ISMAIL, C.J.

These are tax revision cases against the common order of the Sales Tax Appellate Tribunal, Madras-1, dated 25th February 1980, made in T.A. Nos. 1696 and 1762 of 1978. The petitioners are manufacturers of packing materials. The disputed turnover related to the sales of corrugated boxes, heavy duty containers, duplex boards and waxed cartons made by the petitioners to certain exporters of sea foods. The petitioner claimed exemption in respect of sales turnover of these packing materials based on section 5(3) of the Central Sales Tax Act, 1956. Section 5(3) of that Act reads as follows :

"Section 5. (3) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), the last sale or purchase of any goods preceding the sale or purchase occasioning the export of those goods out of the territory of India shall also be deemed to be in the course of such export, if such last sale or purchase took place after, and was for the purpose of complying with, the agreement or order for or in relation to such export." *

The petitioners will be entitled to the benefit of this exemption only if it is established that the last sale of containers made by them took place after and was for