Launch a Brick, Stone and Construction Materials Wholesale in Burnaby
This page guides you through starting a Brick, Stone & Related Construction Material Merchant Wholesalers business in Burnaby (NAICS 423320). It highlights the 7 essential requirements you’ll need to meet, from registering your business and obtaining a tax ID to securing supplier agreements and staying compliant with local rules. You’ll find a practical compliance checklist, rough cost ranges for licenses, permits, and insurance, and a realistic timeline to move from idea to opening.
What you’ll learn: a clear overview of each requirement and how to tackle them, the permits and licenses you’ll likely need (business license, zoning clearance, and supplier registrations), typical startup costs (leasing or buying space, initial inventory, insurance, and licenses), and a practical timeline—often a matter of weeks to a few months—to launch your Burnaby wholesale operation.
Why Burnaby works: this growing market sits in the heart of Metro Vancouver, offering strong demand for construction materials and solid logistics. Proximity to suppliers, customers, and ports makes it easier to source inventory and serve contractors quickly, giving your new business a practical edge from day one.
Requirements Overview
The most critical requirement for operating a business in Burnaby is Product Safety and Recall Obligations. This is a legal requirement you cannot operate without, and it’s non-negotiable. For a brick, stone, and related construction material merchant wholesaler, that means ensuring the products you sell meet safety standards and having a clear plan to communicate recalls and protect customers if issues arise.
Mandatory Operational Requirements: Health, safety, permits. Your workplace must meet health and safety standards, and you should have a proper system for handling materials safely. Registering with WorkSafeBC for workers’ compensation coverage is essential, along with training, safe handling procedures, incident reporting, and ongoing compliance. In addition, maintain any required permits or program requirements related to how you store, transport, and sell building materials to keep staff and customers safe.
Business Registration & Tax. You’ll need a Business Number (BN) from the federal government to handle taxes and government filings. If you operate under a trade name as a sole proprietor or partnership, you’ll also need BC Business Name Registration. Depending on your operations, you may need GST/HST Registration, Payroll Deductions Registration, and possibly an Import/Export Business Number for cross-border trade. These IDs help you stay compliant and ready to file taxes, remit payroll withholdings, and handle imports smoothly.
Encouragement and next steps. Start by ticking off the foundational registrations (BN and BC business name, if needed) and set up WorkSafeBC coverage, then align product safety processes with a simple recalls plan. Build a practical compliance calendar and seek guidance from a small-business advisor or local provincial resources to tailor these steps to your exact product mix. You’ve got this—taking these steps now will set you up for smooth, compliant growth.
Detailed Requirements
Here are the specific requirements for starting a brick, stone, and related construction material merchant wholesalers in Burnaby:
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Product Safety and Recall Obligations RequiredWholesalers must ensure products meet Canadian safety standards and report serious incidents. Must participate in product recalls and maintain records for traceability. No registration - compliance law. Manufacturers/importers/sellers must ensure products are safe. MANDATORY REPORTING to Health Canada if: death/serious injury occurred or could occur, defects found, inadequate labeling, or recall in other jurisdiction. Keep records 6 years. Penalties: fines, seizure, criminal charges. Report incidents online or call 1-866-662-0666.
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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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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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Import/Export Business Number ConditionalRequired for specific regulated activities. Wholesalers engaged in importing or exporting goods must register for an import/export account with Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) in addition to their CRA Business Number. As of Oct 21, 2024, register RM account through CBSA's CARM Client Portal (not CRA). Need BN9 first - get via CARM or CRA's BRO. FREE registration. Required for importing/exporting commercial goods. Ensure all business names match exactly to avoid border delays. CBSA manages RM accounts; CRA issues BN9. Contact CBSA Border Information Service: 1-800-461-9999.
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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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