Packaging and Shipping Instructions

For Western Digital, HGST, SanDisk Professional and G-Technology Internal and External Hard Disk Drives.

Please note: Warranty will not be honored unless products are correctly packaged as described in the guidelines below.

• Remove all non-Western Digital brackets or Accessories (i.e., cables, software, adapters, dongles, brackets, installation guides and/or rails) prior to shipment. Western Digital will not be held responsible for these items and will not return them.
• For single internal hard disk drives, place the drive in an ESD (Electrostatic Discharge) bag or similar material to prevent ESD. External hard disk drives do not require an ESD bag. What is ESD?
• Wrap the product with 2 inches of bubble wrap or non-movable foam cushioning (Please do not use foam peanuts or shells, packaging pellets, air-bags or newspaper)
• Place the product in a sturdy, good condition corrugated box. Ensure that the product does not shift around.
• Seal the box with packaging tape along all edges of the box.
• Print out the RMA packing slip from your RMA email notification and affix to the box and/or clearly print the RMA number on 3 sides of the return package.
  
• For multiple drives, follow the above steps and ensure that the product does not directly touch each other and cannot move inside the box.

For customers in the United States

• Use a traceable carrier for transport or a signed for service (i.e. UPS, FedEx, DHL, Airborne, USPS Priority Mail, etc.) with the post office with proof of delivery.
• Send your product to the address located on your RMA email notification.
• Retain a record of your RMA number and all tracking/shipping numbers for your records.

For International customers (outside of the United States)

International Customers

As a convenience to you, the Customs invoice (Pro Forma Invoice) or packing list provided may be used for Customs purposes. Please sign and date the form (when applicable) and include it with your shipment. WD pays any duties/taxes incurred at Customs for the replacement product. Customer pays any duties/taxes incurred at Customs and must be sent via incoterm DDP or free domicile when shipping direct to WDC. Please contact your Customs and Excise Authorities regarding any excess Import/Export charges that your country may apply. WD will not pay for these extra charges.

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)
• For Harmonized Tariff Schedule Number (HTS) and Export Commodity Control number, please contact support.
• 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 from the product label on the drive

Latin America customers

Please note: Western Digital is able to service non-restrictive products. Please contact support for more details. Click here.

Mexico

Western Digital products being returned for warranty service can be processed through our return center located in Mexico. Replacement product will ship from the United States.

Brazil

Western Digital products can be returned through our returns facility located in São Paulo, Brazil.

Argentina

Western Digital products can be returned through our returns facility located in Cuidad Autonoma de Buenos Aires. Per government regulations, do not return the power supply as it cannot be returned to you when returning WD external drives.

Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru

For the above countries Western Digital products being returned for warranty service can be processed in the returns facility located in each country.

Uruguay, Paraguay, Venezuela, and Central America

The above countries and for Any Latin America country not listed above, the Western Digital product must be returned through the distributor, reseller and/or the Original Place of Purchase.

• If your product has been deemed defective, please register your product here.
• After registering your product, please select the Request Replacement link on the right-hand side navigation of the portal.
• Before submission, please have the following ready
  • Product code location on SanDisk device
  • Clear pictures of the SanDisk device (front and back with readable serial or product code)
  • Valid proof of purchase (scanned or photo receipt or screen shot of online receipt)
  • Check to ensure your country is support under the “Country” field. If not, please contact Support.
• Complete the form with the details requested and click Submit.
• Upon approval of your warranty Replacement, you will receive 2 emails:
  • Approval information
  • A link to a complimentary UPS label with your return address on it. (USA residents only.)
    • For US resident please print out label as soon as possible as the prepaid return label is only valid for 10 days. Only one label is available per Warranty Replacement.
    • All other countries will be responsible for any expenses incurred in delivering your defective product to a local Western Digital depot. All other expenses in relation to your approved warranty claim will be covered by Western Digital.
• Place the defective product in a padded envelope.

For customers in the United States

For USA resident, affix the prepaid return label to the padded envelope and take to nearest UPS store.

For International customers (outside of the United States)

For all other countries, Use a traceable carrier for transport or a signed for service (i.e. UPS, FedEx, DHL, Airborne, USPS Priority Mail, etc.) with the pot office (European/Canadian customers only) with proof of delivery.

Send your product to the address located on your RMA email notification.

Latin America customers

Warranty Return Material Authorization Procedures for in-warranty products from Western Digital for End Users

Mexico

Western Digital products being returned for warranty service can be processed through our return center located in Mexico.

Brazil

Western Digital products can be returned through our return’s facility located in São Paulo, Brazil.

When two electrically charged objects, such as the human body and an electronic device, in this case, a hard disk drive, come into contact with each other, static electricity is discharged. This phenomenon is called ESD (Electrostatic Discharge). ESD generated from the human body can be of the order of several thousand volts. This high voltage pulse enters the electronic device that is touched, resulting in a malfunction or destruction of the IC circuits inside it. To prevent the destruction of a product or system due to the intrusion of ESD into an electronic device that was touched, it is necessary to install countermeasure components that suppress or remove ESD. This can be achieved by touching a grounded metal object before touching the hard drive. For this Western Digital recommends shipping your product back in an ESD bag.