Launch Your Burnaby Fish and Seafood Merchant Wholesalers Business Today
This page gives you a practical, step-by-step guide to starting a Fish and Seafood Merchant Wholesalers business in Burnaby (NAICS 424460). It outlines eight essential requirements, the permits you’ll likely need, typical costs, and a realistic timeline from registration to first shipment. Designed for early-stage planning, it helps you move from idea to launch with confidence and clarity.
Here you’ll learn what it takes to meet those eight requirements: how to register your business in Burnaby, obtain a business license, and set up food handling and safety compliance. You’ll also get a sense of the permits and inspections you’ll encounter, rough costs for licenses, equipment and facility needs, and a practical timeline to progress from filing to first delivery.
Burnaby’s close proximity to Vancouver’s seafood markets, strong logistics, and a supportive small-business environment make it a smart foundation for wholesale fish and seafood trading. If you’re ready to tap into a thriving supply chain, this city–business pairing is well worth planning around.
Requirements Overview
The most critical requirement for operating a fish and seafood merchant wholesalers in Burnaby is Safe Food for Canadians License (Wholesale). This license is required by federal law under the Safe Food for Canadians Act, and you cannot legally wholesale seafood without it. You must apply to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and obtain approval before you begin any wholesale activity; without it, you cannot operate.
Beyond licensing, there are mandatory operational requirements that protect customers and workers. You’ll need to meet Product Safety and Recall Obligations, including having product tracing, record keeping, and clear recall procedures in place so you can act quickly if a problem arises. You’ll also need WorkSafeBC coverage and registration to provide workers’ compensation and ensure safe working conditions. If your supply chain involves importing or exporting fish, you’ll also require an Import/Export Business Number to handle customs paperwork.
On the business side, you’ll handle registration and tax numbers. A Business Number (BN) with the Canada Revenue Agency is needed to manage federal accounts. If you’re operating as a sole proprietor or partnership in BC, you’ll register a BC Business Name. Depending on your sales, you may also need GST/HST Registration for sales taxes, Payroll Deductions Registration for employee withholdings, and an Import/Export Number for customs if applicable.
Next steps: start with the SFCA license application, then set up your BN and BC business name, and check whether you need GST/HST and payroll registrations. Arrange WorkSafeBC coverage early, and build a simple compliance plan for recalls and safety. If you’d like, I can map out a 90-day action plan tailored to your specific operations and suppliers.
Detailed Requirements
Here are the specific requirements for starting a fish and seafood merchant wholesalers in Burnaby:
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Safe Food for Canadians License (Wholesale) RequiredWholesalers of food products must be licensed under the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations and implement preventive controls for food safety. CFIA Safe Food for Canadians Licence for food wholesale/distribution. Interprovincial/export trade. Preventive control plan. Traceability requirements. Contact CFIA: 1-800-442-2342.
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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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