Launch Your Apparel Knitting Mills in Surrey: Start Today
This page guides you step-by-step to launching an Apparel Knitting Mills in Surrey, aligned with NAICS 315120. It’s a practical roadmap from choosing a business structure to setting up your first knitting line. You’ll get a clear overview of the 9 essential requirements, the permits you’ll need, typical startup costs, and a realistic timeline to move from idea to production. Use the checklist as you plan, apply for licenses, and forecast your early milestones.
What you’ll learn: how to register your company, choose the right structure, secure the local permits, navigate zoning for light manufacturing, and estimate costs for equipment, leasing, utilities, and insurance. We break the 9 requirements into actionable steps, highlight common inspections, and map a practical timeline from registration to first shipment. You’ll also get tips to keep costs predictable and stay on budget.
Why Surrey? The city blends affordable space, access to skilled textile workers, and supportive business services near Metro Vancouver, making it a smart home for knit mills ready to grow. Proximity to suppliers and markets helps you scale faster while keeping overhead in check.
Requirements Overview
The most critical requirement for operating an apparel knitting mill in Surrey is BC Employment Standards Act Compliance. This means you must follow BC rules on minimum wage, overtime, vacation pay, and leaves for any employees. You cannot legally hire or run a shop without meeting these standards. This is NON-NEGOTIABLE—make it your top priority as you plan staffing and operations.
Next come mandatory operational requirements focused on health and safety: register with WorkSafeBC and maintain coverage for your workers, and establish safe practices and record-keeping. You also need to meet apparel product safety standards and labeling requirements so your garments are safe for customers. Grouped together, these rules protect staff, buyers, and your business from penalties and supply-chain delays.
On the business side, register your business numbers and licenses: BC Business Name Registration (if applicable to sole proprietorship/partnership), your City of Surrey business licence, and a Business Number (BN) with the federal government. You’ll also handle GST/HST registration and payroll deductions registration for tax withholdings. Getting these in place gives you a compliant, trackable financial framework and smoother interactions with customers and suppliers.
Next steps: map out your staffing plan and a simple compliance calendar, contact WorkSafeBC and the City of Surrey to confirm permits, and complete BN, name registration, and licence applications. Consider a quick consult with a business advisor to tailor timelines and costs. With clear priorities and practical steps, you’ll be ready to start and grow your Surrey apparel knitting mill.
Detailed Requirements
Here are the specific requirements for starting a apparel knitting mills in Surrey:
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BC Employment Standards Act Compliance RequiredEmployer compliance with BC Employment Standards Act requirements for wages, hours, and working conditions BC Employment Standards Act sets minimum requirements for all employers. Minimum wage: $17.85/hour (effective June 1, 2025). Standard hours: 8 hours/day, 40 hours/week. Overtime: time-and-a-half after 8 hours/day or 40 hours/week. 5 paid sick days required. Vacation: 2 weeks after 1 year, 3 weeks after 5 years. Contact Employment Standards Branch: 1-833-236-3700.
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Business Number (BN) Registration RequiredA 9-digit Business Number is required for most businesses operating in Canada. It is used to interact with the Canada Revenue Agency and other federal programs. Required for GST/HST, payroll, corporation income tax, and import/export accounts. Register FREE online through Business Registration Online (BRO) at canada.ca. Takes 15-30 minutes. As of November 3, 2025, online registration is MANDATORY for new BNs - phone registration no longer available. You'll need: business name, address, owner SIN, business type, and start date. BN (9-digit number) issued INSTANTLY online. Available 21 hours/day, 7 days/week (closed 3-6am ET for maintenance).
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Business Licence RequiredGeneral business licence required to operate a business in City of Surrey. Apply to City of Surrey for Business Licence: 1. Determine business category 2. Complete business licence application 3. Submit required documents (ID, lease, zoning confirmation) 4. Pay application and annual fees 5. Await approval and receive licence Contact City of Surrey Business Licensing for specific requirements. Home-based businesses may have different requirements. Annual renewal required.
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BC Business Name Registration (Sole Proprietorship/Partnership) RequiredRegistration of sole proprietorship or partnership business names with BC Registries Register sole proprietorship or partnership at bcregistry.gov.bc.ca. Name reservation: $30 (standard) or $100 (priority 1-2 days). Registration fee: $40. Total: ~$70. Name reserved for 56 days after approval. Registration is continuous (no renewal required). No name protection for sole proprietorships. Personal names operating under own name do not require registration. Contact BC Registries: 1-877-526-1526.
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Apparel Product Safety Standards ConditionalRequired for specific regulated activities. Apparel products must meet safety standards for flammability, drawstrings, small parts (children), and chemical content restrictions. Canada Consumer Product Safety Act compliance. Flammability requirements for children's sleepwear. No prohibited substances (lead, phthalates). Product testing. Recall procedures. Incident reporting. Contact Health Canada: 1-866-662-0666.
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GST/HST Registration ConditionalRequired if annual taxable revenue exceeds $30,000 (small supplier threshold). Taxi/ride-share drivers must register regardless of revenue. Businesses with gross revenues over $30,000 in any single quarter or over four consecutive quarters must register for, collect, and remit GST/HST. Small suppliers (under $30,000) may register voluntarily. Register FREE online through Business Registration Online (BRO) when your revenue exceeds $30,000 in any 4 consecutive quarters (small supplier threshold). Takes 15-30 minutes. You MUST register within 29 days of exceeding threshold and start charging GST/HST immediately on the sale that made you exceed it. Need your BN (or get one simultaneously). As of Nov 3, 2025, online registration is mandatory. Voluntary registration available anytime for input tax credits.
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Payroll Deductions Registration ConditionalRequired if you pay salaries, wages, or other remuneration to employees. Must register before first pay period. Required if you have employees. You must withhold Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Employment Insurance (EI), and income tax from employee wages and remit to CRA. Register FREE online through Business Registration Online (BRO) when you hire your first employee. Takes 15-20 minutes. You'll need your Business Number (BN) or can get one simultaneously. Payroll account (RP) added to your BN instantly. Register BEFORE your first pay date. Required to deduct CPP, EI, and income tax from employee wages. For 2025: CPP rate 5.95%, EI employee rate $1.66/$100 insurable earnings.
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WorkSafeBC Coverage and Registration ConditionalRequired if you have workers in BC. Workers compensation insurance coverage through WorkSafeBC for employers in British Columbia WorkSafeBC coverage required for most BC employers. Average base premium rate: 1.55% of assessable payroll ($1.55 per $100). Register online at worksafebc.com. Apply 30 days before starting business or hiring workers. Processing: ~10 business days. Premium rates vary by industry classification (514 classification units). COR certified employers eligible for 10% rebate. Contact: 604-276-3100 or 1-888-967-5377.
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Apparel Labeling Requirements ConditionalRequired for specific regulated activities. Apparel manufacturers must comply with textile labeling (fiber content, care), country of origin, and dealer identification requirements. Textile Labelling Act compliance. CA identification number from Competition Bureau. Bilingual labels (English/French). Fibre content percentages. Dealer identity. Country of origin. Contact Competition Bureau: 1-800-348-5358.
Funding & Grants
Available funding programs that may apply to your apparel knitting mills:
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A non-refundable 10% corporate income tax credit on eligible capital investments made by PEI corporations involved in manufacturing and processing. Claimed via T2 Schedule 321 filed with the corporation's T2 return. An additional Enriched Investment Tax Credit (up to 25%) is available through Innovation PEI for strategic-sector manufacturers requiring pre-approval …
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