How to Make a Return with DigiKey

Our Return Policy

In most cases, DigiKey will accept merchandise returns subject to the terms of our full return policy in our Terms and Conditions and will replace the product or refund your money at your option. Merchandise and products purchased from third parties and not from DigiKey directly are not eligible for return, refund, or exchange.

DigiKey requires customers to obtain an RMA (Returned Merchandise Authorization) number prior to returning a product. For products shipped from DigiKey, returns must be made within 60 days of the invoice date, while returns for products shipped from a Marketplace vendor must be made within 30 days of the invoice date. All returns must be in the original packaging, unused and like-new condition.

  • Returns relating to manufacturers’ warranties are subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable manufacturer’s warranty and the applicable manufacturer’s return policies for the product (e.g., some products may require return directly to the manufacturer). Please contact a Customer Service Representative or call 1-800-344-4539 and ask for customer service for details and help with that process.
  • To the extent that DigiKey purchases a product from a manufacturer specifically for you, such products may be Non-Cancellable/Non-Returnable.
  • Parts specified as “Non-Cancellable/Non-Returnable” at time of quote or sale are not returnable, including products designated as Chip Outpost Products, except for the Chip Outpost Limited Warranty.
Chip Outpost Limited Warranty
  • Chip Outpost Limited Warranty. This limited warranty applies only to Products designated by DigiKey, on the Site or otherwise, as Chip Outpost products (the “Chip Outpost Products”). If you elect to purchase any Chip Outpost Product, DigiKey warrants solely to the original purchaser of the Chip Outpost Product from DigiKey, that the Chip Outpost Product will be free from defects in materials and workmanship for three (3) years from the original invoice date of such Chip Outpost Product (the “Chip Outpost Limited Warranty Period”). The limited warranty does not apply to any product:

    • That has been subject to abuse, misuse (including, without limitation, static discharge), neglect, accident or modification,
    • Is otherwise not capable of being tested,
    • Has been installed in an unsuitable installation environment for the product,
    • Has been used for purposes other than for which it was designed,
    • Has been damaged by fire, flood, wind, lightening or similar causes.
  • Exercising this Limited Warranty. As your exclusive remedy for any breach of this limited warranty, DigiKey shall promptly, at DigiKey’s option:

    • Replace any Chip Outpost Product that does not conform to this limited warranty

    or

    • Refund to you the purchase price of the defective Chip Outpost Product.

    However, these remedies are conditioned on your returning the Chip Outpost Product during the Chip Outpost Limited Warranty Period, or within ten (10) days thereafter, along with a written description of the claimed defect(s), in accordance with DigiKey’s Return Policy.

  • Third Party Testing. DigiKey reserves the right to have an independent third party examine and test any Chip Outpost Product that is allegedly defective to determine whether such product is, in fact, defective. The conclusion of such independent third party shall be conclusive, final and binding on you and DigiKey.


Making a Return

The first step in our return process is to obtain a Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA). Please obtain the RMA before returning the product. We cannot process returns that do not have an RMA.

  • To start the RMA process, enter your email, invoice number, country/region, and your postal code and click continue (as seen below).

  • You will then select which items on the invoice you will be returning and list the reason (as seen below).

  • You will then select how you would like to pay for the return, return freight charges must be prepaid or deducted from the invoice credit (as seen below).

  • After these selections are made click the Request Return Authorization button (as seen below).


Reasons for Making a Return.

  • Received wrong product or quantity

  • Damaged or defective product

  • Product was received too late

  • Ordered wrong part or quantity (may be subject to a restocking fee)

  • Product no longer needed (may be subject to a restocking fee)

All returned products are subject to inspection and we may send a returned product back to the customer, at our discretion, if DigiKey rejects the return due to customer error or the lack of a quality issue.

All electrostatic discharge (“ESD”) sensitive devices returned to DigiKey may undergo incoming inspection, utilizing DigiKey’s ESD work instructions and the most recent version of the ANSI/ESD S20.20 standard published by the American National Standard Institute and EOS/ESD Association, Inc. An ESD product that has not been handled properly according to the standard will not be eligible for credit or refund.

Highly static sensitive parts are exempt from being returned if they have been opened unless it is a due to a DigiKey error or the product is defective.

For refrigerated products, return product in accordance with part requirements. If parts do not return in unused like new condition parts will be declined for return and credit.


How do I package my return?

All returns must have the OLPN sticker included in the return. This number is connected to the date and lot code and other information that is essential in maintaining traceability of the product and to help prevent counterfeit parts from being introduced into our inventory. For a breakdown of what the numbers mean on our OLPN please see: DigiKey Product Labels - The Anatomy of the Label

OLPN Label

  • All returns should be repackaged in the original packaging you received them in.
  • All returns that were shipped to you in a manufacturer’s box must be returned in that box or they are not eligible for return as they are no longer in manufacturing packaging/new condition.
Regular Parts - Original Packaging Static Sensitive Parts - Original Packaging Moisture Sensitive Parts - Original Packaging
Refrigerated Parts - Original Packaging

