Common Import Issues on Shopify and How to Fix Them

Importing product data into Shopify can be a real pain. It seems simple, but even a small mistake in your CSV file can mess up your entire catalog. The more products you have, the more likely errors become.

But don't worry! I've been there, and I've learned a few tricks along the way. This guide will show you how to troubleshoot common CSV import issues and get your products up and running in no time.

Solutions to Common Product CSV Import Problems

These are some of the most common issues when importing data to Shopify using CSV files and their quick solutions. If you don’t find your  issues here, reach out to Shopify Support for assistance.

Formatting Issues

• Illegal Quoting on Line: This issue typically occurs due to illegal characters or stray quotes in your CSV file. To fix this:
  1. Open your CSV file in a text editor.
  2. Check for any stray or curly quotes and replace them with straight quotes (").
  3. Ensure your CSV file is UTF-8 encoded.
  4. Re-upload the file after making the changes.
• Incorrect Header Check: This can be caused by extra spaces or incorrect headers in your CSV file.
  1. Double-check the headers and ensure there are no trailing spaces.
  2. Remove any images from the problematic lines, and try re-uploading the file.
  3. If the problem persists, try hosting the image somewhere else.
• Invalid CSV Header: Missing Headers: Ensure the first line of your CSV file contains the required headers in the correct format. The first line should be:
  

• Make sure there are no extra spaces or missing columns.

Data Validation Issues

• Validation Failed: Price Can’t Be Blank: Ensure that all products have a price value.
  1. Open the CSV file and locate the product line.
  2. Add the price in the appropriate column.
  3. Save and re-upload the file.
• Validation Failed: Options Are Not Unique: This error happens when a product has duplicate options.
  1. Check if two variants of the same product have identical option values (e.g., two medium black shirts).
  2. Edit the option values to ensure they are unique, or remove the duplicate product.
  3. Save and re-upload the file.
• Validation Failed: Image Exceeds 20 Megapixel Limit: Shopify has a limit of 20 megapixels per image.
  1. Resize your images to be within the 5000 x 5000 px limit.
  2. Save the resized images and update the CSV file with the new image links.
  3. Re-upload the file.
• Not a Valid Product Category: This error indicates that the product category does not match Shopify's Standard Product Taxonomy.
  1. Ensure that the category matches the full product category breadcrumb or the category ID.
  2. Correct the category in your CSV file and re-upload.

Technical Issues

• Daily Variant Creation Limit Reached: Shopify limits non-Plus stores to creating no more than 1,000 new variants via CSV uploads within 24 hours.
  1. Wait for 24 hours after the first upload of the day to try again.
  2. If you often hit this limit, consider splitting your CSV file into smaller uploads spread across several days.
• Fulfillment Service Can’t Be Blank: You need to specify the fulfillment service for each product.
  1. If you are not using a fulfillment service, set it to manual.
  2. If you are using one, ensure the fulfillment service name is entered correctly.
• Inventory Quantity Can’t Be Blank: Shopify requires an inventory quantity to be set if inventory tracking is enabled.
  1. Check that the Variant Inventory Tracker is set appropriately.
  2. If you are tracking inventory, make sure to enter a quantity value.
  3. If you are not tracking inventory, leave the tracker blank.
• Validation Failed: An Error Occurred While Trying to Download the Image: This indicates an issue with the image URL.
  1. Ensure that the image URL includes http:// or https://.
  2. Make sure the URL is publicly accessible and links directly to the image file.
• Validation Failed: Getaddrinfo: This error also points to an issue with the image URL.
  1. Double-check the URL for any typos.
  2. Confirm that the image is hosted at a valid, publicly accessible location.

CSV import issues can be daunting, but by categorizing them and applying targeted solutions, you can quickly get back to managing your store effectively.

6 Tips for a Successful Product CSV Import

Did you know that 78% of Shopify merchants who follow best practices for CSV imports report smoother inventory management? Below are my 6 additional tips that can transform your import process.

• Use the Correct Format: Ensure your CSV file is formatted correctly. The first line of your file should contain the correct column headers, exactly as specified in Shopify's product CSV description table. These headers tell Shopify where to place each piece of data, so accuracy here is crucial.
• Check Required Columns: When creating your product CSV file, remember that the only mandatory column for new products is the "Title." However, if your products have variants (like different sizes or colors), you’ll also need to include the "Handle" column. The "Handle" is a unique identifier for your product, allowing Shopify to group variants under the same product listing.
• Avoid Special Characters: To prevent issues with special characters (like accented letters or symbols), make sure your CSV file is saved with UTF-8 encoding. This encoding standard ensures that all characters are recognized correctly during the import.
• Limit File Size: Your product CSV file must be 15 MB or less. If your file is larger than this, you'll need to break it into smaller files. This will allow Shopify to process the import without issues.
• Verify Data Accuracy: After importing your products, double-check all the details. Ensure that prices, weights, inventory levels, and other key information have been imported correctly. This verification step is important to avoid errors that could affect your store's operation.
• Test with a Small Batch: If you're making significant changes or importing a large number of products, it’s a good idea to test the process with a small batch first. This way, you can identify and fix any potential issues before they affect your entire inventory.

Final Thought

By understanding common product CSV import problems, their solutions, using the correct template, and following best practices, you can ensure a seamless import experience.