How to Import WooCommerce Products (2025)

Last Updated on December 4, 2025 by Himanshu Rawat

Whether you’re setting up a new WooCommerce store or migrating from another platform, importing products efficiently can save hours of manual work. WooCommerce offers built-in tools for importing products, and there are also powerful third-party plugins that make the process faster, more accurate, and more flexible.

In this guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about importing products into WooCommerce, from CSV requirements to bulk uploads, images, variations, and advanced automation methods.

Why Import WooCommerce Products?

Importing products is one of the most efficient ways to set up and manage your WooCommerce store. Instead of adding each item manually, the import feature allows you to upload large product lists in minutes, reduce human errors, and maintain a consistent catalog, especially when launching a new store or migrating from another platform.

Importing products helps you:

• Upload hundreds of products quickly when starting your store
• Move your catalog from Shopify, BigCommerce, Etsy, or Wix
• Update key product details like stock, prices, and descriptions in bulk
• Manage large inventories without editing each product individually
• Speed up onboarding for dropshipping or supplier-based stores

Methods for Importing Products

WooCommerce users can choose from multiple import strategies depending on their catalog size, technical expertise, and needs.

Native WooCommerce CSV Importer

WooCommerce’s built-in CSV importer supports straightforward product uploads through a simple interface. 

It is ideal for small stores or those just starting out, with limitations when dealing with large datasets or complex product types.

Using Plugins for Advanced Importing

For larger catalogs or more control, plugins like WP All Import, Product Import Export for WooCommerce, and Product CSV Import Suite are popular choices. 

These plugins facilitate complex data mapping, scheduled imports, and bulk updates, making them suitable for growing or high-volume stores.

Expert Migration Services

For seamless platform migration or bulk catalog management, expert services like LitExtension can handle large-scale data transfers effectively, particularly when CSV files are limited by server constraints or require extensive customization.

Step-by-Step Guide to Import Products

1. Create or Obtain a Product Data File

WooCommerce supports importing product data using a CSV (Comma-Separated Values) file, a simple spreadsheet format readable by most programs, such as Excel or Google Sheets, and often exported from other e-commerce systems.

Your CSV file should have columns representing product details like:

• Product Name
• SKU (Stock Keeping Unit)
• Price
• Description
• Categories
• Tags
• Stock status and quantity
• Product images URLs
• Attributes (color, size, etc.)
• Variations (if for variable products)

Properly formatting this file is critical to a smooth import process.

Note: For users of the premium Product CSV Import Suite plugin, be sure to review the official documentation, which offers complete guidance on its enhanced importing capabilities.

2. Import with WooCommerce Built-in Tool

The WooCommerce built-in CSV importer makes product uploads easy in a few simple steps:

Step 1. Go to your WordPress dashboard and navigate to Products > All Products.

Step 2. Click the Import button at the top of the page.

Step 3. Select your CSV file by clicking Choose File and then Continue to proceed.

Step 4. WooCommerce will automatically map columns from your CSV to product fields. Review these mappings and adjust if necessary to ensure data accuracy.

Step 5. If you want to update existing products in your store using SKUs or IDs, check the Update existing products option.

Step 6. Click Run the Importer to start the process. A progress bar will show the status.

Step 7. Once finished, verify the imported products in your product list for accuracy.

This streamlined process supports simple and variable products, helping store owners quickly manage inventory without manual entry.

3. Using Import Plugins

If your store has complex product data or frequent updates, WooCommerce import plugins make the process easy with automated mapping, scheduling, and advanced data handling.

Step 1. Install and activate your plugin:

Download a trusted WooCommerce product import plugin (free or premium) and activate it from your Plugins menu.

Step 2. Create a new import profile:

Open the plugin and start a new import. Most tools let you save profiles for recurring or automated product updates.

Step 3. Upload and review your CSV/XML file:

Choose your prepared product file. The plugin will scan it and display a preview, allowing you to identify any issues early.

Step 4. Map attributes to WooCommerce fields:

Drag and drop your file’s columns, like SKU, price, and categories, into the correct WooCommerce fields for accurate importing.

