Ship chandlers in Houston:
a supply guide to the Ship Channel

Houston at a glance

Port Houston calls itself the nation's largest port for waterborne tonnage. For a chandler, the mix matters more than the ranking. Much of the trade is petrochemicals and crude, handled at private terminals, and each terminal runs its own security plan.

Anchorages and lightering

The Bolivar Roads anchorages sit at the entrance to Galveston Bay. Federal rules (33 CFR 110.197) set out Anchorage Areas A, B and C. A ship may stay up to 48 hours unless the Coast Guard Captain of the Port allows longer, or bad weather makes sailing unsafe. Area A East was added in 2018, mainly as overflow for ships waiting for an exam or inspection. When it set up the area, the Coast Guard said ships could anchor there to take on stores.

Further out, tankers lighter in zones set by 33 CFR 156.300, such as Southtex, more than 60 miles off the coast. Anything for a ship at anchor goes out by launch. Ask the agent where the ship will be, and for how long, before you book the boat.

In 2025 the Coast Guard, the Army Corps and the Houston Pilots recognised the 700-ft channel from Bolivar Roads to Morgans Point. Port Houston says this effectively removed daylight restrictions for larger ships in the bay, so fewer of them wait at anchor. A shorter wait can mean a shorter window to deliver, so get the quote in early.

Getting through the gate: TWIC

• TWIC is required for unescorted access. Under 33 CFR 101.514, anyone who needs unescorted access to secure areas of regulated ships and terminals must hold a Transportation Worker Identification Credential, issued by the TSA. Without one, a driver needs an approved TWIC escort.
• Gate lists go through the agent. At Port Houston terminals, only ship agents, Port Houston tenants and Port Houston staff can put a vendor on a gate list. A TWIC on its own does not guarantee entry.
• Private terminals set their own rules. Most of the channel's terminals are private, and each runs its own security plan. Ask the agent what the terminal needs before the truck leaves.

Duty-free supplies under US Customs rules

Under 19 U.S.C. 1309, supplies for qualifying ships, including foreign ships in foreign trade, can be withdrawn free of duty and tax from a bonded warehouse, from continuous customs custody or from a foreign-trade zone. The rules are in 19 CFR 10.59 to 10.65:

• Which ships qualify. The ship must be actually engaged in foreign trade, for example carrying cargo or passengers to or from a foreign port. Trial trips do not qualify.
• The paperwork. Withdrawals from a warehouse are made on CBP Form 7501. Goods taken from continuous customs custody outside a warehouse move on an in-bond application. The port director then issues the withdrawal permit.
• Proof of lading within 30 days. Whoever makes the withdrawal must get the goods to the ship, then give Customs evidence of lading within 30 days.
• Tobacco. Duty-free cigars and cigarettes fall under a separate section, 19 U.S.C. 1317. They can only be used once the ship is beyond the three-mile limit.
• Stores coming back. Duty-free stores can only be landed again under Customs supervision, and are then treated as imports.

Spirits, wine and beer taken from tax-bonded premises also come under federal alcohol tax rules. A customs broker can handle the filings.

Texas sales tax on ship supplies

Texas Tax Code 151.329 and Comptroller Rule 3.297 exempt materials and supplies bought by the owner or operator of a ship operating exclusively in foreign or interstate coastal commerce, if they are loaded and used to run and maintain the ship. The rule says this includes "ships' stores and sea stores".

• The ship must carry people or goods between Texas and another state or a foreign country. Trips from Texas to an offshore point, or between two points in Texas, do not qualify.
• The buyer gives you an exemption certificate. It must show the name of the vessel and the title or position of the person issuing it. Keep it with the invoice.

How to find a ship chandler in Houston

• Your agent, who puts suppliers on the gate list and can tell you who delivers out to Bolivar Roads.
• The Greater Houston Port Bureau, whose member directory includes ship chandlers.
• Marketplaces such as ShipServ, where Houston suppliers list their catalogues.

For ship chandlers in Houston

A Houston order comes with paperwork. There is the tax exemption certificate with the vessel name, the Customs withdrawal and proof of lading within 30 days, and a place on the agent's gate list at each terminal. Miss one and the tax, the duty or a missed delivery can come back on you.

Chandler keeps the whole order in one place. AI reads the requisition from an email, PDF, Excel file or photo. Suppliers price items through a link, and your margin formulas build the quote for approval. Once the ship confirms, the same order holds the supplier POs, goods received, packing, the delivery with handover photos as proof, returns and the invoice. See pricing, or book a demo below with one of your own inquiries.

Sources

Checked 20 October 2026.

1. Port Houston: best year yet, 2025 results (30 Jan 2026)
2. Port Houston: Project 11 milestone (9 Oct 2026)
3. Port Houston: Houston Ship Channel region trade report (20 Aug 2026)
4. ASCE: Houston Ship Channel length and expansion
5. 33 CFR 110.197: Bolivar Roads anchorages
6. Federal Register 2018-08873: Anchorage Area A East
7. 33 CFR 156.300: designated lightering zones
8. 33 CFR 101.514: TWIC requirement
9. Port Houston: terminal security and access
10. 19 U.S.C. 1309: supplies for certain vessels
11. 19 CFR 10.59 to 10.65: supplies for vessels
12. Texas Tax Code 151.329
13. 34 Tex. Admin. Code 3.297: vessels and ships' stores
14. Greater Houston Port Bureau: member directory