Launch Your Packaged Frozen Food Merchant Wholesalers in Burnaby
This page maps out how to launch a Packaged Frozen Food Merchant Wholesalers business in Burnaby (NAICS 424420). You’ll get a practical, eight-step requirements overview, plus a clear sense of costs and a realistic timeline. It covers the licenses, permits, and registrations you’ll need, from city paperwork to food-safety compliance, so you can plan with confidence rather than guesswork.
This guide breaks down the eight areas you’ll address: registration and licensing; Burnaby municipal business license; facility and equipment (including cold storage); labeling and packaging compliance; food-safety and sanitation requirements; insurance and risk management; taxes and registrations (GST/HST, payroll); and supplier, logistics, and financing setup. You'll learn the typical costs, common timelines, and practical tips to keep you moving—from filing your first license to opening your doors.
Burnaby’s central location in Metro Vancouver, coupled with strong supplier networks and convenient access to distribution routes, makes this a promising fit for frozen-food wholesale. The city’s business-friendly climate and growing demand for value, convenience, and local jobs can help you scale quickly.
Requirements Overview
The most critical requirement for operating a packaged frozen food merchant wholesaler in Burnaby is the Safe Food for Canadians License (Wholesale). This license is legally required to handle and sell food at wholesale, and you cannot operate without it. Having the license in place and following the food safety rules it enforces is non-negotiable for your business.
Beyond licensing, you’ll also need to meet mandatory health and safety obligations to protect your staff and customers. This includes adhering to product safety and recall obligations, maintaining proper sanitation and cold storage practices, and ensuring you have WorkSafeBC coverage and registration to keep your workplace safe.
On the registration and tax front, you’ll want to establish your business formally with the right numbers and registrations. You’ll need a Business Number (BN) from the Canada Revenue Agency for your taxes and programs. If you’re operating as a sole proprietorship or partnership in British Columbia, you’ll also register your BC business name. Depending on your activities, you may also handle an Import/Export Business Number, GST/HST registration, and payroll deductions registration if you have employees. Keeping these registrations current helps you stay compliant and avoid penalties.
Ready to take the next steps? Start by contacting the CRA and BC Registries to set up your BN and BC business name, then confirm which federal and provincial licenses apply to your products. Build a simple compliance calendar, gather the necessary documents, and consider a quick consult with a regulatory advisor to tailor steps to your exact operations. You can move forward confidently—one clear step at a time.
Detailed Requirements
Here are the specific requirements for starting a packaged frozen food 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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