Short answer: Compare Chinese agricultural drone suppliers by type, proof and after-sales support, not by price alone. There are four types: large brands, mid-size specialist makers, OEM or ODM factories and trading companies. Ask each one for the same documents, a sample, a spare parts list and written warranty terms. This guide is published by FLYZOR, which is one of the suppliers in the OEM and specialist group, so read it as a checklist and verify every claim yourself.
The four supplier types
| Type | Good for | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Large brands | Buyers who want a known product and an existing service network | Fixed price lists, limited custom work, authorised-dealer rules, little chance to use your own brand |
| Mid-size specialist makers | Dealers and service teams that want direct contact with the engineers | Check the size of the support team and the stock of spare parts |
| OEM or ODM factories | Companies that want their own brand, colours, manual or app language | Minimum order quantity, who owns the design, how support for your customers works |
| Trading companies | Buyers who want to compare several factories through one contact | A trader adds a margin, may not control quality and may not know the product in detail |
None of these types is always better. Choose by your business model. A dealer who wants a brand may start with an OEM factory. A farm that wants one drone and local service may prefer a large brand with a dealer nearby.
Checklist: ask for proof
- Business licence. Check the company name and its scope of business.
- Factory video. Ask for a live video call that shows assembly, testing and stock.
- Certificates for your market. For the European Union, ask for the CE documents and the test reports. The EU machinery rules are in Regulation (EU) 2023/1230; ask a compliance specialist which rules apply to your exact product. The EU lists notified bodies in the NANDO database, which helps you check who issued a certificate.
- Sample flight videos. Ask for videos of the exact model, not a different one.
- Specification sheet. Check tank volume, swath, flow rate, weight, battery and protection rating against the sales page.
- Spare parts list with prices. Propellers, motors, pumps, nozzles, batteries.
- Warranty text. Which parts, how long, who pays freight, how a claim is made.
- Training and software. Manual language, app language, remote help.
Example: a simple scoring table
This is an example to show the method. Weights are your choice.
Suppose you give each point a weight from 1 to 5, and each supplier a score from 0 to 5 per point. Price has weight 3, proof of factory 4, certificates 5, spare parts 4, warranty 3 and support speed 4, a total weight of 23.
Supplier A scores price 5, factory 2, certificates 3, parts 2, warranty 3, support 2: (15 + 8 + 15 + 8 + 9 + 8) = 63, or 63 ÷ (23 × 5) = 55 %. Supplier B scores price 3, factory 5, certificates 5, parts 4, warranty 4, support 4: (9 + 20 + 25 + 16 + 12 + 16) = 98, or 85 %.
Supplier A looks cheaper, but supplier B is the better choice for a business that must keep customers’ drones flying.
Samples, first order and support
Order a sample before a batch. Fly it in your crop with your own pilots. Test the manual, the app and the support: send a technical question a week after delivery and measure the answer time. Then agree on the first batch, the spare parts package and the warranty process in writing.
Our own F-series models are an example of what to ask for: the F72 lists tank, swath, weight, battery and protection rating on its page, and the F62/F50 does the same. Any supplier should be able to give you a page like this.
Shipping and batteries
Drones ship with the arms folded, usually by sea in cartons or by air for small orders. Lithium batteries are dangerous goods for transport. Carriers such as FedEx publish battery rules, and the rules for air freight are stricter than for sea. Agree before you pay: who packs the batteries, which papers come with them, and which port or airport receives them. Import tax, registration of drones and rules for spray use depend on your country, so ask your customs agent and your aviation and agriculture authorities.
Own brand and OEM
If you want to sell under your name, read our OEM and ODM page. Ask about minimum order, branding options, manual and app language, spare parts for your market and support for your customers. If you want to become a dealer for an existing brand, see the dealer program. Send your market, crops and expected volume with your inquiry, and we reply with options. Prices, minimum orders and terms are agreed in the quotation.
