ATTENTION:
GENERAL MANAGER
PARTS MANAGER
CLAIMS PERSONNEL
SERVICE MANAGER

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IMPORTANT - All
Service Personnel
Should Read and
Initial in the boxes
provided, right.

SERVICE BULLETIN
APPLICABILITY:

All Vehicle Lines / All Model Years

SUBJECT: Catalytic Converter Revised Shipping
Procedure

NUMBER:
DATE:
REVISED:

09-51-08R
03/14/08
05/29/13

INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this bulletin is to advise of SOA’s revised Catalytic Converter Recycling Program
shipping procedure.
Since 2012 100% of all converters shipped from the RDC’s are packaged in boxes. Saving and
re-using those boxes for the return shipment is practical from many perspectives including reducing
costs and generation of waste. While less than 10% of all pipes returned to SOA are shipped “loose”
(no packaging), UPS charges SOA a surcharge on all return shipments for these few exceptions. As
a result “Loose” shipping of catalytic converter pipes is no longer an acceptable practice. Upon
claim approval, dealers will receive a Part Return Notice for all converter pipes. The proper revised
procedure for returning these converter pipes is described below. Please review closely as improper
shipping procedures may result in additional shipping charges that will be passed on to the
dealer.

PARTS/MATERIAL NEEDED
•

ARS pre-printed UPS shipping label.
- Orders can be made by the dealer through the parts ordering system using part
number MSA5W0307A.
- These pre-printed labels are only valid for use on catalytic converter returns.

•

Subaru Warranty Parts Tag part number MSA5W402A.

•

Miscellaneous common shipping material. (i.e.: Tape/Staples/Packing Paper)

•

Box from received converter shipment or equivalent

SOA will issue a Part Return Request for all catalytic converters requested. It is important the dealer
send the catalytic converters to the address listed in the “ship to” box by means of the pre-printed
ARS label (P/N MSA5W0307A). Subaru Warranty Parts Tag and a legible copy of the repair order
that includes detailed technician comments are mandatory for each part returned. Any part(s)
received without all the required information will be subject to a claim debit for the full amount of the
claim.
The dealer is required to package the catalytic converter in a shipping box. Any catalytic converter
returned “loose” or damaged to the extent they cannot be processed due to improper packaging are
subject to debit, regardless of the reason
Continued...
CAUTION: VEHICLE SERVICING PERFORMED BY UNTRAINED PERSONS COULD
RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY TO THOSE PERSONS OR TO OTHERS.
Subaru Service Bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians ONLY. They
are written to inform those technicians of conditions that may occur in some vehicles, or
to provide information that could assist in the proper servicing of the vehicle. Properly
trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how
to do the job correctly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that this
Service Bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition.

Bulletin Number: 09-51-08R; Date: 05/29/13

SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. IS
“ISO 14001 COMPLIANT”
The international standard for excellence
in Environmental Management Systems.
Please recycle or dispose of automotive
products in a manner that is friendly to our
environment and in accordance with all
local, state and federal laws and regulations.

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PREPARATION FOR SHIPPING
NOTE: One converter/pipe equals one ARS shipping label. Multiple converters/pipes should
never be packaged together. Parts must be unbolted and separated before shipping.
•

Attach a completed Subaru Warranty Parts Tag to the converter/pipe.

•

Place the Parts Return Notice and a legible copy of the Repair Order inside the shipping
box or in a clear plastic shipping pouch on the outside of the shipping box.

•

Add dealer address information and repair order number to the ARS label as shown below.

•

Document the ARS tracking number in an internal log for proof of shipment or attach the
self adhesive tracking strip at the bottom of the ARS label directly to the hard copy of the
Repair Order

•

Place the self adhesive UPS pre-printed ARS label on the shipping box. Use caution to
position the label to avoid excessive creasing in the bar code. Place the prepared part in
the outgoing shipping location ready for the next available UPS driver.

Dealer Name and Address

VIN and Repair Order Number
VIN, Repair Order Number & Ship Date

Continued...
Bulletin Number: 09-51-08R; Date: 05/29/13

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SPECIAL INFORMATION REGARDING DEBITED CLAIMS:
•

Debits must be appealed in writing through Service Claims Section using proper
documentation. (See Section 13.7 of the Subaru Claims Policies and Procedures Manual)
Separate UPS tracking numbers for EACH converter pipe must be included. Please
include a contact name at the dealership on the appeal form.

•

In cases where the converter pipe is still at the dealership at the time the appeal is filed, do
not return the pipe unless you are contacted by SOA with return instruction. If notified by
SOA that an adjustment or debit will be reversed based on the return of a converter pipe,
the dealer will have 10 calendar days to ship the pipe to the PCC. Failure to return the
converter pipe within 10 calendar days may result in denial of the appeal.

CHARGES FOR IMPROPER SHIPPING
Improper use of correct shipping methods will result in the claim being partially debited for
those cost as outlined below.
“Loose” Converter Shipment

Debit of total claim amount

Damaged Converter due to insufficient
packaging

Debit of total claim amount

Part not returned within prescribed time limits

Debit of total claim amount

Use of ARS label on part other than catalytic
converter

Partial Debit for $20.00 per
occurrence

Use of UPS third party billing to return catalytic
converter

Partial Debit for $40.00 per pipe

Use of shipping company other than UPS to
ship converter

Partial Debit of total shipping costs

In order to maintain the integrity of SOA’s contract agreement with UPS, it is imperative
that the above procedure is followed completely. Failure to properly follow the shipping
procedure outline above may result in additional charges that will be passed on to the dealer.

Bulletin Number: 09-51-08R; Date: 05/29/13

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