(1)Save as otherwise provided in any law for the time being in force, all imported goods unloaded in a customs area shall remain in the custody of such person as may be approved by the 2[Principal Commissioner of Customs or Commissioner of Customs] until they are cleared for home consumption or are warehoused or are transhipped in accordance with the provisions of Chapter VIII.
(2)The person having custody of any imported goods in a customs area, whether under the provisions of sub-section (1) or under any law for the time being in force,—
(a)shall keep a record of such goods and send a copy thereof to the proper officer;
(b)shall not permit such goods to be removed from the customs area or otherwise dealt with, except under and in accordance with the permission in writing of the proper officer 1[or in such manner as may be prescribed].
2[(3) Notwithstanding anything contained in any law for the time being in force, if any imported goods are pilferred after unloading thereof in a customs area while in the custody of a person referred to in sub-section (1), that person shall be liable to pay duty on such goods at the rate prevailing on the date of delivery of an 3[arrival manifest or import manifest] or, as the case may be, an import report to the proper officer under section 30 for the arrival of the conveyance in which the said goods were carried.]