Kubota B series assembly location

[phd]

Greetings all:
I've searched this question briefly without a satisfactory answer. So, the exchange rate has made the purchase of a B series tractor much more affordable in the States (I'm in Eastern Canada). Dealers here have not reflected the changes in the exchange rate in their pricing and so I am looking at possibly importing. Supposedly a North-American assembled tractor is duty free, so the only costs would be transportation and taxes at the border. Therefore, where are the Kubota B series tractors assembled? If anyone has gone down this road please advise! Thanks in advance. .
Peter
(ps phd is not a post hole digger)

 

[RedAg02]

The Kubota B-Series are manufactured in Japan, shipped crated to U.S. dealers and then assymbled by the dealers. Kubota manufactures front end loaders, lawn and garden equipment, and the new RTV900 in Georgia. Hope this info helps.

 

[8561]

If you choose to do this, have your dealer break out the price of the tractor and loader on your sales invoice. This way the duty will only correctly be applied to the tractor rather than the whole package.

 

[phd]

Thanks for the information. Seems I'll have to get a ruling on the almost philosophical question: When is a tractor a tractor?
Thanks again,
Peter

 

[phd]

Thanks for the advice Tim, to date I had only enquired about duty on the tractor and not the implements. So much to learn.
Thanks again,
Peter

 

[art]

That depends on the manufacturer!

 

[TRACLES]

Hi PHD, I'm going through this process myself right now. I live in southern ON. Best thing you can do is visit www.riv.ca and then call them for an opinion after sending photo and info of the tractor you want. I started by calling the registrar for imported vehicles in Toronto at 1-888-848-8240. In my case, the BX has no import duty. Critical question is if the item is made overseas but for the USA market, it's OK and no Duty applies. It must also be a vehicle which cannot be "plated" for road use. Sounds like you won't have a problem. We'll see if Kubota Canada responds to the exchange rate issue but I would not expect more than 5% decrease in prices for 2004. Why take back margin if the competition is keeping their prices up? This could be the start of an Industry Price Fixing scandal!! Let's see how "Free" our market really is!

 

[art]

There also might be some warrantee issues here that I would recommend looking at before you complete the deal. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[phd]

Thanks to all for the pointers.
Peter

 

[TractorFan]

If Kubota of Canada is anything like Kubota of America, you will have to truck it back over the border for any warranty issues you may encounter. I know first hand.

Tractor Fan