U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), an agency within the Department of Homeland Security, announced on December 12, 2025, the approval and accreditation of Intertek USA, Inc., located in New Haven, Connecticut, as a commercial gauger and laboratory. This designation allows the company to gauge and test petroleum and certain petroleum products for customs purposes, effective from September 4, 2024, for a period of three years. The notice, published in the Federal Register Volume 90, Number 237, underscores CBP's role in ensuring reliable measurements and analyses that facilitate international trade compliance. By accrediting private entities like Intertek, CBP helps verify the quality and quantity of imported goods, which is critical for duties, tariffs, and regulatory enforcement in the petroleum sector. This development reflects broader efforts to streamline customs processes while upholding accuracy in a high-stakes industry where even minor discrepancies can lead to significant financial or safety implications.
Background on CBP's Accreditation Program
CBP oversees a program that accredits commercial laboratories and gaugers to support customs operations, particularly for imported commodities like petroleum. Under 19 CFR 151.12 and 19 CFR 151.13, these regulations establish standards for gauging - the measurement of liquid volumes in tanks or vessels - and laboratory testing. The program dates back to efforts in the late 20th century to privatize certain customs functions, reducing government workload while maintaining oversight. Intertek USA, a subsidiary of the global testing and inspection firm Intertek Group, joins a list of approved entities that must undergo periodic inspections to retain their status. The company's New Haven facility at 481-A East Shore Parkway now holds this approval, building on Intertek's established presence in quality assurance services across industries.
Details of Gauging Approval
Intertek has been approved to perform gauging procedures based on standards from the American Petroleum Institute (API). These include API Chapter 3 on tank gauging, which involves measuring liquid levels in storage tanks, Chapter 7 on temperature determination for accurate volume corrections, Chapter 8 on sampling techniques to ensure representative samples, Chapter 12 on calculations for deriving quantities, and Chapter 17 on maritime measurements for ship-based operations. As noted in the Federal Register notice, 'Intertek USA, Inc. (New Haven, CT), has been approved to gauge petroleum and certain petroleum products... in accordance with the provisions of 19 CFR 151.12.' This approval enables Intertek to assist importers by providing certified measurements that CBP relies on for assessing duties on petroleum imports, which totaled over 9 million barrels per day in recent U.S. Energy Information Administration data.
Accredited Laboratory Testing Methods
In addition to gauging, Intertek's accreditation covers a range of laboratory tests aligned with CBP Laboratory Methods (CBPL) and American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards. Key methods include ASTM D287 for determining API gravity, a measure of petroleum density relative to water, ASTM D473 for sediment extraction in crude oils, and ASTM D86 for distillation characteristics. Other approved tests address viscosity (ASTM D445), sulfur content through various fluorescence methods (ASTM D4294, D2622, D7039), density (ASTM D4052), flash point (ASTM D93), water and sediment (ASTM D2709, D1796), and vapor pressure (ASTM D5191). The notice specifies, 'Intertek USA, Inc. (New Haven, CT), is accredited for the following laboratory analysis procedures and methods for petroleum and certain petroleum products set forth by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Laboratory Methods (CBPL) and American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM).' These tests are essential for verifying product specifications, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations like those under the Clean Air Act, and preventing adulterated imports.
Key Players and Regulatory Context
The primary agency involved is CBP, with Dr. Laura Granell-Ortiz listed as the contact for Laboratories and Scientific Services. The notice was signed by Patricia A. Coleman, Deputy Assistant Commissioner. Intertek, founded in 1885 and operating in over 100 countries, brings expertise in certification that aligns with CBP's needs. This accreditation fits into a regulatory framework influenced by trade laws such as the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015, which emphasizes efficient yet secure border operations. No direct legal precedents are cited in the notice, but similar approvals have been upheld in cases like those involving disputes over gauging accuracy in customs valuations, as seen in U.S. Court of International Trade rulings on import disputes.
Implications and Perspectives
From a short-term perspective, this approval enhances operational capacity for petroleum importers in the Northeast, where New Haven's location near major ports like those in New York and New Jersey facilitates quicker testing. Long-term, it could contribute to supply chain resilience by diversifying approved service providers amid fluctuating global energy markets. Industry stakeholders, including oil companies, view such accreditations as beneficial for reducing delays in customs clearance, potentially lowering costs. However, critics from environmental groups might argue that reliance on private firms requires robust oversight to prevent lapses in testing rigor, especially for sulfur and emissions-related analyses. Government perspectives, as expressed in CBP's guidelines, prioritize accuracy to protect revenue and public safety without favoring any entity. The triennial inspection scheduled for September 2027 will serve as a checkpoint for compliance.
In summary, CBP's accreditation of Intertek USA in New Haven represents a routine yet vital step in maintaining the integrity of petroleum trade. Potential next steps include Intertek's integration into customs workflows, with users advised to verify services directly as per the notice. Ongoing debates may center on expanding such programs to emerging energy sectors like renewables, while challenges involve adapting to technological advancements in testing methods. This development highlights the balance between efficiency and regulation in federal trade policy.