Repackaging Regular Parts

  • To return regular parts, if the package was opened before the issue was known, such as with damaged parts, place the parts back into any cardboard, foam, tubes, trays, or bubble wrap that was used to protect them and tape securely. Then place the secured parts back into the manufacturer box they came in and then place in the blue poly bag, if they did not come in a manufacturer box then place directly into the blue poly bag. Ensure the bag is completely zipped closed and return it and any packaging to the original shipping box and seal it.
Properly repackaged regular parts


Repackaging Static Sensitive Parts

  • To return static sensitive parts follow the same procedure as for regular parts, but use static sensitive tape and the static shielding bag the parts came in. Tray parts that are static sensitive must be banded using static sensitive banding and equipment. Make sure the shielding bag is completely sealed to ensure proper protection and then fold over and tape the top down. Return the parts and any packaging to the original shipping box and seal it.
Properly repackaged static sensitive parts


Repackaging Moisture Sensitive Parts

  • To prevent damage to the parts, all moisture sensitive products must be in a moisture barrier bag with a desiccant pack and a humidity indicator card included (first pic below). Tray parts must also have the bands on them replaced if they were cut, if the parts are static sensitive as well as moisture sensitive, banding and the equipment used to apply it must be static sensitive (second pic below).
Required items for returning moisture sensitive parts
  • To return moisture sensitive parts, place parts back into any foam, trays, tubes, or bubble wrap that was used to protect them and band or tape securely. Return the secured parts, the desiccant, and the humidity indicator card to the moisture barrier bag and secure it with a heat sealer. Inspect the seal to ensure it is completely sealed for proper protection. Return the parts and any packaging to the original shipping box and seal it.
Properly repackaged moisture sensitive parts

MSL - Properly resealed


Repackaging Refrigerated Parts

  • To repackage refrigerated parts please see instructions for regular parts, except use the insulated bag they were shipped in and make sure the cold pack is refrozen and included in the bag with the parts (as seen below). Fold over the top of the insulated bag and secure with tape. Return the parts and any packaging to the original shipping box and seal it.
Properly Repackaged Refrigerated Parts (before bag is sealed)

Refrigerated Parts - Properly Repackaged


Improperly Repackaged Parts

  • Returns we receive that are not properly repackaged may no longer be eligible for return or replacement, at our discretion, after inspection.
Improperly repackaged parts
  • Example 1 - Regular Parts - At first glance these parts might appear to be packaged correctly, however, the contents in the bag came in a manufacturers box, that was then placed in the bag. Returns must include all original packaging, including manufacturer boxes as noted at the beginning of the “How do I package my return?” section of this document.
  • Example 2 - Static Sensitive Parts - These parts were thrown into a bag and not put back into the protective tube they came in. Returns must be packed in the same protective packaging they arrive in to prevent damage during shipping.
  • Example 3 - Moisture Sensitive Parts - This bag was left unsealed; all moisture sensitive parts must be heat sealed before returning.

Where do I send the product I am returning?

  • Certain products shipped directly from suppliers must be returned to the supplier after obtaining the RMA number from DigiKey.

  • Upon obtaining an RMA number you will be instructed where to return the product.

After the parts have been resealed and returned to the shipping box, remove any previous tracking information from the shipping box and then:

  • If you chose to have the shipping deducted from your credit during the RMA process a return shipping label will be sent to you from DigiKey. Apply it to the package and ship it through the appropriate carrier.

  • If you chose to pay the shipping costs during the RMA process, please address the package to DigiKey or the supplier if instructed to do so. Ship the package using the carrier of your choice.

DigiKey Shipping Address

DigiKey
Put your RMA number on this line
602 125th Avenue South,
Thief River Falls, MN 56701


Our Return Agreement

By returning any product to DigiKey or a supplier (as applicable), you represent and warrant that the returned product was purchased through a DigiKey site and is not counterfeit or otherwise non-conforming.

You acknowledge that counterfeit products are not eligible for return, refund, or exchange, and that DigiKey does not accept any counterfeit products. You also agree that DigiKey or supplier (as applicable) may test any returned product to determine whether such product is counterfeit, non-conforming, or otherwise violates these Conditions of Order.

In the event DigiKey or supplier suspects or determines, in its sole discretion, that any returned product, including, without limitation, any electronic components, assemblies, supplies, and equipment contained therein, is counterfeit, non-conforming, or otherwise violates these Conditions of Order, DigiKey or supplier may:

  • Report such problem to any applicable governmental or regulatory agency or any other applicable third party.

  • Quarantine such product for further testing or other analysis without providing any replacement product or refund until such time as a determination about the product’s conformance to these Conditions of Order can be made.

  • If such product is determined to be counterfeit, quarantine such product for a period of five (5) years, or longer if required by applicable law, and after the applicable quarantine period, irreversibly alter such product so as to render the product, including the internal elements physically unusable.

  • Take such other actions as may be required or permitted under applicable law and DigiKey’s counterfeit avoidance policy.

In the event you send DigiKey any counterfeit product, you will be liable for all costs, expenses, and damages related thereto, and you agree to indemnify DigiKey against any claims and damages, including attorneys’ fees and costs, related to such counterfeit product(s).

1 Like