199. (1) The appropriate officer may, on the entry or clearance of any goods or at any time while such goods are being passed through the customs-area, take samples of such goods in the presence of the owner thereof or his agent, for examination or testing or for ascertaining the value thereof or for any other necessary purpose. (2) After the purpose for which a sample was taken in carried out, such sample shall, if practicable, be restored to the owner, but if the owner fails to take delivery of the sample within one month of the date on which he is asked in writing to take its delivery, it may be disposed of in such manner as the Commissioner of Customs may direct. (3) In the case of goods which consist of drugs or articles intended for consumption as food, and in respect of which the taking of samples for the purposes of this sub-section may have been authorised by a general or special order of the Government, the appropriate officer may also in like circumstances take samples thereof for submission to, and examination by such officer of Government or of a local authority as may be specified in such order. ¹[(4) The owner of any imported or exportable goods or his authorised representative may draw samples before presentation or transmission of bill of entry or bill of export thereof, as the case may be, subject to the conditions laid down by an officer of Customs not below the rank of Assistant Commissioner.]