When a cloud box subscription ends, Alibaba Cloud reclaims the hardware. If you no longer need the cloud box before it expires, you can apply for an early return. This topic covers both end-of-term reclamation and the early return process, including how refunds and price differences are calculated.
End-of-term reclamation
If you do not renew a cloud box after it expires, Alibaba Cloud reclaims the hardware.
Alibaba Cloud notifies you by email, text message, and site message in the console 30 days before expiry. Back up your data and delete it from the cloud box before the expiry date.
After expiry, Alibaba Cloud engineers coordinate with you on a removal schedule. The cloud box is then shipped to an Alibaba Cloud data center for recycling and data cleaning.
Early return
Return process
Contact Alibaba Cloud to apply for a return at any point before the subscription expires. The process has three steps:
A cloud box may contain multiple racks. Return the cloud box as a whole unit.
Contact Alibaba Cloud to apply for a return.
Calculate the refund or price difference based on the refund rules below.
Refund: Alibaba Cloud engineers coordinate with you on a removal schedule. The refund is issued within 15 business days after the cloud box is removed and shipped to an Alibaba Cloud data center.
Price difference: Alibaba Cloud engineers coordinate with you on a removal schedule. Pay the price difference within 15 business days after the cloud box is removed and shipped to an Alibaba Cloud data center.
Remove the cloud box.
Before the cloud box is removed, back up and delete your data. Alibaba Cloud performs data cleaning after the hardware is returned to an Alibaba Cloud data center.
Refund rules
The outcome depends on whether the amount you paid exceeds the fees for resources consumed during the usage period.
Refund (paid amount > consumed fees): Refund = Paid amount − Fees for consumed resources
Price difference (consumed fees > paid amount): Price difference = Fees for consumed resources − Paid amount
Key definitions:
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Paid amount | The actual cash you paid for the order. Amounts offset by vouchers are excluded. |
| Fees for consumed resources | Fixed fee of the order + Monthly average price × Usage duration × Discount on usage duration |
| Monthly average price | Total order amount ÷ Usage duration in years ÷ 12 |
| Usage duration | Starts when you place the order and complete acceptance; ends when you apply for a return. If the duration is less than one month, it is rounded up to one month. |
The following table shows the discounts applied based on usage duration.
| Usage duration | Discount | Multiplier |
|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | None | ×1.0 |
| More than 1 year but less than 3 years | 15% off | ×0.85 |
| More than 3 years but less than 5 years | 30% off | ×0.70 |