires any extra import formality.

What to check on arrival

Count the packages received and check they match what is stated on the delivery note.
Check the condition of the packaging before signing for delivery, without waiting to unpack everything.
Photograph any damaged package or opened packaging before signing, and note it on the carrier's delivery note.

Tent installation

Beyond supplying the material, we can arrange installation of tents bought from us. How much of the work this covers depends on whether it is a small tent with a simple assembly or a larger industrial structure, so describe the project and ask for it explicitly when requesting the quote, so it can be planned together with the rest of the order.

Frequently asked questions

How long does my order take to arrive?

It depends on two separate lead times: manufacturing, confirmed with the quote according to the size of the order, and transport, which once the shipment leaves the factory usually takes about a week within Europe.

Does Plastold install the tent once it is delivered?

We can arrange installation of tents bought from us. Ask for it when requesting the quote, because it depends on the destination and the specific job.

What happens if the order goes outside the European Union?

It goes through the export and import process for the destination country, with its own customs documentation. The invoice and, where applicable, the fire certificate travel with the shipment.

What should I check when the order arrives?

Count the packages, check the packaging before signing, and photograph any visible damage at the time of delivery, before signing off with the carrier.

If you have a project to ship to another European country, contact us with the destination, your deadline date and the access conditions at the delivery point, and we will confirm manufacturing time, transport and, if you need it, installation. You can also request the tarpaulin sample book to see the material before deciding.

Real project: PVC grandstand roofs and 288 tent side walls, made in Málaga for a major motorsport event in Madrid. See the project