Petroleum Testing at Intertek USA’s Carteret, New Jersey facility has received formal approval from U.S. Customs and Border Protection for customs-related gauging and laboratory work.
CBP published the notice on September 29, 2026, in the Federal Register, confirming that the facility at 1000 Port Carteret Drive, Suite C, may perform approved services for petroleum and certain petroleum products.
The approval and accreditation became effective August 28, 2025, and the next triennial inspection is scheduled for August 2028.
Table of Contents
What CBP approved for petroleum testing
The notice covers two separate functions: commercial gauging and laboratory analysis.
Commercial gauging involves measuring and documenting petroleum quantities and related characteristics under recognized industry procedures.
Laboratory accreditation allows the facility to conduct specified analytical tests that may be used for customs purposes.
The approval does not authorize every possible petroleum service or every type of laboratory analysis.
Importers, exporters, brokers and other customers must confirm that the specific service they need appears within Intertek’s approved scope.
Approved petroleum testing procedures
CBP approved Intertek’s Carteret facility for five American Petroleum Institute procedure areas.
| API chapter | Approved procedure area |
|---|---|
| Chapter 3 | Tank gauging |
| Chapter 7 | Temperature determination |
| Chapter 8 | Sampling |
| Chapter 12 | Calculations of petroleum quantities |
| Chapter 17 | Marine measurement |
These procedures support the measurement and sampling of petroleum cargoes in tanks, vessels and other commercial settings.
For businesses moving petroleum through ports or customs-controlled transactions, accurate measurements can help establish the quantity and condition of a shipment.
Laboratory tests covered by the accreditation
The accreditation includes tests for properties such as API gravity, water content, sediment, distillation characteristics, viscosity, sulfur, density, flash point and vapor pressure.
This petroleum testing accreditation also includes several analyses used for gasoline characterization and fuel-quality measurements.
| Testing area | Examples of covered methods |
|---|---|
| Crude oil and petroleum properties | API gravity, water, sediment, density and viscosity |
| Fuel performance | Distillation, flash point and vapor pressure |
| Environmental and composition testing | Sulfur, benzene, toluene, aromatics and oxygenates |
| Gasoline rating | Research octane number and motor octane number |
| Hydrocarbon analysis | Hydrocarbon types in liquid petroleum products |
The Federal Register notice identifies the applicable CBP Laboratory Methods and ASTM methods for each listed analysis.
Among the methods are ASTM D287 for API gravity, ASTM D95 for water in petroleum products, ASTM D86 for distillation and ASTM D4294 for sulfur analysis.
The scope also includes ASTM D2699 and D2700 for gasoline octane measurements.
Additional approved methods address benzene and toluene, oxygenates, and benzene, toluene and total aromatics in finished gasoline.
Why the approval matters for customs transactions
Petroleum Testing can play an important role in customs documentation when the classification, valuation or regulatory treatment of a shipment depends on the product’s measurable characteristics.
A CBP-approved commercial gauger or laboratory can provide specialized measurements and test results within the scope recognized by the agency.
The approval may give companies another option for arranging petroleum gauging and laboratory services in the Port Carteret area.
It does not change tariff rates, create a new import exemption or eliminate other documentation requirements.
Businesses remain responsible for ensuring that their testing, sampling and measurement records meet the requirements applicable to their transaction.
What customers should do before ordering services
Before ordering petroleum testing, CBP specifically advises anyone seeking services from the facility to obtain written confirmation that the requested gauging or laboratory work is covered by the approval.
That step is important because the notice lists particular procedures and test methods rather than granting unlimited authority.
- Identify the exact petroleum product and the service required.
- Match the requested service to the applicable API, CBP Laboratory Method or ASTM method.
- Request written assurance from Intertek that the Carteret facility is approved or accredited for that service.
- Keep the written assurance and resulting reports with the transaction records.
- Contact CBP if the scope of approval is unclear.
Questions about a specific gauger service or laboratory test may be directed to CBP Laboratories and Scientific Services at 202-344-1060.
CBP also lists an email contact for inquiries at CBPGaugersLabs@cbp.dhs.gov.
Approval remains subject to the agency’s oversight
Petroleum testing remains subject to the agency’s oversight under CBP regulations governing commercial gaugers and laboratories, including 19 CFR 151.12 and 19 CFR 151.13.
The next triennial inspection is expected in August 2028, but the published notice does not state that the facility’s approval is unrestricted or permanent.
Companies should verify the current status and approved scope before relying on a report for a new customs transaction.
The Federal Register notice also points users to CBP’s current listing of approved commercial gaugers and accredited laboratories.
Key dates and facility details
| Facility | Intertek USA, Inc., Carteret, New Jersey |
|---|---|
| Address | 1000 Port Carteret Drive, Suite C, Carteret, NJ 07008 |
| Approval effective date | August 28, 2025 |
| Federal Register publication | September 29, 2026 |
| Next triennial inspection | Scheduled for August 2028 |
| Federal Register citation | 91 FR 61428 |
The notice is an operational accreditation announcement rather than a new rule changing the treatment of petroleum imports.
Its practical effect is to confirm that the Carteret facility can provide the listed gauging and testing services for customs purposes within the approved scope.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did CBP approve Intertek’s Carteret facility to do?
CBP approved the facility to gauge petroleum and certain petroleum products and accredited it to conduct specified laboratory analyses for customs purposes.
When did the Intertek approval become effective?
The approval and accreditation became effective August 28, 2025.
What types of gauging are covered?
The approval covers API procedures involving tank gauging, temperature determination, sampling, petroleum quantity calculations and marine measurement.
Which laboratory tests are included?
The listed tests include analyses for API gravity, water, sediment, distillation, viscosity, sulfur, density, flash point, vapor pressure, octane, benzene, toluene, aromatics and oxygenates.
How can a customer confirm that a requested service is covered?
Customers should obtain written assurance from Intertek that the specific service is within its CBP-approved or accredited scope, or contact CBP Laboratories and Scientific Services for confirmation.
Fact-Checked: The article was checked against the September 29, 2026 Federal Register notice and the cited CBP regulations.
Disclaimer: This report is for general information and does not replace transaction-specific customs, legal or regulatory advice.
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