(a) TIR carnet. When it is determined that liquidated damages assessed or paid for any shortage, irregular delivery, or nondelivery of merchandise covered by a TIR carnet did not in fact accrue, the liquidated damages shall be cancelled by the port director and, if paid, refunded, as provided by § 18.8 of this chapter.

(b) A.T.A. or TECRO/AIT carnet. When it is determined that liquidated damages assessed or paid for failure to properly reexport or destroy merchandise temporarily imported under cover of an A.T.A. or TECRO/AIT carnet did not in fact accrue, the liquidated damages shall be cancelled by the port director and, if paid, refunded as provided by § 10.39 of this chapter.

(c) Determination dependent upon a construction of law. When the determination of whether or not the charge was erroneously made depends upon a construction of law, the charge shall not be cancelled without the approval of the Commissioner of Customs, unless there is in force a ruling by the Commissioner of Customs decisive of the issue.