16. Except as otherwise provided by the “Motor Fuel Tax Act,” P.L.2010, c.22 (C. 54:39-101 et seq.), the tax imposed by section 3 of P.L.2010, c.22 (C. 54:39-103) on fuel imported from another state shall be precollected on behalf of the consumers and remitted to the director by the:

a. Importer who has imported the nonexempt fuel. The precollection shall be made and remitted when the tax return is due. If the importer was not subject to a precollection agreement with the supplier or permissive supplier, the precollection shall be remitted in the manner specified by the director; or

b. Importer who has imported the nonexempt fuel which is subject to a precollection agreement with the supplier or permissive supplier. If the importer is a licensed distributor, the precollection shall be made and remitted to the supplier or permissive supplier no later than two business days prior to the date on which the tax is required to be remitted by the supplier or permissive supplier pursuant to section 19 of P.L.2010, c.22 (C. 54:39-119). The importer shall remit the tax to the supplier or permissive supplier, acting as trustee who shall remit to the director on behalf of the distributor under the same terms as a supplier payment pursuant to section 19 of P.L.2010, c.22 (C. 54:39-119); or

c. Importer at the time the fuel is entered into this State. However, if the supplier of the fuel, as shown on the records of the terminal operator, has made a blanket election to precollect tax in accordance with section 18 of P.L.2010, c.22 (C. 54:39-118), then the importer shall remit the tax to the supplier, acting as trustee, who shall remit to the director on behalf of the importer under the same terms as a supplier payment pursuant to section 19 of P.L.2010, c.22 (C. 54:39-119), and no import verification number shall be required.

L.2010, c.22, s.16; amended 2010, c.79, s.14.