Create Products via CSV import

Wishing to create all your products at once in Bigblue? Let's learn how to use our CSV file importer 🧠

In this article:

  1. Importing products in Bigblue with a CSV file
  2. Building the perfect CSV file to import products πŸš€
  3. Common errors to avoid πŸ†˜
  4. Can I use a CSV import to edit already existing products?

1. Importing products in Bigblue with a CSV file

  • Open Inventory > Products
  • Select Import

  • Download the template available in the import page

  • Prepare your CSV file as explained in section 2
  • Upload your CSV file by clocking the area or by dragging your file in there
  • Review the product pages that appear - missing or flawed details will be highlighted in red

2. Building the perfect CSV file to import products πŸš€

The details provided for your products affect their logistics and their customs clearance, this is why importing a precise and exhaustive CSV file is crucial!

a) First things first

  • CSV stands for comma-separated values and is a file format (.csv) for spreadsheets
  • The simplest way to create a CSV file is to use Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets
  • Save your spreadsheet as a ".csv" file and make sure it's encoded in UTF-8 (more details here)
  • If you have a CSV file from another store or source, make sure it matches the CSV file format explained below. (If it doesn't match, an import error message will explain how to fix it.)

b) Guidelines for creating your CSV import file

New-ins! ✨

We made some changes on Lot Management, resulting in new options for the TrackLots column and a separate LotExpiryThreshold, please let our Care Team know of any questions πŸ™πŸ»

  • Include the Headers (specified below) in the first row of your spreadsheet, in the right order (as indicated in the Column number below)

    πŸ’‘ See section 2c for an explanation about each header.

  • Include the data corresponding to the headers in the following rows - one row per product
  • Each row needs to be properly formatted as per the specifications in the Product data format and Example columns below
Required (β˜‘οΈŽ) Headers Product data format Example Column number
β˜‘οΈŽ SKU SKU matching Bigblue's format BGBL-TSSP01-SSCY 1
β˜‘οΈŽ ProductName String, max 128 characters Bigblue T-Shirt Save Pandas 1 size S color yellow 2
β˜‘οΈŽ Barcode EAN-13, EAN-8 or UPC format 850368452100 3
β˜‘οΈŽ TariffNumber Between 6 and 16 digits (including ".") compliant with the international Harmonized System 010121 or 0101.21 or 0101.21.30 4
β˜‘οΈŽ OriginCountry ISO 3166-1 Alpha-2 country code CN 5
β˜‘οΈŽ TrackLots String to select among the following options y or lot_code_and_expiration or lot_code_only or n 6
β˜‘οΈŽ LotExpiryThreshold Positive integer, to add for products with expiry dates 30 or 45 (to add if TrackLots is y or lot_code_and_expiration, otherwise leave empty) 7
β˜‘οΈŽ Foldable Single character y or n 8
β˜‘οΈŽ AlreadyPackaged Single character y or n 9
β˜‘οΈŽ ProductValue Decimal number, max 2 digits, dot separated 45.12 or 45.1 or 45 Not accepted: 45,1 10
β˜‘οΈŽ CurrencyCode 3-letter ISO 4217 code EUR 11
☐ Description String, max 1280 characters Bigblue T-shirt, branded Save Pandas, made of cotton, V1 12
☐ CustomsDescription String Cotton t-shirt (size S, color yellow, "Bigblue Save Pandas 1") 13
☐ EnglishName English ProductName, max 128 characters. To add if you fulfill from an English-speaking country. Bigblue Save Pandas 1 T-Shirt size S color yellow 14
☐ FrenchName French ProductName, max 128 characters. To add if you fulfill from a French-speaking country. Bigblue Save Pandas 1 T-Shirt taille S couleur jaune 15
☐ ChineseName Mandarin ProductName, max 128 characters. To add if you fulfill from China. Bigblue Save Pandas 1 T-Shirt 尺寸小 鑏色為黃色 16
☐ Option x name String size N
☐ Option x value String S N+1

In the downloadable template, five options are displayed. If needed, add more options by adding the following two new columns for each new option:

  • The name in a column with header Option x name (where x is the unique option number)
  • The value in a column with header Option x value and placed right after the name column

⚠️ Please note that the weight and dimensions of your products are measured by the warehouse operators at their reception, this is why we do not ask for these characteristics.

c) Data fields explained

The definitions below aim at explaining the meaning of the different product data fields:

  • A product is a distinct physical good uniquely identified by a SKU
  • The SKU is each product's unique identification code. At Bigblue, a SKU is made of three parts separated by a dash -  :
    • Your 4-letter company code , for instance BGBL
    • A 6-character code (mix of letters and numbers) that identifies the product model, for instance TSSP01

    • A 4-character code representing the product options, for instance SSCY

      Example:  BGBL-TSSP01-SSCY

  • The option TrackLots enables you to choose if/how you want product lots to be managed:
    • Choosing y or lot_code_and_expiration activates both lot tracking and expiry dates
    • Choosing lot_code_only activates only lot tracking, but without expiry dates
    • Choosing n doesn't activate lot tracking (and doesn't activate expiry dates)

  • The LotExpiryThreshold defines how many days before expiry date does your product switches to "damaged" and can't be sent anymore (to avoid buyers receiving almost expired items)

    For example, if you put 30, operators will stop shipping your lot 30 days before expiry date

  • A product is Foldable if, during order preparation, it can be folded once, from one end to the other in the direction of the largest dimension.
  • A product is AlreadyPackaged if, when it is the only product in an order, it can be shipped as it is, with no additional packaging.
    • In this case, the shipping label will need to be attached directly to the product. This requires a flat surface with the following minimum dimensions: 110x190mm, to enable the shipping label to be affixed.
  • The TariffNumber is used to classify internationally traded goods. Please refer to the HS (international standardised system) to find your product classification.
  • The ProductValue is the product's manufacturing price, used for customs and insurance purposes.

  • An Option is an attribute of a product, such as its size or color. Options differentiate products of the same model (a model is a generic type of good) and their purpose is to enable quicker identification of the product internally.

    Example: the product "Bigblue Save Pandas 1 T-shirt size S, color yellow" has two options: its  size  is S  and its color  is yellow

  • CustomsDescriptions are used for customs declaration. They should clearly define the product and its composition to smoothen the customs clearance process.
  • Translated names are used to help the warehouse operators recognise your products.

3. Common errors to avoid πŸ†˜

Before uploading your CSV into the app, make sure to check that:

  • All decimal separators are "." (dots) and not "," (commas)
  • Each Bigblue SKU uses this format: "XXXX-XXXXXX-XXXX" with your quadri instead of the 4 first Xs
  • All barcodes are registered in the right format
  • Each product Description consists of a maximum of 1280 characters

4. Can I use a CSV import to edit already existing products?

  • To avoid bulk mistakes, it is not possible to edit existing products by importing a CSV.
  • Modifications of already existing products can be made manually in the Products tab.
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