Shipping
Instructions for Returning GoodsShipping
Instructions for Returning Goods
Please obtain a Returned Materials Authorization (RMA) number from Sea-Bird before sending instruments to Sea-Bird for servicing. Include the RMA number on the outside shipping label and on the documentation (Service Request Form or other document detailing work to be performed) inside the box.
Please read instructions on:
1. DOMESTIC SHIPMENTS (USA) - SHIP PREPAID (via UPS, FedEx, DHL, etc.) directly to:
New Address (as of January 2010; click here for directions):
SEA-BIRD ELECTRONICS, INC.
13431 NE 20th Street
Bellevue, Washington 98005
USA
Telephone: (425) 643-9866
Fax: (425) 643-9954
2. INTERNATIONAL SHIPMENTS
Option A -- Ship via PREPAID AIRFREIGHT to SEA-TAC INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (IATA CODE "SEA"):
Option B -- Ship via EXPRESS COURIER directly to Sea-Bird Electronics
New Address (as of January 2010; click here for directions):
SEA-BIRD ELECTRONICS, INC.
13431 NE 20th Street
Bellevue, Washington 98005
USA
Telephone: (425) 643-9866
Fax: (425) 643-9954If you choose this option, we recommend shipping via UPS, FedEx, or DHL. Their service is door-to-door, including customs clearance. It is not necessary to notify our customs agent, MTI Worldwide, if you ship using a courier service.
Please e-mail the airway bill / tracking number to seabird@seabird.com when your shipment is en-route to Sea-Bird. Include your RMA number in the e-mail.
FOR ALL INTERNATIONAL SHIPMENTS:
Include a Commercial Invoice showing the description of the instruments,
and Value
for Customs Purposes Only. Include the following statement:
"U.S. Goods Returned For Repair/Calibration. Country of Origin: USA.
Customs Code: 9801001012."
Failure to include this statement in your invoice will result in U.S. Customs assessing
duties on the shipment, which we will in turn pass on to the customer/shipper.
Background
Several years ago, emergency measures for coniferous (soft wood) Non-Manufactured Wood Packing Materials (NMWP), also referred to as Solid Wood Packing Materials (SWPM), went into effect in China and the European Union (EU). These measures, applicable to all wood crates, pallets, skids, drums, cases, etc., were designed to prevent the introduction of the pinewood nematode, a microscopic eelworm that has caused extensive mortality in pines in Japan and China. These measures applied to all coniferous woods in shipments originating from the United States, Canada, China, and Japan.
In response to those regulations, Sea-Bird substituted mahogany (a tropical hardwood that was exempt from the regulations), or Manufactured Wood Product such as plywood (also exempt from the regulations), for the fir previously used for the edges of our crates.
Regulations Taking Effect in 2004
In 2002, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations published "International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures, Publication #15, Guidelines for Regulating Wood Packaging Material in International Trade" (ISPM 15). The world community is moving towards implementing these regulations. Different countries announced various dates through 2004 when they would start enforcing rules based on ISPM 15. The ISPM 15 regulations require that any wood packaging material be heat treated to the approved standard. Check your local laws for implementation dates of these regulations.
See http://www.aphis.usda.gov/lpa/pubs/ia_ph_wpm.html for a U.S. government website that provides details on U.S. and overseas regulations.
See http://www.nwpca.com/_INTLRegulations/ISPM15CountryUpdate.htm for a list of regulation adoption dates by various countries.
The American Lumber Standards Committee (ALSC) developed a U.S. standard that meets or exceeds the requirements of ISPM 15 (International Standards for Phytosanitary Measure 15). Packaging that meets the requirements of ALSC is marked with the ALSC stamp on a minimum of two opposing faces of the completed packaging product.
Starting May 1, 2004, all packaging leaving Sea-Bird for international shipments of new products meets the new standards and is either:
By early 2007, Sea-Bird used up inventories of existing non-compliant boxes, and switched to using approved packaging for all shipments (including in the U.S.) using wood boxes.
Beginning June 1, 2004, the United States started enforcing ISPM 15. If a customer tries to send in equipment for servicing in a non-approved wood box, it may not be allowed into the U.S. If it does reach Sea-Bird, we will return the instrument in a new crate that meets the requirements of ISPM 15. We will charge $50 to $150 for the replacement crate, based on the crate type. These prices are valid only for crate replacement required in conjunction with return of a customer's instrument after servicing, and only when the instrument was shipped in a crate originally supplied by Sea-Bird.