Southwire Steel Reel Policy Effective May 1, 2022
1
Southwire Reel Return Program
For Electrical Distributors, EPC Partners and End Users
Definition of a Returnable Reel
A returnable reel is a reel for which a refundable deposit charge is paid to Southwire at the time of
purchase, or at an arranged, deferred date. Title to returnable reels shall remain in the name of
Southwire.
A returnable reel can be wood or steel with a returnable reel metal tag showing the unique serial
number and Southwire barcode. All other reels without a metal tag are non-returnable.
An example of a returnable reel tag is shown in Appendix A Figure 1.
Plywood reels are NOT returnable and are not charged to customer.
Following are the size restrictions on returnable wood reels (also known as Q reels).
1. Wood reels up to and including 36-inch diameter have no refundable charge and are not
returnable.
2. Wood reels 40-inch diameter and larger are subject to a refundable deposit charge and are
returnable for a 93% deposit refund.
Non returnable reels may returned to the nearest Southwire Recycling Centre on a freight-prepaid
basis upon arrangement with Southwire, provided they are in excellent, re-usable condition. No
credit for these reels will be paid.
General Policies on Returnable Reels
Reel Credit Policy
Reels must be returned with metal tag showing a legible serial number affixed to the reel flange.
Returnable Steel reels returned without an illegible label will not be eligible for a refund.
Customer is responsible for tracking serial number on returned reels. Customer is required to
provide the serial number of the returned reel when deducting on account for reel return. The
serial number must be documented either on the remittance details or on a separate deduction
explanation. In the event a customer cannot provide a serial number, the deduction will be
deemed invalid and chargeback to customer.
Condition of Returned Reels
If a returnable steel reel is sent back to Southwire that is not repairable due to extensive damage,
then no reel deposit charges will be refunded to the customer. If Southwire has not yet invoiced
for the non-repairable reel then it will invoiced to customer for the full value of this reel upon
receipt of the non-repairable reel. All returned reels should be free of nails to ensure safety
during handling and transport.
Southwire Steel Reel Policy Effective May 1, 2022
2
Freight on Returnable Reels
Reels must be returned “freight pre-paid” to one of the Southwire Recycling Centers listed in
Appendix B. If shipments are returned “collect”, then the freight charges will be deducted from the
reel credit.
Recycling Centers
Returns must be accompanied by a packing slip and bill of lading. Questions regarding the return
of reels should be directed to the nearest Southwire Sales Office. Reels can only be returned
directly to a Southwire manufacturing facility with prior approval from the Southwire Canada
Sales Office.
Billing Policy
The terms of the policy on returnable reels differ by the type of reel.
Cash discounts and rebates do not apply to reel charges. Reel charges will be subject to
Harmonized Sales Tax (HST/QST), where applicable. Terms of payment are Net 30, or same as
regular invoices.
Wood Reels
At the time of shipment, all chargeable wood reels will be billed at 100% of their refundable
deposit charge value. See Appendix C for Wood Reel Size and Value Chart.
Customer have up to 24 months (2 years) to return after the ship date. When the reel is returned
to a Southwire designated Recycling Centre, a reel credit will be issued at 93% of the original
refundable deposit charge amount, provided they have no significant damage, and has a label
showing a legible serial number affixed to the reel flange. Returnable reels returned without a
label or with an illegible label will not be eligible for a refund. The refund will be paid to the party
who paid the original refundable charge.
For example, the deposit charge for a 50” wood reel ($420.00) will be invoiced at the date of
shipment of the cable. When the reel is returned to the Southwire recycling center within 2 years
from the ship date, the customer will be credited at $390.60 equals to 93% of the original charge.
Steel Reels
At the time of shipment, Southwire will not invoice customer the value of the steel reel(s).
See Appendix D for Steel Reel Size and Value Chart.
Customer have up to 12 months (1 year) to return after the ship date. When the Steel reel is
returned to a Southwire designated Recycling Centre within one year, no charge will be placed on
customer, provided the returned reels have no significant damage, and has a label showing a
legible serial number affixed to the reel flange. Upon one year after shipment, if the reel has not
been returned, Southwire will invoice for 100% the value of the Steel reel(s).
For example, the deposit charge for a 60��� Steel reel ($1,500.00) will have costs deferred for one
(1) year at the date of shipment of the cable. When the reel is returned to the Southwire
recycling center in the first year, customer is not charged. If the reel is not returned after one
year, customer will be invoiced for $1,500.00, full value of the reel.