A contact strip includes a number of conductive contacts (4), a contact carrier (5) and a corresponding number of links (6) connecting corresponding contacts to the contact carrier. Each contact includes a contact portion (42) and a soldering portion (43) opposite the contact portion for attaching a solder ball for soldering to a printed circuit board. The contact portion is plated with gold using a molten gold plating liquid for enhancing electrical/mechanical characteristics of the contact portion. Each link defines a longitudinal slot (61) for obstructing a wicking path from the contact to the contact carrier. Furthermore, an elongate opening (52) is defined in the contact carrier above and perpendicular to a corresponding slot to further prevent the plating liquid from wicking up to the contact carrier, thereby preventing loss of the expensive plating liquid and reducing the cost of the contact.