How to Import ERP Data into Shopify Using CSV, Connectors, or APIs
Shopify doesn’t have a built-in ERP import, so you bring ERP data in one of three ways: export it from your ERP and import it with Shopify’s CSV tools, connect the two systems with an ERP connector app, or build a custom integration with Shopify’s API. CSV works for one-time loads of products, inventory and customers, while connectors and APIs handle ongoing sync and orders.
The right approach depends on what data you’re moving and how often it changes. Getting the mapping right between your ERP fields and Shopify’s fields is what makes any ERP Shopify import reliable.
What ERP Data Can You Import Into Shopify?
Shopify can import several types of data natively, but not all of them. This table shows what’s possible without extra tools:
| Data from your ERP | Native Shopify method | Key limits |
|---|---|---|
| Products and variants | Product CSV import | 15 MB per file, matched by URL handle |
| Inventory by location | Inventory CSV import | 15 MB per file, location names must match exactly |
| Customers | Customer CSV import | 15 MB per file, matched by email or phone |
| Market or B2B prices | Catalog CSV import | Fixed prices per catalog |
| Orders | No native CSV import | Requires an app, connector or the API |
All Shopify CSV files must use UTF-8 encoding. Customer passwords, order history and customer spending totals can’t be imported through the customer CSV.
How to Import ERP Data Into Shopify With CSV
A CSV import is the simplest way to load ERP data, especially for a store launch or a one-time catalog update. Follow these steps:
- Export a Shopify template. Export a few products from Shopify to see the exact columns and format it expects.
- Export from your ERP. Run a report or export of the items, prices, stock or customers you need.
- Map the columns. Copy ERP data into the matching Shopify columns, or rename ERP headers to match Shopify’s.
- Prepare variants. Give every variant of a product the same URL handle and fill in the option name and value columns.
- Save as UTF-8 CSV. Check that each file is 15 MB or smaller, and split larger files.
- Test with a few records. Import a small file first and check the results in your admin.
- Import the full file. Go to Products > Import, select Overwrite products with matching handles when updating existing products, and confirm.
Stock levels for specific locations go in a separate inventory CSV, and customer records use the customer CSV. Product imports can’t be canceled once they start, so keep a backup export before updating existing products.
Map ERP fields to Shopify columns
ERP systems name their fields differently from Shopify, so mapping is usually the biggest part of the job. This table shows common matches:
| Typical ERP field | Shopify field |
|---|---|
| Item number or part number | SKU, and often the basis for the URL handle |
| Item name or short description | Title |
| Long description | Description (Body HTML) |
| List or retail price | Price |
| Standard or unit cost | Cost per item |
| UPC or EAN | Barcodes |
| Manufacturer or brand | Vendor |
| Item group or category | Product type, tags or category |
| Weight | Weight value in grams |
| Quantity on hand by warehouse | Inventory CSV, by location |
ERP systems often store each size or color as a separate item. In Shopify, those items usually become variants of one product, so group them under a shared handle and assign option values such as size and color.
If you manage product data across Shopify, WooCommerce or Wix, Bulkflow supports bulk import, export and updates to existing product records with field mapping. That can help when you need to map columns from an ERP export to your store’s product fields without rebuilding the file by hand.
Use an ERP Connector for Ongoing Sync
When ERP data changes daily, such as stock levels or prices, a connector keeps both systems in sync instead of relying on repeated CSV imports. Many ERPs have connector apps or integration partners that link them to Shopify.
Connectors usually move data in both directions. This table shows a common pattern:
| Data | Typical direction |
|---|---|
| Products and categories | ERP to Shopify |
| Inventory levels | ERP to Shopify |
| Prices | ERP to Shopify |
| Orders | Shopify to ERP |
| Customers and addresses | Shopify to ERP |
| Invoice, shipment and cancellation status | ERP to Shopify |
The ERPNext Shopify connector, for example, exports products and categories from ERPNext, updates stock in Shopify automatically and imports Shopify customers and sales orders into ERPNext. It also sends invoice, shipment and cancellation status back to Shopify and lets you turn automatic sync on or off for each channel.
Before choosing a connector, check which data it supports in each direction, how often it syncs and how it handles conflicts. Also confirm whether it supports variants, multiple locations and your Shopify plan.
Scheduled file imports
Some ERPs can’t connect directly but can export files on a schedule. Import apps can pick up those files from sources such as FTP or cloud storage, map the fields and import them automatically.
This middle-ground approach suits stores that need regular updates without a full connector. Check the app’s error logs after each run, since a failed import may not be obvious from your storefront.
Import Orders From an ERP
Orders are the hardest ERP data to bring into Shopify, because there’s no native order import. Merchants who need ERP orders in Shopify, such as phone or wholesale orders, usually use the Admin API, middleware or a specialized app.
A custom app can create orders through Shopify’s order APIs, and bulk operations can help with large batches. This approach needs development work, especially for mapping customers, products, payments and taxes correctly.
Draft orders are sometimes used as a workaround, but completing them reduces inventory, which may not be what you want for orders already fulfilled in your ERP. Shopify also doesn’t support editing tax lines on existing orders, so plan how taxes from your ERP will appear before importing.
Choose the Right ERP Import Approach
Each method fits a different need. Use this comparison to decide:
| Approach | Best for | Trade-offs |
|---|---|---|
| Manual CSV import | One-time loads or occasional updates | Manual mapping and no automatic sync |
| Scheduled import app | Regular file-based updates from an ERP | App costs and file format setup |
| ERP connector | Ongoing two-way sync of stock, orders and products | Setup time, licensing and sync rules to configure |
| Custom API integration | Unique workflows, orders and complex data | Development and maintenance effort |
Tips for a Reliable ERP Shopify Import
ERP imports go more smoothly with a few clear rules in place. Keep these in mind:
- Pick one source of truth per field. Decide whether the ERP or Shopify owns prices, stock and descriptions, so updates don’t overwrite each other.
- Keep SKUs unique and stable. SKUs often link records between the two systems.
- Don’t change option values casually. Editing them in a product CSV creates new variant IDs, which can break connector links.
- Be careful with customer overwrites. Overwriting customers by CSV replaces their stored data, so include every field you want to keep.
- Test in small batches. Import a few records first, then scale up once the mapping works.
- Monitor errors. Review import results and connector logs regularly.
Common ERP Shopify Import Problems
Most issues come from mismatched data or unclear ownership between systems. Watch for these:
- Duplicate products appear. Handles in the import file didn’t match existing products.
- Variants show as separate products. ERP items weren’t grouped under one handle with option values.
- Stock levels are wrong. Location names in the inventory CSV don’t match Shopify exactly, or two systems update stock.
- Special characters look garbled. The ERP export wasn’t saved as UTF-8.
- Customer details were lost. An overwrite import replaced fields that weren’t included in the file.
- Orders can’t be imported by CSV. Shopify needs an app, connector or the API for order imports.
Conclusion
An ERP Shopify import works best when you match the method to the data and how often it changes. CSV imports handle one-time loads, while connectors and APIs keep stock, prices and orders aligned between systems over time. We hope this guide helps you plan your ERP Shopify import with confidence. To import and update product data in bulk, you can explore Bulkflow.
