Custom Act, 1962
147.
Liability of Principal and Agent. –
(1)
Where this Act requires anything to be done by the owner, importer or exporter
of any goods, it may be done on his behalf by his agent.
(2)
Any such thing done by an agent of the owner, importer or exporter of any goods
shall, unless the contrary is proved, be deemed to have been done with the
knowledge and consent of such owner, importer or exporter, so that in any
proceedings under this Act, the owner, importer or exporter of the goods shall
also be liable as if the thing had been done by himself.
(3)
When any person is expressly or impliedly authorised by the owner, importer or
exporter of any goods to be his agent in respect of such goods for all or any
of the purposes of this Act, such person shall, without prejudice to the
liability of the owner, importer or exporter, be deemed to be the owner,
importer or exporter of such goods for such purposes :
Provided
that where any duty is not levied or is
short-levied or erroneously refunded on account of any reason other than any
wilful act, negligence or default of the agent, such duty shall not be
recovered from the agent unless in the opinion of Assistant Commissioner of
Customs the same cannot be recovered from the owner, importer or exporter.