Tape-and-Reel (for IC) quantity discrepancy allowed? any EIA standard?

Question

Is quantity discrepancy allowed in a tape-and-reel (IC)? For example, a reel of 3000 units can have 3 or 4 ICs missing?

EIA-481-b allows single empty pocket; and rejects two consecutive empty pockets, but doesn't say if reel quantity discrepancy is allowed (like the example above, while there's no empty pockets in the middle).

Some of my customers (IC Design House) allow it (around 2000dppm level per reel), while some dont. Of course, some customers have no clue of these standards; they just take no discrepancy for granted. That's why I want to know what is reasonable. THANK YOU!

Answer 1

I have never heard of any such thing.  

If I buy 3000 components, I expect 3000 components, whether in bags, or on a reel.  If there is a discrepancy, then the supplier, distributor, or manufacterer (if purchased directly) is responsible for missing components.  The EIA should not be involved in contractual disputes.

Now, that's not to say there isn't some clause in some EIA specification that I am unware of, because my company does not deal with large production runs -- therefore we do not buy too many reels of components.

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