Seabird

Shipping Instructions

Returning Instruments to Bellevue

shipping crate for returning sea-bird instruments

Use our On-Line Service Request Form to get an RMA number and let us know what instrument(s) you are sending. Include a copy of the form with the instrument when you ship it, and include the RMA number on the outside shipping label.

This page contains information on:

  1. Domestic Shipping
  2. International Shipping Air Freight
  3. International Shipping Express Courier
  4. Important International Shipping Documentation
  5. Instrument Crates
  6. Additional Shipping Information

 

1. DOMESTIC SHIPMENTS (USA) - SHIP PREPAID (via UPS, FedEx, DHL, etc.) directly to:

SEA-BIRD ELECTRONICS
13431 NE 20th Street
Bellevue, Washington 98005, USA

Tel: +1 (425) 643-9866
service@seabird.com

 

2. INTERNATIONAL - AIR FREIGHT

Ship via PREPAID AIR FREIGHT to SEA-TAC INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (IATA CODE "SEA")

In order to claim 9801.00.1012, products of the United States being temporarily returned for repair, download, complete and include the U.S. Customs Declaration Form with your shipment.

SEA-BIRD ELECTRONICS
13431 NE 20th Street
Bellevue, Washington 98005, USA

Tel: +1 (425) 643-9866
service@seabird.com

NOTIFY: Expeditors International for Customs Clearance

Seattle, WA, USA
Telephone: (+1) 206-674-3400

sea-Veralto@expeditors.com

When your shipment is en-route to Sea-Bird, email the flight details, airway bill, Commercial Invoice, packing list, and RMA number to service@seabird.com and Expeditors International (sea-Veralto@expeditors.com).

 

3. INTERNATIONAL - EXPRESS COURIER

Ship via EXPRESS COURIER directly to our Bellevue location.

In order to claim 9801.00.1012, products of the United States being temporarily returned for repair, download, complete and include the U.S. Customs Declaration Form with your shipment.

SEA-BIRD ELECTRONICS
13431 NE 20th Street
Bellevue, Washington 98005, USA

Tel: +1 (425) 643-9866
service@seabird.com

With Express Courier, we recommend shipping via UPS, FedEx, or DHL. 

When your shipment is en-route to Sea-Bird e-mail the airway bill, tracking number, Commercial Invoice, packing list, and RMA Number to service@seabird.com and Expeditors International (sea-Veralto@expeditors.com).

 

4. IMPORTANT INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING DOCUMENTATION

Does Your Instrument have a SATLANTIC Label?
As we are now servicing instruments made at Satlantic, and having a Satlantic label, include a Commercial Invoice showing the description of the instruments, and Value for Customs Purposes Only. Include the following statement depending on what instrument you are sending back

  • SeaFET, Stor-X - "Canadian Goods Returned For Repair/Calibration. Country of Origin: Canada. Customs Code: 9015.80.8080."
  • Suna, ISUS - "Canadian Goods Returned For Repair/Calibration. Country of Origin: Canada. Customs Code: 9015.80.2000."
  • PAR, Radiometer - "Canadian Goods Returned For Repair/Calibration. Country of Origin: Canada. Customs Code: 9027.50.4050."

Does Your Instrument have a SEA-BIRD ELECTRONICS label?

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.

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.

 

5. WOOD INSTRUMENT CRATES

Background

Some 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

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). ISPM 15 regulations require that any wood packaging material be heat treated to the approved standard. Check your local laws for implementation of these regulations.

The American Lumber Standards Committee (ALSC) developed a U.S. standard that meets or exceeds the requirements of ISPM 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.

Since 2007, all wood packaging leaving Sea-Bird for domestic and international shipments of new products meet this standard. Packaging is either:

  • marked with the approved certification stamp, or
  • built entirely of Manufactured Wood Products (such as plywood), and is therefore exempt from the treatment and marking requirements

The United States strongly enforces ISPM 15. If equipment for servicing is sent 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.

 

6. ADDITIONAL SHIPPING INFORMATION