How to Send
Us Your Tapes

Get a quote first, then follow this guide to package your tapes safely. DAT tapes are resilient, but transit can be rough — packaging matters.

Step by Step

01

Contact us first

Submit your quote request via the contact form. We will reply within one business day with a confirmed quote and the shipping address. Do not send tapes before receiving our address by email.

02

Package your tapes

Follow the packaging guidelines on this page carefully. Tapes that arrive damaged due to inadequate packaging cannot be processed, and we cannot accept responsibility for transit damage.

03

Include a note inside the box

Place a piece of paper inside the package with your full name, email address, the service you requested, and the number of tapes enclosed. This helps us match your parcel to your order immediately.

04

Ship with tracking

Always use a tracked and insured shipping service. Send us the tracking number by email once dispatched. We will confirm receipt within one business day of delivery.

05

We return everything

Once the job is complete and payment is received, we ship your original tapes back together with your new media. Return shipping is at the customer's cost and will be agreed upon beforehand.

We can receive from any courier. These are the most common options from within Europe:

CTT DHL DPD GLS FedEx UPS Correos Royal Mail

Using a courier not listed? No problem — contact us and we'll confirm.

Pack Them
Properly

1 — Bag each tape individually
Place each tape in its original case if available, then in a zip-lock bag or anti-static bag to protect against moisture and dust. Never stack bare tapes against each other.
2 — Wrap in bubble wrap
Wrap each bagged tape in at least two layers of bubble wrap and secure with tape. The reel mechanism is sensitive to impact — generous padding is not overkill.
3 — Use a rigid cardboard box
Place wrapped tapes inside a sturdy corrugated cardboard box. Do not use padded envelopes — they offer almost no impact protection for rigid media.
4 — Fill all empty space
Fill any gaps with packing peanuts, crumpled paper, or additional bubble wrap. Tapes must not be able to move or rattle inside the box during transit.
5 — Label the outside
Write "FRAGILE — MAGNETIC MEDIA" clearly on at least two sides of the box. This is not a guarantee, but it does reduce rough handling by couriers.
6 — Keep away from magnets
Do not pack tapes alongside speakers, magnetic clasps, or other magnetic items. Magnetic fields can corrupt tape data irreversibly — even through a closed box.
Insurance strongly recommended. RIPDat is not responsible for tapes lost or damaged in transit. We strongly recommend insuring your shipment for the value of the data it contains. Most couriers offer declared-value insurance at a small additional cost.
Request a Quote & Get the Address