18. Rate of Tax on Packing Materials and Containers

Notwithstanding anything contained in section 14, where any goods packed in any container or packing material are sold or purchased, the container or packing material in which such goods are so packed shall be deemed to have been sold or purchased along with such goods and the tax under sections 3, 4, and 5 shall be levied on the sale or purchase of such container or packing material (whether such packing materials or containers are separately charged for or not) at the rate of tax applicable to the sale or the purchase, as the case may be, of such goods:

Provided that where the price of the goods is less than the container or packing material in which they are packed, the rate of tax specified in respect of such containers under subsection (1) of section 14 shall apply.