Troubleshoot common issues when importing inventory via a CSV file.
This article includes troubleshooting steps for issues related to importing inventory via a CSV file as well as some useful tips to help ensure importing your inventory goes smoothly. Expand a section title in the list below to view the reason the issue occurs and the action to take to resolve the issue.
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Use the provided
InventoryImportSample.csv
file: Create your inventory import CSV file using the provided ShipStation CSV template. This ensures that the file is formatted correctly and that it contains all of the required information. -
Do not change the headers: Do not make any changes to the text or change the order of the columns in the header row (row 1) of the pre-formatted CSV template. Doing so will cause the product import to fail.
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Required fields: The SKU and Stock fields are required and must be included in the CSV import file.
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Inventory Warehouse: Reducing inventory stock to 0 for a product will not remove the Inventory Warehouse Location.
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Stock Levels: The imported Stock level (the Stock field in the CSV file being imported) cannot be less than the current Allocated amount for a given product SKU. Check current Allocated levels in ShipStation in the
Products > Inventory
grid.
The Issue
After importing inventory from a CSV file, some of the inventory information is missing. The fields are blank.
The Cause
Data in ShipStation is overwritten by the data imported from a CSV file.
When importing a CSV, blank fields in the CSV file will cause the corresponding field to be blank in ShipStation.
The Fix
Ensure that all of the fields in the CSV file are filled in for the inventory being imported.
The Issue
After importing inventory from a CSV, some of the details for inventory records already in ShipStation are now incorrect.
The Cause
Data in ShipStation is overwritten by the data imported from a CSV file.
Inventory CSV files imported into ShipStation that contain the same SKU as an inventory record already in ShipStation will update the existing inventory information.
The Fix
Ensure that the inventory CSV file being imported into ShipStation includes only the inventory information you wish to be added or updated.