On April 18, 2013, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued a press release announcing the opening of three new Centers for Excellence and Expertise (CEEs) for Base Metals, Industrial and Manufacturing materials, and Machinery.

In the release, CBP explains that "the Centers represent CBP’s expanded focus on “Trade in the 21st Century,” transforming customs procedures to align with modern business practices. .. The Centers are coordinated from strategic locations, however personnel from across the country answer questions, provide information and develop trade facilitation strategies to address uniformity and compliance concerns."

The Base Metal CEE is based in Chicago, the Industrial and Manufacturing Materials CEE is based in Buffalo, NY, and the Machinery CEE is in Laredo, TX. CBP is currently accepting applications from importers interested in participating.

The release also notes that three more CEEs will be opened later on this year. They will be Agriculture and Prepared Products; Apparel, Footwear, and Textiles; and Consumer Products and Mass Merchandising in Miami, San Francisco and Atlanta, respectively.

The Press Release is available online here.

The Federal Register notice, with participation information for importers, can be found here.