An apparatus for packaging electronic components, particularly integrated circuits, which includes a carrier tape into or on which the integrated circuits can be secured, a packing reel, to which is secured the carrier tape, wherein one or more components of the packing reel is composed of a plastic material and a desiccating material, and preferably a copolymer, and optionally an electrostatic dissipating product. The packing reel may further include a humidity indicating system. The apparatus may also be placed within a water and moisture-proof barrier bag for shipment purposes.