On October 5, 2023, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued a final rule on the implementation of the Centers of Excellence and Expertise (CEE).

CBP Decision 16-26 established ten CEEs across the country for trade oversight and uniformity in 2016. The interim final rule shifted functionality to the CEEs and provided centralized authority to “enable the Centers to facilitate trade, reduce transaction costs, increase compliance with applicable import laws, and achieve uniformity of treatment at ports of entry for identified industries.”

The final rule adopts CBP Decision 16-26 permanently and is effective November 6, 2023.

The final rule can be found here:

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/10/05/2023-22170/regulatory-implementation-of-the-centers-of-excellence-and-expertise