IC Shipping Tubes
IC Shipping Tubes are extruded plastic channels designed to protect electronic components during transport and storage, preventing electrostatic discharge, mechanical shock, and environmental damage.
What IC Shipping Tubes Actually Is
IC Shipping Tubes are extruded plastic channels designed to protect electronic components during transport and storage, preventing electrostatic discharge, mechanical shock, and environmental damage. SEWATE manufactures them in PVC, PS, PC, PETG, and ABS, with oval or square profiles matched to device dimensions. Tubes are available in lengths from 50mm to 1000mm, wall thicknesses from 0.30mm to 1.85mm, and can be customized for specific device bodies including through-hole, SMT, and leadless packages such as QFN, MLF, and LPCC. Anti-static properties are achieved through surface treatment or built-in additives, ensuring protection throughout handling and storage.
What IC Shipping Tubes Buys You
- Protects components from ESD, dust, moisture, and mechanical shock during shipping and handling
- Oval or square internal profile matched to device body reduces misalignment and jamming
- Critical dimension control within 5 mils on PVC and +/- 2 mils on PC ensures consistent feed
- Tight tolerance PC tubes enable high-speed, unattended loading and unloading without defects
- Multiple materials available to match impact strength, clarity, and environmental requirements
- Standard profiles ship in 5-15 days; custom profiles available with 4-6 week lead time
Where IC Shipping Tubes Is Used
Shipping relays, switches, and connectors from a component manufacturer to an overseas EMS
Protecting SMD and leadless packages like QFN and TSSOP during transport and warehouse storage
Feeding devices into tube feeders for automatic insertion or pick and place machines without re-orientation
Re-packing bulk components into fixed-count tubes for traceability and kitting
Using high-impact PETG tubes for heavy-duty packages such as microprocessor heat sinks
Supporting green initiatives with halogen-free PS, PC, ABS, and PETG materials
Who Buys IC Shipping Tubes
- IC distributors repackaging bulk components for resale
- Semiconductor and passive component manufacturers packaging finished goods
- EMS and SMT plants receiving tube-packed parts and needing spares for rework
- Connector, relay, and switch manufacturers shipping large or heavy bodies not suited for tape and reel
- Medical instrument and LED producers requiring ESD-safe packaging with visual inspection clarity
Problems IC Shipping Tubes Removes
- Devices jam in tubes due to inconsistent internal profile or dimensional drift
- ESD damage occurs during handling when anti-static properties degrade or are absent
- Random orientation of bulk-packed parts increases manual loading time and error risk
- Tubes crack on drop or impact, spilling contents and causing contamination
- Standard stock tubes do not match unique device profiles, leading to feeder jams and line stoppages
- Lack of visual clarity in packaging delays inspection and increases rework
How IC Shipping Tubes Is Built
- Oval or square extruded profile matched to device body and lead span
- Anti-static by surface layer treatment or additives built into the resin
- Critical dimension control within 5 mils on PVC, +/- 2 mils on PC
- Smooth internal surface to prevent binding and ensure device slide
- Good impact strength and drop resistance for intact tubes after carton handling
- Available with rubber end plugs, plastic pins, nails, caps, or EPE plugs for closure
IC Shipping Tubes Specification
Values are taken from the SEWATE product data for this item.
| Model Number | SE-IC-002 |
|---|---|
| Length | 50mm-1000mm or as customized |
| Wall Thickness | 0.30mm-1.85mm |
| Profile | Oval or square or customized |
| Material | PVC / PS / PC / PETG / ABS |
| Colour | Transparent, blue, red, yellow, purple, or customized |
| Dimension Control | Within 5 mils on PVC, +/- 2 mils on PC |
| Certification | RoHS |
| MOQ | 10000 pieces |
| Sample Time | 3-5 days or according |
| Lead Time | 5-15 days depending on quantity |
| Capacity | 50000 pcs per week |
| Supply Ability | 150 tons per month |
| Payment Terms | T/T, L/C, etc. |
| Place of Origin | Shenzhen, China |
| Experience | More than 20 years in tube packing |
Material Choice for IC Shipping Tubes
- PVC provides high strength, good flexibility, stable geometry, and long storage life; standard choice for general IC shipping
- PS is halogen free, offers improved clarity and impact strength, and reduces environmental impact
- PC delivers tight dimensional tolerance (+/- 2 mils), high impact strength, and clarity for fine-pitch and fragile packages
- PETG has the strongest impact resistance and excellent transparency, ideal for heavy-duty and large packages
- ABS offers high impact strength and is used when durability exceeds the need for transparency
How IC Shipping Tubes Is Made
- Review of application requirements and device profile in the quotation stage
- Creation of a drawing from the purchase order or customer-provided sample for approval
- Mould making and tooling trial on the approved profile
