Import Products Tool for BigCommerce
🔧 Quick Info: Import Products lets you update existing BigCommerce products or create new ones from a CSV or Excel spreadsheet. Products are matched by SKU, and only the fields you include and map are processed.
What It Does
Import Products lets you update your existing BigCommerce catalog or add brand-new products from a single spreadsheet.
You upload a CSV or Excel file, match its columns to BigCommerce product fields, and the tool applies the mapped values to your store.
Each row is matched using the product’s SKU:
- If the SKU already exists, the matching product is updated.
- If the SKU does not exist and Create New Products, if SKU doesn’t exist is enabled, a new product is created.
- If the SKU does not exist and the option is disabled, the row is skipped and reported as an error.
Only Mapped Fields Are Processed: Columns you do not map are ignored. Existing product fields that are not included in the import remain unchanged.
The import runs as a background job, so you can close the page after starting it. When the process finishes, the tool can send you an email notification.
If any rows cannot be imported, the tool creates an error report so you can correct those rows and upload them again.
When Should You Use This?
- You want to update prices across many products at once.
- You need to refresh product inventory levels or warning quantities.
- You want to update descriptions, dimensions, weights, identifiers, or SEO fields in bulk.
- You need to assign products to categories, brands, or storefront channels.
- You want to add or replace product images from public image URLs.
- You are creating a group of new products from a spreadsheet.
- You exported your catalog, edited the file, and want to import the changes back into BigCommerce.
- You prefer working in a spreadsheet instead of editing products individually.
Before You Get Started
- Your BigCommerce store must be connected to the tool.
- Your store connection must have permission to create and update products through the BigCommerce API.
- Prepare a CSV or Excel spreadsheet.
- The first row of the spreadsheet must contain the column names or headers.
- Include a SKU column. Every row must have a SKU.
- Decide whether unknown SKUs should create new products or be skipped.
- Confirm that you are working with the correct connected store.
SKU Is Required: The SKU is used to match an existing product or create a new one. Rows with a blank SKU cannot be processed.
How to Use It
1 Open the Tool
Open the Import Products tool for your connected BigCommerce store.
2 Review the File Requirements
On the Upload Products step, review the on-screen instructions. The first row of your file must contain the column names, and the file must include a SKU column.
3 Choose Whether to Create New Products
Choose whether to enable Create New Products, if SKU doesn’t exist.
- Enabled – A row with an unknown SKU creates a new product.
- Disabled – A row with an unknown SKU is skipped and added to the error report.
4 Upload the Product File
Upload your CSV or Excel spreadsheet. The tool reads the first row to identify the available columns.
5 Map the Columns
After the file is uploaded, match each spreadsheet column to the corresponding BigCommerce product field.
At minimum, map the column containing your product SKUs to SKU.
Columns you do not map are ignored. Review the mappings carefully before continuing.
6 Configure Email Delivery
On the Email Delivery step, choose whether you want an email notification when the import is complete. Confirm or change the email address that should receive the notice.
7 Start the Import
Submit the import. The tool processes the spreadsheet as a background job, so you can leave the page while it runs.
8 Review the Results
When the import is complete, review the notification and confirm that the products were updated or created as expected.
If any rows could not be processed, download the error report, correct those rows, and import them again.
How Products Are Matched
| SKU Result | Create New Products Off | Create New Products On |
|---|---|---|
| SKU already exists | The existing product is updated. | The existing product is updated. |
| SKU does not exist | The row is skipped and reported as an error. | A new product is created. |
| SKU is blank | The row cannot be processed. | The row cannot be processed. |
Clearing Existing Values
You can clear certain optional text or list fields on an existing product by entering the following value in the spreadsheet cell:
delete
When the column is mapped, the tool removes the existing value instead of leaving it unchanged.
Use Carefully: The value delete is an instruction to clear the field. Do not use it unless you intend to remove the product’s current value.
