CSV files are often used to export & import products into your eCommerce store. Using a CSV file, you can import, export, and download your online store’s data & update or edit existing product information quickly. PH MultiCarrier Shipping Label App & WooCommerce Shipping Services helps to ease this process within your Shopify & WooCommerce store.
Let’s check how to use CSV files within your eCommerce store to better organize large amounts of store & product details.
On this page
How to import products within Shopify and WooCommerce
Know your CSV in Detail
Common Errors while Importing CSV Files
Check whether your products are imported successfully
How to import products within Shopify and WooCommerce
To export your product details, you have to Export CSV. It will get downloaded and you can make the changes in it as per your requirements and import it. Refer below:
Know your CSV in Detail
Product Id
Product IDs are a series of numerical or alphanumerical digits that are used to identify a specific product. When you export the CSV, Product Id comes in the first column & since they are unique numbers, any changes made in the sheet will throw an error during CSV import.
Product Weight & Dimensions
Product dimensions and weights describe the dimensions, weights, and units of specific inventory variants. These are important fields for having accurate shipping rates.
In the sheet, you can edit or add weight & dimensions along with dimension units for large sets of products.
Note: The valid dimension units are: lb/in(Inches), kg/cm(Centimeters).
Country, State & District of Manufacture
In the sheet, you can add or edit the product manufacturing country, state & district for all the products especially if you are shipping internationally for easy customs clearance.
Customs Description and Customs Value
Customs Description is a detailed description of the goods contained in a shipment. A clear and accurate description gives customs authorities the information required to access taxes and duties and helps avoid any unnecessary delays.
If you want to show custom value on your commercial invoice instead of the original product price or discounted price, enter the value under the Custom Value column.
In the excel sheet, you can edit or add customs descriptions & customs values to reduce the risk of your shipment being held at customs.
Pre-Packed and Exclude from Shipping
If you are selling products that ship in their own boxes and do not require additional boxes for shipping like pre-packed food products or cosmetics you can add “TRUE” in the sheet under Pre Packed column.
Also, if you are shipping products like gift cards or free items and want to exclude them from shipping charges, add “TRUE” it under Exclude from Shipping column.
Freight Shipment
While shipping products that weigh more than 150lbs you need to add the Freight class based on your product weight range.
If you are shipping freight products, these are the valid values and format for Freight Class to fill in the sheet:
CLASS_050
CLASS_055
CLASS_060
CLASS_065
CLASS_070
CLASS_077_5
CLASS_085
CLASS_092_5
CLASS_100
CLASS_110
CLASS_125
CLASS_150
CLASS_175
CLASS_200
CLASS_250
CLASS_300
CLASS_400
CLASS_500
Harmonized Code
Harmonized System (HS) Codes are commonly used throughout the export process for goods. It is used by customs authorities to identify products when assessing duties and taxes.
If you shipping internationally, you can add HS Code to the sheet under Harmonized Code column.
Alcohol Shipment
Alcohol carries certain restrictions based on the shipping carriers you choose, and each shipment is constantly monitored by government officials. Therefore it is important to mention that you shipping alcohol-based products or beverages.
In the sheet add whether your Shipment includes alcohol or not and the Alcohol recipient type: CONSUMER and LICENSEE under these following columns.
Stock Keeping Unit (SKU)
SKU or stock-keeping unit is a number (usually eight alphanumeric digits) assigned to products to keep track of stock levels internally.
If you want to edit or add SKU for your products, enter the details under the SKU column.
Dry Ice Shipment
Dry ice shipping makes use of dry ice to keep temperature-sensitive goods intact during shipping. It is extremely cold and can be hazardous if not managed correctly, hence labeling makes it easier to handle with special care.
If you are shipping your products with dry ice, you can edit or add Dry Ice weight & units to the sheet.
Note: Valid Values for Dry Ice Weight Units are kgs & lbs
If you’re shipping with UPS, for air shipment of dry ice in the United States whether for diagnostic/medical treatment purposes or non-medical, non-hazardous you will need to comply with the regulations found at 49 CFR 173.217. If you’re shipping dry ice internationally, IATA regulations apply.
In the sheet, you can edit or add the UPS Dry Ice regulations in the following format: CFR or IATA
Delivery Confirmation or Proof of Delivery (POD)
Proof of delivery or Delivery Confirmation is a delivery receipt that confirms a consignee has received the correct goods.
If you want to prevent delivery related customer disputes you can add whether you want delivery confirmation in the sheet as well.
In the most basic form of POD, the delivery driver will collect a signature from the recipient, with the date and time when the recipient received their package.
FedEx
- While shipping with FedEx the valid values for FedEx Signature Options to enter in the sheet are:
- ADULT
- DIRECT
- INDIRECT
- SERVICE_DEFAULT
UPS
- If you are shipping with UPS the valid values for UPS Signature Options to enter in the sheet are:
- SIGNATURE_CONFIRMATION
- ADULT_SIGNATURE_CONFIRMATION
USPS
- While shipping with USPS the valid values for USPS Signature Options to enter in the sheet are:
- NORMAL
- ADULT
Purolator
- If you shipping with Purolator the valid values for Purolator Signature Options to enter in the sheet are:
- AdultSignatureRequired
- ResidentialSignature
- OriginSignatureNotRequired
EasyPost
- While shipping with EasyPost the valid values for EasyPost Signature Options to enter in the sheet are:
- ADULT_SIGNATURE
- SIGNATURE, NO_SIGNATURE
- INDIRECT_SIGNATURE
- ADULT_SIGNATURE_RESTRICTED
- SIGNATURE_RESTRICTED
- DO_NOT_SAFE_DROP
MyFastway
- If you shipping with MyFastway the valid values for MyFastway Signature Options to enter in the sheet are:
- MY_FASTWAY_SIGNATURE_REQUIRED
- MY_FASTWAY_AUTHORITY_TO_LEAVE
Common Errors while Importing CSV Files
- The file should be saved in CSV format
Once you have added details & information, save your file in the CSV format before importing.
- The product Id column should not be reformated
Product Ids are unique numbers and any changes made in the sheet will throw an error during CSV import.
- Columns within the CSV file shouldn’t be deleted
Even if certain columns are not required for your store, make sure not to delete them to avoid errors while importing.
Check whether your products are imported successfully
After checking the common errors, head to the Bulk Import section to check if your imports are successful. It will display Batch Completed if your imports are successful.
If your imports failed then it will display Batch Failed in the same dashboard with the failure details as shown below:
You check the error details, edit your exported sheet accordingly and import it again.
Interested in learning more about how PluginHive can provide you with the perfect shipping solution to meet the needs of your growing eCommerce business? Reach out for a conversation with our team of experts today.
