The director, if the director shall determine that it is practicable in any case to permit licensed distributors to impress on or attach to each package of cigarettes, evidence of tax payment, by means of a metering machine, in lieu of stamps, may, except as provided by paragraph (1) of subsection c. of section 401 of P.L. 1948, c.65 (C.54:40A-11), authorize any licensed distributor to use any metering machine approved by the director, such machine to be sealed by the director before being used and used in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed by the director. Any licensed distributor authorized by the director to affix evidence of tax payment to packages of cigarettes by means of a metering machine shall either make a prepayment, allowing for the discount, if any, provided for herein and subject also to the same conditions as in the case of the sale of stamps, covering the amount of the tax for which the meter is set; or if prepayment is not made, subject to the same conditions as in the case of the consignment of stamps.
N.J.S. § 54:40A-17