File and Field Reference
Your file only needs the fields you want to update, plus the required SKU column. After uploading the file, map each spreadsheet column to the matching field.
| Column | Required? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| SKU | Yes | Used to match an existing product or create a new one. Supports up to 255 characters. |
| Name | No | The product name. Supports up to 255 characters. |
| Price | Required when updating an existing product | The product’s regular price. Use a numeric value. |
| Sale Price | No | The product’s sale price. Use a numeric value. |
| Cost Price | No | The internal product cost. Use a numeric value. |
| Retail Price | No | The retail or manufacturer’s suggested price. Use a numeric value. |
| MAP Price | No | The minimum advertised price. Use a numeric value. |
| Type | No | Use physical or digital. The values p and d are also accepted. Defaults to physical. |
| Description | No | The product description. |
| UPC | No | The Universal Product Code. Supports up to 32 characters. |
| MPN | No | The manufacturer’s part number. |
| GTIN | No | The Global Trade Item Number. |
| Bin Picking Number | No | The warehouse bin or picking reference. |
| Categories | No | A comma-separated list of category IDs. |
| Channels | No | A comma-separated list of channel IDs where the product should be assigned. |
| Brand | No | The brand name. Use either Brand or Brand ID, but not both. |
| Brand ID | No | The numeric BigCommerce brand ID. Use either Brand or Brand ID, but not both. |
| Related Products | No | A comma-separated list of related product values. |
| Product Image URL – 1 through 10 | Required when the matching Image ID is provided | A valid, publicly reachable image URL. Each image can also have a matching Image ID and Image Alt field. |
| What Image Should Be Used as the Product Thumbnail? | No | Enter the image number from 1 through 10 that should be used as the product thumbnail. |
| Video | No | A YouTube video ID. |
| Purchasability (Availability) | No | Use available, disabled, or preorder. The values a, d, and p are also accepted. |
| Availability Description | No | Optional availability text shown for the product. |
| Minimum Purchase Quantity | No | The minimum quantity a customer may purchase. Use a whole number. |
| Maximum Purchase Quantity | No | The maximum quantity a customer may purchase. Use a whole number. |
| Preorder Message | No | The message displayed when the product is available for preorder. |
| Preorder Release Date | No | The preorder release date. |
| Condition | No | Use new, used, or refurbished. The values n, u, and r are also accepted. |
| Weight | No | The product weight. Use a numeric value. Defaults to 0. |
| Width, Height, and Depth | No | The product dimensions. Use numeric values. |
| Fixed Cost Shipping Price | No | The fixed shipping charge assigned to the product. Use a numeric value. |
| Inventory Level | No | The current product inventory quantity. Use a whole number. |
| Inventory Warning Level | No | The low-stock warning quantity. Use a whole number. |
| Inventory Tracking | No | Use none, product, or variant. The values n, p, and v are also accepted. |
| Is Visible | No | Controls whether the product appears on the storefront. Use a true or false value. |
| Is Featured | No | Controls whether the product is featured. Use a true or false value. |
| Is Free Shipping | No | Controls whether the product receives free shipping. Use a true or false value. |
| Is Condition Shown | No | Controls whether the product condition is shown to shoppers. Use a true or false value. |
| Show “Call for Pricing” Message Instead of the Price | No | Use a true or false value. Use with the Call for Pricing Label field. |
| Call for Pricing Label | No | The message shown instead of the product price. |
| Tax Class ID | No | The BigCommerce tax class assigned to the product. |
| Product Tax Code | No | The product tax code. |
| Warranty | No | The product warranty information. |
| Sort Order | No | The product’s display order. Use a whole number. |
| Page Title | No | The SEO page title. |
| Meta Keywords | No | A comma-separated list of SEO keywords. |
| Meta Description | No | The SEO meta description. |
| Search Keywords | No | Keywords used by your store’s internal search. |
| Layout File | No | An advanced field used to assign a product template or layout file. |
Troubleshooting and FAQ
A SKU was skipped with a “does not exist” error
The SKU does not exist in your store and Create New Products, if SKU doesn’t exist was disabled. Enable the option and import the row again if you want the tool to create the product.
My file was not accepted or the columns looked wrong
Make sure the first row contains your column names and that the file includes a SKU column. Correct the header row and upload the file again.
An image did not import
Confirm that the image URL is valid, publicly reachable, and points directly to an image file. A Product Image URL is required whenever you provide its matching Product Image ID.
Some product fields did not change
Only columns included in the file and mapped during the upload are processed. Unmapped columns are ignored, and fields that are not included remain unchanged.
Where do the results go?
Successful changes are written directly to your BigCommerce store. If email delivery was enabled, you’ll receive a notification when the background import finishes. Rows that could not be processed are included in an error report.