Thanks for the reply Boris. I asked the lady at the post office and she said it is just logical that I won't pay VAT a second time but she cannot be sure (what with the changes in the UK VAT this January so I hope I get the eDGe back before the VAT increase takes effect). I also emailed the UK customs and received a reply coached in bureaucratic legalese so I can't be sure if it's a Yes or a No to my question: Do I pay VAT for replacement product?

I tracked the parcel with the US postal service and it is now on its way to be delivered to Foxconn, the RMA facility in California. I hope I'll get an email from the RMA people early next week.

Happy holidays to all!