Launch Your Lumber, Plywood, Millwork Wholesale in Burnaby Today
This page helps you start a lumber, plywood, millwork, and wood panel merchant wholesaler in Burnaby (NAICS 423310). Get a practical overview of eight key requirements, the permits and licenses you’ll need, typical startup costs, and a realistic timeline to get your operation off the ground.
Eight practical steps covered: decide your business structure and register; secure a business name; obtain a Burnaby business license and any warehousing permits (occupancy, fire code); register for GST/HST (and PST if applicable); arrange insurance and Workers' Compensation; lock in supplier contracts and freight/logistics; set up accounting and tax systems; and build safety, compliance, and reporting into daily operations.
Burnaby’s strategic location in Metro Vancouver puts you near builders, mills, and strong logistics, making it a smart place to run a lumber wholesale business. With a growing construction market and access to regional suppliers, you can move product quickly and scale your inventory while keeping costs under control.
Requirements Overview
Product Safety and Recall Obligations are a top priority for a lumber, plywood, millwork, and wood panel wholesale business in Burnaby. You’ll need systems to ensure products meet safety standards and to manage recalls, including keeping accurate records, tracing lot/batch information, and having a clear plan to notify customers and regulators quickly if something goes wrong. These obligations are a legal requirement in British Columbia, and you cannot operate without meeting them.
Mandatory Operational Requirements cover health, safety, and permits. In practice, you’ll align with BC Employment Standards Act to ensure fair wages, hours, and leaves for your staff, and you must maintain WorkSafeBC coverage to provide workers’ compensation and to support safe working conditions. Establishing clear safety policies, training, incident reporting, and ongoing safety communications is essential for day-to-day operations and for protecting your team.
Business Registration & Tax is about setting up the formal IDs and tax accounts your business needs. This includes registering a Business Number (BN) with the Canada Revenue Agency, registering a BC Business Name if you’re operating as a sole proprietorship or partnership, and obtaining an Import/Export Business Number if you trade across borders. You’ll also want to consider GST/HST Registration if your sales meet the threshold, and Payroll Deductions Registration if you have employees. If you’re handling payroll, keep in mind these registrations work together with your WorkSafeBC obligations.
Next steps and encouragement: start by listing which requirements apply to your specific setup (import activity, number of employees, branding name, etc.), gather the necessary documents, and use online portals to apply (BC Registries, CRA My Business Account, etc.). Consider a quick consult with a business advisor or compliance professional to create a practical, phased plan—then tackle each step on a realistic timeline. You’ve got a
Detailed Requirements
Here are the specific requirements for starting a lumber, plywood, millwork, and wood panel merchant wholesalers 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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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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