What Inspectors Check Before Refilling Your Propane Tank
Port Neches – October 18, 2026 -- Before a propane supplier can legally refill your cylinder, federal rules require a check of its stamped markings and a visual inspection for damage, and Texas owners whose tanks fail may be turned away.
Stamped markings must be reviewed before every refill
The U.S. Department of Transportation regulates the manufacture, marking, and maintenance of portable pressurized cylinders. Under its rules, each cylinder must carry identifying information stamped into the collar or handle area: the manufacture date, the cylinder specification, and any requalification dates from earlier inspections. A filling station attendant must review that information before refilling.
Inspectors look for five warning signs
The visual check is designed to catch conditions that make a cylinder unsafe to pressurize. Inspectors look for: