Warranty Services

Packaging and Shipping Guidelines

• Write your RMA number on the outside of the box.
• Use Western Digital approved packaging. Each drive MUST be placed in a Static Shielding Bag prior to packaging!
• Remove and keep third party cases¹, cables, brackets, manuals, and diskettes. We cannot return these items to you.
• Use a traceable carrier that can provide a proof of delivery.

Packaging and Shipping Guidelines.

• WD shall have no liability with respect to (a) data lost, regardless of the cause, (b) data recovery services, or (c) data contained in any Product placed in WD’s possession. For example, WD has no obligation to pay for or reimburse for the cost of recovering data.

• WD maintains serial number tracking. Any drive discovered to be stolen will not have the warranty honored, will not be returned to user and no credit or replacement processed or issued.

• Please read the following shipping instructions carefully. Product that arrives damaged in shipment, without an RMA number or without appropriate warranty information, will be returned to you non-repaired. Products, damaged through neglect due to improper packaging or in shipment, will void the warranty and will be processed and returned to you non-repaired. (An example of improper packaging would be sending a product back in an envelope.)

• External Hard Drives Return the drive in its original plastic casing or enclosure along with the power adapter. Include the RMA number outside of the box. Please keep all software, manuals and interface cables.

  Note:

  1. Do not dismantle single-drive WD externals. Returning the internal drive from a single-drive WD external will void the warranty and we will return the drive to you.
  2. If you have an internal EIDE or Serial ATA hard drive inside a third party external enclosure, please remove the drive from the enclosure before returning under an RMA. If you ship the defective hard drive inside the third party external enclosure, your product will be returned to you without fulfilling the RMA claim.

• EIDE Drives and Cards Remove and retain all add-on items (i.e., cables, software, adapters, brackets, installation guides and/or rails) prior to shipment. We are not responsible for these items and cannot return them as we only return the items specified on the RMA.

• Only products and quantities authorized will be accepted. If your RMA packing list is in error, please contact Western Digital Customer Support prior to shipment. Please call 1-800-ASK 4 WDC (275-4932).

• Not following these following procedures for packaging Western Digital disk drives for shipment will void the warranty.

• Not following these Packaging Shipping procedures to return Western Digital products will void your warranty. By adhering to these procedures, you will provide the best possible protection for the drive so it is not further damaged in transit.

  Place the drive in the original ESD (electro-static discharge) protective bag prior to shipment. If the ESD bag is not available, please use an equivalent anti-static bag. Use an outer carton that is made of corrugated paper. Do not use chipboard, as it is not strong enough to withstand the rigors of transit. Please make sure the corrugated carton is free from defects and is structurally sound. Note: Returning a WD hard drive in an envelope, will void the warranty.

  The disk drive is a sensitive precision instrument. To protect the drive from shock, you will need to use a cushioning material. Foam may also be used as long as the drive cannot move when box is jolted and foam is covering all sides of the drive. To ensure the drive does not move inside the corrugated carton, make sure that you have secured the drive snugly with the same amount of cushioning on all sides due to the fact the carton could be dropped on any side during shipping.

  When shipping more than one drive in a single carton, ensure that the drives do not touch and they are both cushioned individually. If utilizing foam, a minimum of 2" in all directions should be used. DO NOT USE peanuts or packing material that can shift or settle during transit as they will not support the drive in all directions during shipping. Seal the corrugated carton firmly using adhesive backed tape. Make sure all carton edges are properly sealed to prevent any tearing. Please utilize Western Digital original packaging when available.

• Send your product to the address located on the lower right-hand corner of the RMA form. Retain a record of your RMA number for possible inquiries.

• Your RMA number must be visible on 3 sides of the box. Any package sent in without an RMA number will be returned to you non-repaired. If you have multiple RMA numbers, send them in separate boxes (If you are sending multiple RMA’s in a single Over Pack container, each RMA within the over pack carton, must be, individually, boxed with the specific RMA number associated with that device, written on three sides of the box in bold print. Failing to follow these specific Over Pack instructions may possibly void the warranty and result in the product being returned to you.) All RMA'd product must be shipped via a traceable carrier; no product is permitted to be dropped off at any Western Digital location.

• Please use a traceable carrier(i.e., Airborne, Fed Ex, UPS, U.S. Priority Mail, etc.) when shipping in your product. Customer pays RMA shipping to WD. WD pays shipping to customer. If shipping via a packaging store, make certain that the RMA number is visibly placed on the outside of the package along with your name and return address.

• International Customers: As a convenience to you, the Proforma invoice/packing list provided may be used as a Proforma Invoice for Customs purposes. Please sign and date the form (when applicable) and include with your shipment. WD pays any duties/taxes incurred at Customs for the replacement product. Customer pays any duties/taxes incurred at Customs when shipping direct to WD.

• Customs Requirements:
  • Commercial Invoice/packing slip (It can be hand written)
  • Return Material Authorization Number (RMA)
  • Estimated Value per Hard Drive = $200.00
  • Description (i.e. Model Number)
  • Harmonized Tariff Schedule Number (HTS) = 8471.70.4065
  • The words: "In Warranty Replacement" are printed on the proforma. This acknowledges to customs that the drive is a replacement and not 'new'.
  • Country of Origin. Country of Origin can be determined by matching the first two digits of the serial number with the chart below

    WT	Singapore
    WS	Singapore
    WM	Malaysia
    WR	United States

    (Country of origin is also marked on the label on the top of the drive)

    Note: WD pays any duties/taxes incurred at Customs for the replacement product. Customer pays any duties/taxes incurred at Customs when shipping direct to WD.

• RMA Status: Once you have shipped us your drive, you may check your RMA status online