Launch Your Burnaby Cut and Sew Apparel Manufacturing Business Today
This page gives you a practical, step-by-step guide to starting a cut and sew apparel manufacturing business in Burnaby, BC (NAICS 315250). It outlines what you need to turn an idea into a real production operation—from business setup to your first run. Expect a clear requirements overview, realistic cost ranges, and a practical timeline so you can plan with confidence.
Eight essential requirements stand between concept and production: choose a legal structure; register your business; obtain a Burnaby business license; register for GST/HST and BC PST; verify zoning and secure any needed permits or building approvals; set up WorkSafeBC coverage and a safety plan; arrange appropriate insurance; and prepare hiring and payroll practices. The page also details typical costs—licensing, incorporation, insurance, equipment, and space—and a realistic timeline to move from idea to first sew.
Burnaby offers practical advantages for apparel makers: industrial spaces with room to grow, close access to suppliers and transit, and a supportive local ecosystem. With careful planning, you can launch a scalable operation that serves Vancouver's markets and beyond.
Requirements Overview
The most critical requirement for operating a cut and sew apparel manufacturing business in Burnaby is BC Employment Standards Act Compliance. This is a legal baseline that covers how you pay workers, hours worked, overtime, breaks, leaves, and record-keeping. You cannot legally operate without meeting these standards, and non-compliance can lead to audits, fines, or stop-work orders. Treat it as non-negotiable for every employee you hire.
Beyond wages and hours, there are mandatory operational requirements that keep your site safe and compliant. Ensure you have WorkSafeBC coverage and registration so workers are protected if injured on the job, and maintain proper safety practices and training. For your products, align with Apparel Product Safety Standards and Apparel Labeling Requirements so your garments are safe and accurately described in the market.
From a registration and tax perspective, you'll also need to set up the formal business identifiers. Register your BC Business Number (BN) and your BC Business Name Registration if you operate as a sole proprietor or partnership. You’ll also need to complete GST/HST registration and Payroll Deductions Registration to handle tax collection, remittances, and employee withholdings.
With these steps in mind, you’re on solid ground to launch. Start by confirming compliance with employment standards, then register with WorkSafeBC, and complete your BN and business name registrations, followed by GST/HST and payroll registrations. If you’d like, I can outline a simple checklist or connect you with local resources in Burnaby to speed up the setup.
Detailed Requirements
Here are the specific requirements for starting a cut and sew apparel manufacturing (except contractors) in Burnaby:
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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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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 cut and sew apparel manufacturing (except contractors):
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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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