Before sending any shipment to HitachiGST, you MUST secure a Return Material Authorization (RMA) approval. Any shipment received without an RMA will be returned to you un-repaired at your cost.

HitachiGST must receive your product within 30 days of RMA issue, or your RMA will be cancelled.

Product Inspection Checklist

Inspect your product thoroughly as all warranty claims will be voided if product is received with the following:

• Foreign material on the product (e.g., adhesive, oil, dirt, gum)
• Damaged, modified, opened or dented product
• Damaged during transport as a result of improper packaging
• Missing parts (e.g., screws, interface cards, etc.)
• Evidence of tampering (e.g. broken seals, labels removed or torn), except
  work performed by data recovery service
• Covered breather holes
• Product shipped without proper ESD (Electro-Static Discharge) protection
  (Internal hard disk drives only)

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.

For HitachiGST External Hard Disk Drives

SimpleTech Products

• DO send the External Drive Assembly
• DO send the power adapter
• DO send interface cables (USB), software or manuals

Life Studio Products

• DO send the identified defective part, please keep all other working parts
• Replacement will be for identified defective part number only.

G-Technology Products

• Do Send the External Drive Assembly
• DO send the power adapter
• DO send interface cables (USB, Fire wire), software or manuals

For HitachiGST Internal Hard Disk Drives

Mobile, Desktop and Enterprise Internal Hard Disk Drives

• DO send the bare drive only
• DO NOT send adapters, controller cards, literature, mounting brackets, slide rails or software     
• HitachiGST is not responsible for these accessories, they cannot be returned.

Packaging

Please use the original packaging when possible in returning your product. Use the following approved packaging guidelines as applicable:

• Enclose each Hard Disk Drive in an anti-static electrostatic discharge (ESD) bag. (Excludes External Hard Disk Drives)
• Use 2 inch thick foam cushioning to secure the product on all sides during the shipment. When shipping more than one product, ensure that the products do not touch and are cushioned individually
• DO NOT use foam peanuts, cloth, paper or newspaper or padded envelopes (LifeStudio spare parts, key, power adapter or dock may be shipped in padded envelope)
• Use a corrugated cardboard box for the exterior packaging
• Use of a traceable carrier (e.g.,UPS, FedEx, DHL, USPS) that can provide proof of delivery is strongly recommended.

Address Labels and Multiple Boxes

The address label from your RMA email notification 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 your package when returning.

Please write your RMA number on three sides of your package when returning your product to HitachiGST.

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

How to Order Packaging for your Hard Disk Drive

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.

About Your Replacement Product

You will NOT receive your original product back, but rather a replacement unit with the balance of the warranty period or 90 days, whichever is greater. All data on your returned drive(s) will be lost and any Data Recovery service must be completed before requesting a RMA from HitachiGST.