- Sample production with 20-50 free tubes for fit testing on the actual device
- Extrusion of the approved profile followed by cutting to the specified length
- Anti-static treatment applied via surface layer process or built-in additive as specified
- Fitting of closures (rubber plugs, plastic pins, etc.), counting, and packing into cartons
Quality Control on IC Shipping Tubes
- Critical dimension control within 5 mils on PVC and +/- 2 mils on PC to prevent jamming
- Fit testing of sample tubes against the actual device before mass production
- Anti-static value verified to remain stable after handling and storage
- Drop and pressure tests performed on the tube body before packing
- Quality management system compliant with ISO14001, with after-sales support on shipped lots
Customising IC Shipping Tubes
- Tube length customized to match magazine or carton pitch from 50mm to 1000mm
- Internal profile designed from a device drawing, tube drawing, or physical sample
- Material selected from PVC, PS, PC, PETG, or ABS based on impact, clarity, and environmental needs
- Colour chosen from transparent, blue, red, yellow, purple, or custom options for line identification
- Anti-static method specified as surface treatment or additive-loaded resin
- Surface printing of part numbers, symbols, or handling marks available
- Closure type selected from rubber end plugs, plastic pins, nails, plastic caps, or EPE plugs
IC Shipping Tubes Against the Alternatives
| Tape and reel | Tubes handle larger, heavier, or leadless packages that tape pockets cannot support, but tape is better for high-volume SMD placement |
|---|---|
| Vacuum formed trays | Trays offer better protection for fragile or fine-pitch packages, but tubes cost less per unit and load directly into tube feeders |
| Bulk bag packing | Tubes eliminate random orientation and ESD exposure, but cost more per unit than bulk bags |
| Standard stock tubes | Stock profiles ship in 5-15 days but only fit pre-defined device profiles; custom profiles require 4-6 weeks but match unique device geometries |
Using IC Shipping Tubes
- Provide a tube drawing, device drawing, or physical sample to define the internal profile
- If no drawing exists, send the physical component for profile measurement
- Confirm tube length against the magazine pitch of your insertion or placement machine
- Specify storage duration and handling frequency to select the right anti-static method
- Choose closure type: rubber plugs for repeated opening, pins for one-way shipping
- Store tubes flat and dry in cartons, away from direct sunlight to prevent deformation
- Plan for one-time tooling cost and 4-6 weeks lead time when developing a new custom profile
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Background reading before you specify ic shipping tubes.
Why IC Shipping Tube MOQ Is High
The minimum order quantity for custom anti-static IC shipping tubes is high because each production run requires machine re-molding, setup adjustment and dimensional verification.
Read Guide
Custom Anti Static IC Tube Guidelines
To begin customization, supply four items: the tube material, part size, desired tube length, and plug type.
Read Guide
How Anti Static IC Tubes Are Made From PVC
The process starts with PVC resin fed into an extruder.
Read GuideWhere It Is Used
Where ic shipping tubes is used in production.
Connectors Relays And Switches
Connectors, relays, terminal blocks, switches and power modules are too large or heavy for standard tape and reel packaging.
See Application
Medical And Instrument Electronics
Medical and instrument electronics require packaging that maintains traceable fixed-count orientation, stable anti-static performance over long storage, and clear material declarations.
See ApplicationQuestions About IC Shipping Tubes
What is the minimum order quantity for IC shipping tubes?
10000 pieces for standard profiles. The MOQ reflects extrusion setup costs; short runs are not economical due to changeover time.
How long does a standard tube order take?
5-15 days depending on quantity. Sample tubes for fit testing are delivered in 3-5 days.
What is the lead time for a custom tube profile?
Basic low volume: 25-day ARO. Typical lead time: 4-6 weeks. Complex or high-volume tools: 10-12 weeks.
What do you need to quote a custom tube?
One of: a tube drawing, device drawing, or physical sample. If none exists, send the component for profile measurement.
Which material should I use for my application?
PVC for general use. PC for tight tolerances and high-speed feeding. PETG for heavy-duty packages. PS for halogen-free clarity. ABS for impact resistance.
Is the anti-static property permanent?
It depends. Surface treatments may degrade with wiping or long storage. Additives built into the resin maintain anti-static performance longer. Specify your storage needs.
Do the tubes come with end closures?
Yes. Rubber end plugs, plastic pins, nails, plastic caps, and EPE plugs are available and selected based on the tube profile and opening frequency.
Send the Device and Get IC Shipping Tubes Quoted
A drawing, a sample or the physical component is enough. Sales and engineering come back within 24 hours.