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Valve inspection cost in China: what a man-day costs and what makes a job longer

Our published rates, how a quote is built, and the factors that turn one man-day into two — so you can budget a valve inspection before you ask for a quote.

General Inspection2026-11-146 min read

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Short answer: A valve inspection with ValveWitness costs USD 220–260 per man-day in the Ningbo area, including the English report, photos and local travel. Pressure test witnessing adds USD 60–100 per day, or USD 150–180 as a stand-alone half day. Travel outside Ningbo is quoted in writing before you book.

By Kevin Lyu (吕中国), ValveWitness Inspection, Ningbo · Published 2026-11-14

Published rates

These are the rates on our pricing page. Your quote is a fixed figure, confirmed in writing within one working day.

ItemPublished rate (USD)Notes
PSI or DUPRO, Ningbo area220–260 per man-dayIncludes the English report, photo pack and local Ningbo travel
Pressure test witnessing added to a PSI+60–100 per dayDepends on the number of valves to witness and the hold durations
Stand-alone pressure test witness (half day)150–180Minimum charge, Ningbo area
Travel outside Ningbo (Wenzhou, Taizhou, Lishui and others)Actual cost or fixed surchargeConfirmed in writing before you book
Re-inspectionCharged as a new man-dayAfter a FAIL, or when goods were not ready
CancellationFree with 24 hours’ noticeUnless otherwise agreed in writing

We only quote our own published rates here; we do not publish comparisons with other inspection providers.

How a quote is built — worked arithmetic

The figures below are simple arithmetic on the published rates, not a quote:

  • PSI in Ningbo, one man-day: USD 220–260.
  • PSI in Ningbo with pressure test witnessing on the same day: USD 220–260 + USD 60–100 = USD 280–360.
  • Witness only, half day in Ningbo: USD 150–180.
  • PSI at a Wenzhou or Taizhou factory: the man-day rate plus the travel cost or fixed surcharge we confirm in writing first — see the cluster map for travel times.

What makes a job take more than one man-day

  • Many sizes or models. Each model needs its own dimensional sample and its own marking and test check.
  • A large lot. Under ISO 2859-1, sample size grows with lot size; a few thousand valves can need far more pieces opened and checked.
  • Witnessing many valves, or long holds. Pipeline valves to API 6D generally need longer minimum holds than general valves, and large valves take time to fill, pressurise and drain.
  • Add-ons. Coating DFT on every sample, PMI on several parts per valve, or operation torque checks.
  • Factory not ready. Goods not finished or not packed means waiting — or a second visit.
  • Distance. A Wenzhou or Lishui factory may need an overnight stay to give a full working day on site.

How to keep the cost down

  1. Send the PO, drawing, quantity per model and test scope with your inquiry, so the quote is right the first time.
  2. Ask the factory to confirm the readiness gate — 100% finished, at least 80% packed — the day before.
  3. Combine PSI and test witnessing in one visit instead of two trips.
  4. Group factories in the same cluster on consecutive days to share the travel cost.
  5. Use the free checklist to fix the PO details before production.

Before you ask for a quote, have ready

  • Factory city (and district), product types, sizes, classes and quantities per model.
  • Standards and edition, AQL plan, tests to witness and any add-ons (DFT, PMI).
  • Your preferred date and whether the goods will be finished and packed by then.

Pricing · Request a fixed quote

Questions buyers ask

Is travel included in the man-day rate?

Local travel in the Ningbo area is included. Travel to Wenzhou, Taizhou, Lishui and other cities is charged at actual cost or as a fixed surcharge, confirmed in writing before the job.

What if the goods are not ready when the inspector arrives?

The visit is reported as found. A return visit, or a re-inspection after corrections, is charged as a new man-day.

Can I cancel or move the inspection date?

Yes, free of charge with at least 24 hours’ notice, unless otherwise agreed in writing.

Sources

We report facts from the samples inspected. Standards named in these guides are public standards we work to, not certifications or accreditations we hold. We do not issue product certificates or accreditation marks. Test pressures, durations, leakage rates and acceptance numbers must be read from the licensed edition named in your purchase order; we do not reproduce copyrighted tables from the standards.

Related

PSI vs DUPRO vs test witness vs loading

What each inspection stage actually covers, why a late PSI can miss casting and dimensional faults under paint and crates, and how to write hold points into your PO.

Related

Zhejiang valve clusters: a buyer’s map

Ningbo, Wenzhou (Oubei, Longwan), Taizhou (Yuhuan, Wenling) and Lishui: what each area typically makes, rail and road times from Ningbo, and multi-factory trip planning.

Related

Free valve inspection checklist (PDF)

Printable A4 checklist (no email gate): pre-PO verification, DUPRO checks, the 12-area PSI field list and quick checkpoints for gate, ball, butterfly and check valves.

Need an inspector at a Zhejiang factory?

Send your PO or specification, the factory city and the date. We confirm scope and price within one working day.

Request an inspectionWhatsApp +86 131 2757 0627