Fish Wholesale License

G

goldmullet

New member
Hey guys. Does anyone know what you have to do to get a fish wholesale license so you can buy fish at wholesale?

Starting up a small business, thanks so much.
 
Go to your courthouse. Some counties require different licenses. I had to fill a form out (cost 9 dollars) It basically states the business name and the owner address, and the business address. Then you have to run an ad in the paper once a week for three consecutive weeks. That cost me about 65.00. After that, the paper mails the courthouse verifying that you completed the advertisement then the courthouse emails you all of your paperwork. Then go to the IRS Website and file for an EIN. It is a simple 5 minute process, then they will provide you with an Employer Identification Number. Then you have to find a wholesaler. There is a list out there of tons of wholesalers. A few of them will give you wholesale prices without proof, but those are small places with limited livestock. The larger companies have an application online. Just fill the information out, send them a copy of your business license and they will run the application. If they accept, they will send you a price and stock list. They will also have you fill out a credit card authorization form so you can pay for your purchases. If you have any additional questions let me know. I just went through this whole process during the last month so its still pretty fresh in my head. If you want that list of wholesalers let me know and I can get it to you with links to their websites. Hope this helps.
 
Requirements to start a business will vary state to state, city to city. It's best to contact your state's licensing authority (or check out their website) and find out the specific requirements for your location. You're not going to find a "fish wholesale license"... you're just looking to start a business.

With that said though, I think you'll find many good fish/coral wholesalers will require proof of a brick and mortar store. Sounds like sbshady found some that don't require a physical store, but I don't think that's normal.
 
kurt_n said:
Requirements to start a business will vary state to state, city to city. It's best to contact your state's licensing authority (or check out their website) and find out the specific requirements for your location. You're not going to find a "fish wholesale license"... you're just looking to start a business.

With that said though, I think you'll find many good fish/coral wholesalers will require proof of a brick and mortar store. Sounds like sbshady found some that don't require a physical store, but I don't think that's normal.
Click to expand...

That is correct, a majority of them require a brick and mortar store. I only found a few that will overlook you running your business out of your house.
 
In Florida, you may need a wholesale license. :)

Actually, a saltwater distribution license, but there are different regulations for different states. As there are about running businesses out of your home.

Jeff
 
kurt_n said:
With that said though, I think you'll find many good fish/coral wholesalers will require proof of a brick and mortar store. Sounds like sbshady found some that don't require a physical store, but I don't think that's normal.
Click to expand...

+1

A lot of distributors will require a brick and mortar store, almost all the good ones.
 
I've been interested in this as well. Can you send me a link to the list of wholesales you mentioned? I would be doing this out of my home as well until it was to the point i could actually open a store. Thanks!
 
Creating a brick and mortar location doesn't mean you need to open a commercial location. It does mean you need to be able to run a home-based business in your zoning area though. All distributors will sell to a home-based business, you just need to buy a big enough quantity. Most distributors won't sell you anything decent with out the quantity anyway. Forget buying $50-100 worth of stock a month, think in the $1,000-1,500 a week area.

Better home start? Network with your local reefers and frag swaps.

Jeff
 
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