How we verify every order

As an independent distributor, IC Source Direct does not receive parts directly from manufacturer production lines. Instead, we source through vetted channels in the Shenzhen interconnect supply chain — surplus stock, allocation re-sellers, end-of-life specialists, and authorized channel overstock. Because provenance varies, we apply the same quality discipline to every line: screen, document, and decline anything we cannot stand behind.

Incoming inspection — every line, every time

Before any connector enters our consolidation queue, it passes through a documented inspection checklist. No exceptions — not for repeat suppliers, not for sealed factory packaging, not for rush orders.

Authenticity screening

Counterfeit connectors — re-marked Molex housings, relabeled TE contacts, incorrect plating on Amphenol circulars — are a known risk in the independent channel. Our inspection process is built around the connector-specific patterns we see in this market:

• Marking & mold consistency — re-marked connectors almost always show inconsistencies in font, cavity numbering, or mold marks. We compare every line to the manufacturer datasheet reference image when available.
• Plating & material mismatch — incorrect contact plating (tin where gold was specified, or vice versa), housing color deviation, or material feel inconsistent with the manufacturer standard — caught at step 1 and quarantined.
• Supplier vetting — we qualify suppliers on transaction history, not on a one-time checklist. Suppliers with any suspect material in their history are removed from the pool.
• Decline, don't guess— if we cannot document a line's channel to our satisfaction, we decline it and tell you why. We do not ship undocumented material and hope for the best.

ESD & moisture-sensitive device handling

All connectors are handled in an ESD-protected environment. Moisture-sensitive devices are packed in moisture-barrier bags with desiccant and humidity indicator cards. ESD-safe packaging is standard on every shipment — not an optional add-on.

• ESD-safe workstations, grounding, and packing materials throughout
• Moisture-barrier bags for MSL-rated parts with HIC included
• Reels and trays sealed and labeled — no loose connectors in generic bags

Photo QC — before the box closes

Every line in your order is photographed and checked against your BOM before the shipment is sealed. The photos are part of our dispatch record. If you want them, ask — they're free and included on request.

• Part number and quantity visible in every frame
• Lot and date codes captured where legible
• Packaging condition documented — dents, tears, or opened seals noted
• Shortages or discrepancies flagged before you pay, not after you receive

Supplier qualification

We do not source from open-market listings or anonymous trading platforms. Every supplier in our network is qualified through:

• Transaction history — minimum documented order history before a new supplier graduates from trial to regular status
• Channel disclosure — we ask where the parts came from, and we record the answer on your quotation
• Ongoing monitoring — any suspect material, undisclosed refurbishment, or pattern of discrepancy = immediate removal

What we do not do

Being honest about our limits is as much a quality signal as listing our capabilities:

• We do not operate an in-house electrical test lab. If your program requires X-ray, decapsulation, or functional testing beyond visual inspection, we can arrange third-party testing at cost — but we will not claim to have performed tests we did not perform.
• We are not an authorized distributor for any manufacturer we list. We do not imply manufacturer warranty coverage. Our warranty is our own — stated on every quotation.
• We do not ship undocumented material. A line we cannot trace is a line we decline.

Traceability & documentation

Every order ships with:

• A packing list matching your BOM line by line
• Lot and date codes recorded where available from the supplier
• Country of origin as stated by the supplier at time of sourcing
• Channel type noted on the quotation (authorized overstock, surplus, allocation re-seller)

If your compliance program requires specific documentation — certificates of conformance, test reports, or chain-of-custody records — tell us before we source. We will tell you honestly what we can and cannot provide for each line.

After-sales

Our standard terms provide a 7-day discrepancy window after delivery. DOA (dead-on-arrival) items are replaced or refunded. Returns are RMA-backed with a written order reference. See our Shipping & returns page for the full policy.