Valves, couplings, meters and HDPE fittings, priced at the factory阀门、管道接头、水表与 HDPE 管件，按出厂价采购

Yes, with a few extra steps. Use the platform's cross-border service, work with a sourcing agent or freight forwarder in China who pays the supplier and consolidates shipping, or ask the seller whether they also run an Alibaba.com store for export orders. Order a sample before a bulk order.可以，只是多几步。可以用平台的跨境服务；或找国内采购代理、货代代为付款、验货、拼柜；也可以问卖家是否有面向出口的阿里国际站店铺。大货前先买样品。

For small amounts, Alipay accepts many international cards. For orders, the usual terms are bank transfer (T/T) with a deposit and the balance against a copy of the bill of lading, or a letter of credit at sight. Avoid paying 100% before production on a first order.小额可以用支付宝，支持绑定不少境外银行卡。正式订单一般用电汇（T/T），先付定金、凭提单副本付尾款，或用即期信用证。首单不要在生产前付全款。

Ask for the business licence and check the registered scope, request a live video walk-through of the workshop and test bench, and ask for test reports with the factory's own name on them. A third-party inspection (SGS, BV or similar) before shipment is a small cost against the order value.要营业执照并看经营范围；请对方视频直播车间和检测台；要带工厂自己名称的检测报告。发货前请第三方验货（SGS、BV 等），相对货值成本很低。

It depends on the item. Standard valves and fittings often start from one carton or a few pieces; samples are usually charged and credited against the order; production for stock sizes is typically a few weeks, plus about four weeks sea freight to Durban. Every quote states the exact figures from the manufacturer.因产品而异。标准阀门、管件常见一箱或几件起订；样品一般收费，下单后抵扣；常规规格生产周期多为几周，海运到德班另需约四周。每次报价写明制造商给出的具体数字。

FOB means you arrange sea freight from the Chinese port. CIF includes freight and insurance to your port. DDP includes import duties and delivery to your door, which is convenient but hides costs you cannot check. Most contractors compare FOB and CIF.FOB 是您自己安排从中国港口起运的海运；CIF 含到您港口的运费和保险；DDP 含进口税费和送货上门，方便但成本不透明。多数承包商对比 FOB 和 CIF 两种价格。

Register as an overseas buyer on the official Canton Fair website and download the invitation letter, which supports a business (M) visa application at the Chinese visa centre. Check first whether your country is on China's current visa-free list, as the list has been extended for many countries.在广交会官网注册为境外采购商并下载邀请函，凭邀请函在中国签证中心申请商务（M）签证。先查所在国是否在中国现行免签名单上，很多国家已被纳入。

Some municipal tenders include local content forms (SBD 6.2 / MBD 6.2). Read the tender document: where finished items must be local, imported castings and components for local assembly are often still an option.部分市政招标附本地化含量表格（SBD 6.2 / MBD 6.2），需看标书原文。成品须本地生产时，进口铸件和零部件供本地组装往往仍可行。