Step 5. Configure additional settings:

Set up scheduling, validation rules, and duplicate-handling preferences based on your workflow.

Step 6. Run the import and verify:

Begin the import and track the progress. After it finishes, review your WooCommerce products to confirm everything looks correct.

4. Import Product Images

To import product images into WooCommerce, the crucial step is to include image URLs in your product CSV file. Here’s how you do it effectively:

Step 1. Add image URLs to your CSV:

• Create a column named images and add the full URL of each image. For multiple images, separate URLs with commas. 
• The first URL becomes the main image; the rest go into the gallery.

Step 2. Use public, direct links:

• Make sure the URLs are direct image links and publicly accessible, whether hosted on your site or elsewhere.

Step 3. Import and map fields:

• Upload your CSV using WooCommerce’s built-in importer or a plugin, and map the images column to the product image field.

Step 4. Verify after import:

• WooCommerce will download and assign the images automatically. Review product pages to ensure everything looks correct.

This approach works for both simple and variable products and makes bulk image importing fast and efficient.

5. Importing Products from Another Platform

Most platforms allow exporting product data to a CSV.

Common workflows:

1. Shopify to WooCommerce

• Export CSV from Shopify
• Adjust column names
• Import via WooCommerce importer

2. Etsy to WooCommerce

• Export listings CSV
• Clean up columns
• Import using the built-in importer or plugin

3. BigCommerce to WooCommerce

• Export products
• Convert fields
• Import via plugin for accuracy

Troubleshooting Common WooCommerce Products Import Errors

Here are some possible errors during WooCommerce product import, such as images not importing, variations not linking, CSV upload issues, and duplicate products, plus quick tips to fix them easily.

1.  Images not importing

• Check if URLs are publicly accessible
• Remove tracking parameters
• Make sure they end with .jpg, .png, etc.

2. Variations not linking

• Make sure the parent SKU exists
• Attribute names must match exactly
• Type must be set correctly

3. CSV upload error

• Save file as UTF-8 CSV
• Remove hidden characters
• Avoid Excel formatting issues

4. Products duplicated

• Ensure SKUs are unique
• Enable “Update existing products” when re-importing

Best Practices for WooCommerce Product Import

• Always back up your site before importing:
  This ensures you can quickly restore your store if anything goes wrong during the import process.
• Use a staging site for large or complex imports:
  Testing on a staging environment helps you identify errors or mapping issues without affecting your live store.
• Maintain a consistent CSV format:
  Keep your columns organized and ensure each field is correctly mapped to WooCommerce to avoid data mismatches.
• Use proper image URLs:
  Add absolute, publicly accessible URLs in your CSV, or upload images separately if needed to prevent broken thumbnails.
• Validate your CSV for errors:
  Check for missing values, formatting issues, or invalid data to reduce import failures and ensure smoother processing.
• Schedule imports when syncing external data:
  If your products change frequently, set up automated or periodic imports to keep your WooCommerce catalog always up to date.

Final Thoughts

Importing products into WooCommerce is easier than it seems. With a clean CSV file, reliable image URLs, and the right tools or plugins, you can upload and manage your catalog quickly. Following simple best practices ensures a smooth, error-free process, helping you save time, stay organized, and scale your store with confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions 

1. What file format does WooCommerce support for product imports?

WooCommerce supports CSV files for product imports. You can create or edit them in tools like Excel, Google Sheets, or export them from another eCommerce platform.

2. Can I update existing products using the import tool?

Yes. If your CSV includes existing product SKUs or IDs, you can enable “Update existing products” during import to modify prices, stock, descriptions, or other details.

3. How do I import product variations?

To import variable products, your CSV must include correct attributes, variation SKUs, and link each variation to a parent product. Attribute names must match exactly in every row.

4. Why are my product images not importing?

Check whether the image URLs are publicly accessible, end with a valid file extension (.jpg, .png), and don’t contain tracking parameters. Incorrect or private URLs often cause image import failures.

5. Do I need a plugin for importing products?

Not always. The WooCommerce built-in importer works well for simple or moderate catalogs. However, for large stores, frequent updates, or complex product data, plugins like WP All Import or Product CSV Import Suite provide better automation and customization options.