Petroleum Testing has received a new federally recognized testing location after U.S. Customs and Border Protection approved AmSpec, LLC’s facility in La Porte, Texas, to perform specified gauging and laboratory services for customs purposes.
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Petroleum Testing Update
CBP published the notice October 20, 2026, in the Federal Register.
The approval and accreditation took effect July 7, 2026, and are scheduled to remain in place for three years, with the next inspection expected to be scheduled for July 2029.
The notice covers petroleum and certain petroleum products.
It does not create a new immigration program, change visa requirements or establish a benefit for individual travelers.
Instead, it concerns the technical services used for petroleum testing to measure and analyze petroleum shipments handled for customs purposes.
What CBP approved in La Porte
AmSpec’s facility is located at 1836 Miller Cut Off Road in La Porte, Texas.
CBP approved the site as a commercial gauger and accredited it as a laboratory under the agency’s regulations at 19 CFR 151.12 and 19 CFR 151.13.
Those two designations cover related but distinct functions.
A commercial gauger performs approved measurement and sampling procedures, while an accredited laboratory conducts specified analyses using recognized methods.
The approval allows AmSpec to provide the listed services for petroleum and certain petroleum products when the work falls within the scope described in the Federal Register notice.
| Approval area | Scope listed by CBP |
|---|---|
| Commercial gauging | Specified American Petroleum Institute procedures |
| Laboratory accreditation | Eight CBP and ASTM testing methods |
| Effective date | July 7, 2026 |
| Next inspection | Scheduled for July 2029 |
Gauging procedures covered by the approval
Petroleum Testing at the facility may include measurement work based on six API chapters identified by CBP.
The procedures address how petroleum cargo is measured, sampled and quantified.
- API Chapter 3 for tank gauging.
- API Chapter 7 for temperature determination.
- API Chapter 8 for sampling.
- API Chapter 11 for physical properties data.
- API Chapter 12 for calculating petroleum quantities.
- API Chapter 17 for marine measurement.
These procedures are important because petroleum transactions often depend on consistent measurements of volume, temperature, physical characteristics and quantity.
The notice, however, does not say that AmSpec is authorized to perform every possible type of petroleum service.
Customers and customs stakeholders must match the requested service to the precise scope approved by CBP.
A facility’s general accreditation should not be treated as blanket authorization for tests or gauging procedures that are not listed.
Laboratory methods listed in the Federal Register
CBP also listed eight laboratory methods available within AmSpec’s accreditation.
The petroleum testing methods address water, sediment, viscosity, sulfur, density, API gravity and flash point in crude oil and other petroleum products.
| CBPL method | ASTM method | Testing subject |
|---|---|---|
| 27-03 | D4006 | Water in crude oil by distillation |
| 27-04 | D95 | Water in petroleum products and bituminous materials |
| 27-06 | D473 | Sediment in crude oils and fuel oils |
| 27-11 | D445 | Kinematic and dynamic viscosity |
| 27-13 | D4294 | Sulfur in petroleum and petroleum products |
| 27-48 | D4052 | Density, relative density and API gravity |
| 27-50 | D93 | Flash point using a Pensky-Martens closed cup tester |
| 27-54 | D1796 | Water and sediment in fuel oils by centrifuge |
The listed methods give importers, exporters, brokers, terminals and other industry participants a way to identify the types of analysis CBP recognizes at the La Porte facility.
The accreditation may be relevant when petroleum testing results are used in customs documentation or related commercial records.
Why the scope of the accreditation matters
Petroleum Testing results can influence how a shipment is described, measured or evaluated.
For that reason, the CBP notice emphasizes that a customer should verify the exact service before hiring the facility.
Written confirmation is the safest starting point.
Anyone seeking petroleum testing, laboratory analysis or gauger services from AmSpec should request written assurances that the facility is approved or accredited for the particular test or service being requested.
That step is especially important when a shipment involves multiple products, several test specifications or a combination of gauging and laboratory analysis.
The Federal Register notice lists the approved methods, but the operational details of a particular engagement must still be confirmed with the service provider.
What customers should do before ordering services
- Identify the exact petroleum product and the test or measurement required.
- Compare the requested work with the CBP-approved gauging procedures or laboratory methods.
- Request written confirmation from AmSpec that the specific service is within its approved scope.
- Keep the written confirmation and testing records with the shipment’s commercial and customs documentation.
- Contact CBP if the scope is unclear or a requested service is not plainly listed.
CBP identified Dr. Justin Shey of the agency’s Laboratories and Scientific Services office as the contact for questions about the accreditation.
The agency listed a telephone number, 202-344-1060, and the email address [email protected] for inquiries.
CBP also directs users to its online listing of approved commercial gaugers and accredited laboratories.
That listing can provide an additional way to verify the facility’s status and approved services, although customers should still request confirmation for the specific work involved.
Approval remains subject to inspection and scope limits
The three-year period does not mean that every future service performed by the facility is automatically covered.
The approval remains tied to the procedures and laboratory methods identified in the notice.
CBP stated that the next inspection date will be scheduled for July 2029.
Inspections and agency oversight help determine whether an approved facility continues to meet the requirements associated with its commercial gauger and laboratory status.
For businesses arranging Petroleum Testing in connection with customs activity, the practical takeaway is to verify the method, retain documentation and avoid relying on a general statement that a facility is federally approved.
The Federal Register notice was issued by CBP, an agency within the Department of Homeland Security, and appeared as document number 2026-21406 at 91 FR 66344.
The notice is an accreditation and approval action rather than a change to tariff law or a new regulation governing all petroleum testing providers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did CBP approve for AmSpec in La Porte, Texas?
CBP approved the facility as a commercial gauger and accredited it as a laboratory for specified petroleum and petroleum-product measurements and analyses used for customs purposes.
When did AmSpec’s approval take effect?
The approval and accreditation took effect July 7, 2026, according to the Federal Register notice.
How long does the approval last?
CBP said the approval covers the next three years, with the next inspection scheduled for July 2029.
What should customers verify before hiring AmSpec?
Customers should confirm in writing that AmSpec is approved or accredited for the exact gauging procedure or laboratory test they need.
How can a customer contact CBP about the scope of the approval?
CBP listed 202-344-1060 and [email protected] for questions about approved gauger and laboratory services.
Fact-Checked: The article was checked against the October 20, 2026, Federal Register notice and the cited CBP and eCFR pages for the accreditation scope, effective date and inspection timing.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information and does not replace written confirmation from CBP or AmSpec about a specific testing or gauging service.
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