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YOUR FIRST ORDER, STEP BY STEP

How to pay a clothing manufacturer safely

Ordering from a factory you have not worked with before can feel uncertain. Start with free mockups, then review a sample and clear written terms. Samples and first orders can be placed and paid through Alibaba.com Trade Assurance. Ask us to prepare a Trade Assurance order; the sample cost is confirmed in your quote.

Ask for a Trade Assurance order →

Updated 12 October 2026 · Crownseam production team

01 / THE PROCESS

How safe payment works

Agree the details before production begins.

  1. Start with your idea

    Send your design or choose a starting point from our library. We make a free front and back mockup.

  2. Approve the details

    Review the mockup, sizes, fabric, decoration, price and delivery terms. Confirm the sample before bulk production.

  3. Review your Alibaba order

    Ask us for a Trade Assurance order. It comes from our Alibaba.com storefront, Velar Enterprises. Check that its written specification matches the product, price and delivery terms you agreed.

  4. Pay on Alibaba.com

    Use a payment method offered at Alibaba.com checkout for that order. Keep the order details and payment record.

  5. Production, delivery and support

    We ship after you approve the finished order. Order updates are sent by email, WhatsApp or your preferred method. Raise any covered product or delivery issue with Alibaba under its Trade Assurance terms.

02 / COVERAGE

What is covered

Trade Assurance applies to qualifying orders placed and paid through Alibaba.com, typically samples and first orders with us.

The written order and Alibaba’s current terms determine coverage and the claims process. A claim does not mean an automatic refund.

Read Alibaba’s official guidance ↗

03 / REPEAT ORDERS

Larger repeat orders

Repeat bulk orders can also be invoiced directly by us: 50% advance, 50% before shipment. You can also keep using Trade Assurance. Just ask.

Direct payments outside Alibaba.com do not receive Trade Assurance protection.

04 / BEFORE YOU COMMIT

Why buyers trust Crownseam

Is it safe to order clothing from Pakistan?

Yes, when you take the same steps you would with any overseas factory. Sialkot is a world-known centre for sportswear and sports-goods manufacturing, and we make everything in our own factory there. Start with a free mockup, then approve a physical sample before bulk production. Use the sample to agree the garment and finish before committing to the full order.

Pay for samples and first orders through Alibaba.com Trade Assurance, with the specification recorded in the order. We only ship after you approve the finished order. Video calls and factory visits are welcome. If this is your first order, read how a first custom order works and our custom clothing FAQ.

5 checks before you pay any clothing manufacturer

  1. Get every detail in writing. Record the garment, fabric and GSM, sizes, decoration, price, delivery date and destination. Read the specification alongside your quote so you know what you are agreeing to.
  2. Approve a mockup and a physical sample. Review the sample before bulk production and confirm the colours, placement, fabric and finish against the design you discussed.
  3. Use a protected method for a first order. For Alibaba.com Trade Assurance, place and pay the order on Alibaba.com. Its terms determine protection; Trade Assurance does not cover side payments.
  4. Check the name on the order. Our Trade Assurance orders show our Alibaba storefront name, Velar Enterprises. Check the written product, price and delivery details as well as the name.
  5. Talk to the factory. Ask for a video call or a visit. Agree how you will receive production updates, so you know which channel to use for questions.

05 / QUESTIONS

Payment questions, answered

Is it safe to order custom clothing from an overseas manufacturer?

Reduce the risk by agreeing written order details and using a protected payment method. Approve the free mockup, then review a sample before bulk. Place and pay your Trade Assurance order through Alibaba.com. Coverage and any refund depend on the order and Alibaba’s terms.

How do I pay a clothing manufacturer safely?

Use a protected payment method and confirm the product, price and delivery terms in writing. Ask us for a Trade Assurance order for samples and first orders. Place the order and make the payment on Alibaba.com; its terms determine the coverage.

What is Alibaba Trade Assurance?

It is Alibaba.com’s order-protection service for qualifying orders placed and paid through Alibaba.com. If an order is not shipped or has a covered product or delivery issue, you can raise a claim under Alibaba’s terms. A refund is subject to those terms and the claim review.

Why does my Alibaba order show Velar Enterprises?

Velar Enterprises is the name of our supplier storefront on Alibaba.com. Crownseam is our brand. Your order is made by the same team in our own factory in Sialkot.

Do I pay for mockups?

No. Front and back mockups are free. Approve the design and review a sample before bulk production; the sample cost is confirmed in your quote.

Are import duties included?

Delivery to the UK and USA is duty-paid, so you pay no import fees on arrival. Outside the UK and USA we can often include duties. Tell us your country and we'll confirm in your quote.

Can I order a sample first?

Yes. Sample production takes about one week, plus 4–12 days for shipping depending on the service you choose. The sample cost is confirmed in your quote. Review the sample before committing to bulk production.

What payment methods can I use?

For Trade Assurance orders, use the payment methods Alibaba.com offers at checkout. They are shown when you pay and may vary by country. Repeat bulk orders invoiced directly by us are paid 50% in advance and 50% before shipment.

START WITH A CONVERSATION

Make the details clear.

Send your idea, quantity and destination. We will help you plan the mockup, sample and order.

Ask for a Trade Assurance order →

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