Yes, the seed is fine and surface sown, covering the seed pots with plastic wrap and removing that at the first sign of germination is one way of keeping them moist until they can germinate.

A. chinensis comes up like lettuce and just about as fast for me, other types could take as long as 60 days or more to sprout.

I don't think you'd have trouble with the seed, but if you do or if you are looking for a specific variety and cannot find seed for it, buying about 1/3 the number of plants you need, dividing those when you get them home to plant them is another possibility.