Before sending any shipment to Hitachi Global Storage Technologies, you must secure a return material authorization (RMA) approval. Any shipment received without an RMA will be returned to you at your cost.

Hitachi Global Storage Technologies must receive your hard disk drive within 30 days of RMA issuance, or your RMA will be cancelled.

Packaging Basics

Return the hard drive in its original Hitachi packaging, if possible.

If not possible, use Hitachi Global Storage Technologies-approved protective packaging or any packaging that provides equivalent protection to ship your hard disk drive(s). Consult our acceptable packaging and unacceptable packaging guides.

Hard disk drive(s) returned without following Hitachi Global Storage Technologies-approved packaging guidelines may be rejected and the warranty voided.

Hard Disk Drive Inspection Checklist

No visible physical damage should be found on the hard drive:

• Foreign material on the hard disk drive (e.g., adhesive, oil, dirt, gum)
• Damaged covers
• Dents of any kind
• Missing parts (e.g., screws, interface cards, etc.)
• Evidence of tampering (e.g. broken seals), except work performed by data recovery services.
• Covered breather holes

If there are non-Hitachi Global Storage Technologies or IBM labels on the drive, the hard drive will not be accepted if the label is located on the following areas:

• On the breather hole or air vents
• Anywhere on the card surface
• Over the serial number, part number, or any other product identification information on the hard drive
• Exception: labels from data recovery services will be accepted

Packaging Checklist

• Hitachi Global Storage Technologies strongly recommends shipping your return via registered/certified mail or with a carrier that provides a tracking number.
• Use the following guidelines as applicable:

  • Hitachi hard drive:
    • If you were using the hard drive inside another device or 3rd party USB enclosure (not manufactured by Hitachi), remove it from the device and return ONLY the hard drive.
    • DO NOT send the drive in its mounting brackets, side rails, external casing or with any type of adapter, cable or converter.
    • Remove accessories and spare parts, and return bare drive(s) only. Hitachi is not responsible for accessories. Accessories cannot be returned to you.

  • Hitachi-branded External USB Storage (as pictured below):
        
    • DO send the complete external drive unit to Hitachi (opening the unit will void the warranty).
    • DO send the power adapter along with the external drive to Hitachi.
    • DO NOT send the USB cable.
  • Hitachi-branded Portable USB Storage (as pictured below):
      
    
    • DO send the complete external drive unit to Hitachi (opening the unit will void the warranty).
    • DO NOT send the USB cable.
  • Notebook Upgrade Kit:
    • DO NOT send the interface cables.
  • Microdrive:
    • DO NOT send adapters or carrying cases.
• Enclose each hard drive in an anti-static electrostatic discharge (ESD) bag and seal. This is not required for Hitachi-branded USB Storage devices. If available, use a wrist ground strap at all times and handle the hard drive carefully.
• Use thick foam rubber to secure the hard drive on all sides during shipment or use a GeoSprings kit (a specially-approved box with plastic spacers). When shipping more than one hard drive, ensure that the hard drives do not touch and are cushioned individually.
• DO NOT use foam peanuts, bubble wrap, cloth, paper, newspaper or padded envelopes.
• Use a corrugated cardboard box for the exterior packaging.

Address Labels and Multiple Boxes

The address label from your RMA notification email can be cut and taped to the outside of each box to be used as a mailing label. Otherwise, clearly write all shipping information and the RMA number on each box for faster processing.

Clearly mark the RMA number on the outside of each box and on any shipping invoices enclosed.

Multiple RMAs may be shipped in one shipment, provided that each RMA is individually packaged and marked within the box along with all RMA numbers listed on the outside of the box(es).

How to Order Packaging for Your Hard Disk Drive Return

Some companies that provide packaging materials for hard drives are:

• Western Industries Corporation Supplies – North American Region offers packaging for shipping 3.5-inch hard disk drives.
  

All information is provided by Hitachi Global Storage Technologies on an "AS IS" basis only. Hitachi makes no representations or warranties, whether express or implied, regarding the information, including the warranty of non-infringement and non-interference and the implied warranty or terms of merchantability, and fitness or use for a particular purpose.

All packaging vendors mentioned here are independent of Hitachi Global Storage Technologies (Hitachi GST). Any references to third parties are provided as reference only and are not recommendations of any products by Hitachi GST. Hitachi GST makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these companies or products.