Launch Your Surrey Fish and Seafood Retail Business Today
This page offers a practical, step-by-step guide to launching a fish and seafood retail business in Surrey under NAICS 445250. Use the seven-item checklist to stay organized—from registrations to health permits—so you can move from idea to opening day with confidence. You’ll find an overview of essential permits, typical costs, and a realistic timeline to help you plan your first year.
What you’ll learn includes the seven requirements you’ll need to meet, plus concrete tips on getting licensed, obtaining a Surrey business license, securing a provincial health permit for a food facility, and complying with seafood handling, labeling, and storage rules. We’ll also cover GST/HST registration, supplier contracts, and waste management. Expect practical cost ranges and a timeline that takes you from feasibility to opening in roughly 4–12 weeks, subject to inspections and fit-out.
Surrey’s diverse communities and strong access to regional seafood supply chains make it a smart fit for a fish and seafood shop. With local support programs and a straightforward permitting path, you’ll move faster while staying compliant.
Requirements Overview
The most critical requirement for operating a fish and seafood retailer in Surrey is Product Safety Compliance (Retail). This is legally required, and you cannot operate a store selling seafood without it. It covers how you store, handle, label, and sell seafood to protect customers from illness and contamination. You’ll need to maintain proper cold storage, clean facilities, and traceability with supplier records and logs. Compliance helps you pass inspections and avoid fines, disruptions, or a shutdown—so treat this as non-negotiable from day one.
Beyond safety rules, you must keep your shop safe for staff and customers. This means following health regulations for seafood, maintaining refrigeration at correct temperatures, practicing sanitation and pest control, and using accurate product labeling. You may also need local health permits or clearances and periodic inspections. If you have employees, you must have WorkSafeBC coverage and follow workplace safety rules to prevent injuries.
To operate legally, you’ll need basic business registrations and tax IDs. If you’re a sole proprietor or partnership, register your BC Business Name. Obtain a Business Number (BN) from the Canada Revenue Agency for tax, payroll, and related accounts. Apply for a Surrey business licence to operate in the city. Depending on your revenue, you may need GST/HST registration. If you hire staff, set up Payroll Deductions and ensure WorkSafeBC coverage.
Next steps: gather your ownership and product-safety information, check the City of Surrey’s licensing portal, and speak with a local accountant or advisor to map your timeline. Start with the critical safety compliance, then tackle registrations in a logical order. You can open confidently once your core licenses and safety systems are in place.
Detailed Requirements
Here are the specific requirements for starting a fish and seafood retailers in Surrey:
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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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Product Safety Compliance (Retail) RequiredRetailers must ensure products meet Canadian safety standards, properly label products, report safety incidents, and participate in product recalls when required. Canada Consumer Product Safety Act (CCPSA) applies federally. Health Canada enforces. Mandatory incident reporting for serious harm. 6-year record keeping. Recall responsibilities. No provincial retail license for general products. Children's product safety requirements stricter. Cosmetics: labeling and notification. Check recall database. Contact Health Canada: 1-866-662-0666.
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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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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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