Fish Wholesale License

goldmullet · 08/24/2011, 05:00 PM

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.

BuckeyeFan · 08/24/2011, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goldmullet

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.

Nice question !!! I also would like to know !!!

sbshady · 08/24/2011, 07:46 PM

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.

kurt_n · 08/24/2011, 10:49 PM

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.

sbshady · 08/25/2011, 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kurt_n

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.

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.

jeff@zina.com · 08/25/2011, 06:35 AM

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

DustinB · 08/25/2011, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kurt_n

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.

+1

A lot of distributors will require a brick and mortar store, almost all the good ones.

fshaqrmman · 08/25/2011, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DustinB

+1

A lot of distributors will require a brick and mortar store, almost all the good ones.

+2
After being in the business for many years...I agree with this as well.

junellkf · 09/15/2011, 01:35 PM

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!

jeff@zina.com · 09/15/2011, 02:22 PM

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

PAStreetGlide · 11/06/2012, 10:36 AM

How much does the whole process actually cost on average?

Company101 · 07/26/2017, 07:13 PM

does anyone still use this thread?

looking for some info...

Company101 · 07/26/2017, 07:14 PM

are you still willing to give up some information?

08/24/2011, 05:00 PM	#1
goldmullet Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 319	Fish Wholesale License 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.

11/06/2012, 10:36 AM	#11
PAStreetGlide Registered Member. Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Minersville, PA Posts: 275	How much does the whole process actually cost on average? __________________ Current Tank Info: 265 gallon mixed reef, 40 gallon sump and a 2 20 gallon frag tanks. 3 mp40w ES, LEDs, Genesis Water Change system. New Project: 165 gallon QT system.

07/26/2017, 07:13 PM	#12
Company101 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Posts: 2	information does anyone still use this thread? looking for some info...

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Where can i get THIS FISH!!	Gagstr	Fish Only & Aggressive Tanks	21	09/01/2011 09:54 AM
fish wholesale	skunkmere	Chicagoland Marine Aquarium Society (CMAS)	35	07/18/2007 05:50 PM
SW fish wholesalers?	DamselHook	New to the Hobby	18	04/11/2007 06:06 PM
Rare coral/zoanthid/fish wholesaler	oonycxwilloo	Reef Discussion	2	07/11/2006 12:03 AM

08/24/2011, 07:46 PM	#3
sbshady Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 144	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.

08/24/2011, 10:49 PM	#4
kurt_n Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: WA Posts: 2,592	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.

08/25/2011, 06:35 AM	#6
jeff@zina.com Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 3,345	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

09/15/2011, 01:35 PM	#9
junellkf Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 1	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!

09/15/2011, 02:22 PM	#10
jeff@zina.com Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 3,345	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

07/26/2017, 07:14 PM	#13
Company101 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Posts: 2	are you still willing to give up some information?