Packaging Instructions

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

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

All HGST products must be returned with secure and sufficient packaging to protect the products from possible damage during transit. Your warranty may be voided if product(s) is received as a result of inadequate packaging.

Acceptable Packaging

Before returning hard disk drives to HGST under warranty, consult this page and the unacceptable packaging page.

All of the following examples keep the hard drive from moving around inside the shipping box and protect the hard drive during shipment. Use of thick foam rubber supporting all four sides of the hard drive enclosed in a corrugated cardboard box is typically considered good packaging.

Also, the hard drive must be placed inside of an anti-static electro-static discharge (ESD) bag before being placed in the shipping box.

Acceptable Packaging for Single Drives

Plastic Spacers
Use plastic spacers on each end of the hard drive. Position the hard drive in the center of the box to protect all four sides. (This packaging is sometimes referred to as a GeoSprings Kit.)

Foam Rubber Block
You may use a foam rubber block with special cutout section for the hard drive. All four sides of the hard drive should be protected by foam rubber.

Acceptable Packaging for Multiple Drives

Use a rubber block with special cutout sections for returning multiple hard drives. All four sides of each hard drive should be protected by foam rubber.

Unacceptable Packaging

Using packaging that is not acceptable will void your warranty. The following examples show unacceptable packaging when returning hard disk drives to HGST (HGST) under warranty. Packaging that is not acceptable includes use of bubble wrap, Styrofoam peanuts, paper, newspaper, cloth, or padded shipping envelopes. Additionally, non-qualified shipping containers like Styrofoam or cardboard dividers, or non-approved plastic or Styrofoam clam-shell containers are considered unacceptable packaging.

**Unacceptable Packaging**
Use of padded shipping envelope is not considered acceptable packaging.

**Unacceptable Packaging**
While proper foam rubber block with special cutout section for the hard drive was used, the hard drive was not enclosed in an anti-static electro-static discharge (ESD) bag.

**Unacceptable Packaging**
Use of bubble wrap is not considered acceptable packaging.

**Unacceptable Packaging**
Use of Styrofoam peanuts is not considered acceptable packaging.

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)

Please use HGST 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 HGST External Hard Disk Drives

Please send back with your RMA:
External Drive Assembly
Power adapter
All interface cables that came with your product (USB, FireWire, Mini-SAS. Thunderbolt cable if included in product)

Life Studio Products
Please only send back the defective part that was RMAed. Keep all other working parts
Replacement will be for identified defective part number only

For HGST Internal Hard Disk Drives

Mobile, Desktop and Enterprise Internal Hard Disk Drives
Return only the bare drive in an electro-static discharge (ESD) bag
Keep all adapters, controller cards, literature, mounting brackets, slide rails or software
HGST is not responsible for these accessories, they cannot be returned.

Packaging for All Products

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

For bare hard disk drives, enclose 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.

The use of non-approved packaging may void your warranty.

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 HGST.

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).

About Your Replacement Product

You will receive 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 erased, if possible, or the unit will be destroyed. Please seek data recover if desired, before requesting a RMA from HGST.

Packaging Instructions

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