After a cloud box expires, Alibaba Cloud reclaims the cloud box. If you no longer need to use a cloud box before it expires, you can apply for a return. This topic describes the return methods of cloud boxes.
Do not renew a cloud box that expires
If you do not renew a cloud box after it expires, Alibaba Cloud reclaims the cloud box.
- Alibaba Cloud notifies you by email, text message, and site message in the console 30 days before the cloud box is about to expire. You must back up your data and delete the data from the cloud box.
- After the cloud box expires, Alibaba Cloud engineers negotiate with you about when to remove the cloud box. After the cloud box is removed, it is shipped to an Alibaba Cloud data center for recycling and data cleaning.
Return a cloud box before it expires
If you no longer need to use a cloud box before it expires, you can contact Alibaba Cloud to return the cloud box. The return process involves the following steps:
Note A cloud box may contain multiple racks. You must return the cloud box as a whole.
- Contact Alibaba Cloud to apply for a return.
- Calculate the amount of refund based on refund rules.
- If a refund is issued to you, the following rule applies: Alibaba Cloud engineers negotiate with you about when to remove the cloud box. The refund is complete within 15 business days after the cloud box is removed and shipped to an Alibaba Cloud data center.
- If you are asked to pay the price difference, the following rule applies: Alibaba Cloud engineers negotiate with you about when to remove the cloud box. You need to 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.
The amount of refund or price difference is calculated based on the paid amount of the order and the fees for consumed resources. If the paid amount is greater than the fees for consumed resources, Alibaba Cloud issues a refund to you. Otherwise, you need to pay the price difference. The following formulas show how to calculate the amount of refund and price difference: Amount of refund = Paid amount - Fees for consumed resources. Amount of price difference = Fees for consumed resources - Paid amount.
- The paid amount refers to the actual amount that you paid for the order by cash. The amount that is offset by vouchers is not included in the paid amount.
- Fees for consumed resources = Fixed fee of the order + Monthly average price of the cloud box × Usage duration of the cloud box × Discount on the usage duration. Note The fees for consumed resources are calculated based on the number of months for which the cloud box was used. If the usage duration is less than one month, it is rounded up to one month.