- Export the Shopify catalog as a CSV: Products → Export → UTF-8 CSV format.
- Open the CSV Catalog Checker at /shopify-hs-code-country-of-origin/.
- Drag and drop or select the exported CSV file. The tool reads it locally.
- Review the generated report: flag type, SKU, current field value, and suggested fix.
- Sort the report by sales volume to prioritize high-value SKUs.
- For each flagged SKU, verify the correct HS code and country of origin using product facts and official tariff sources.
- Update the CSV with the verified values.
- Re-run the CSV checker to confirm flags are resolved.
- Re-import the cleaned CSV into Shopify.
- Verify a random sample of cleaned products in the product editor.
Guide
How to Run an HS Code and Country of Origin CSV Checker
Step-by-step guide to running the TariffCatalog CSV checker on a Shopify export, interpreting the report, fixing flagged products, and re-importing the cleaned catalog.
Answer Summary
Preparation checklist
The CSV Catalog Checker scans product exports for missing or incomplete HS code and country of origin fields.
Run the checker before the first international shipment, before a major catalog update, and periodically for catalog maintenance.
Review every flagged row before re-importing a cleaned catalog.
Use this workflow
Required fields or decision table
Fields to prepare before the document draft
| Field or decision | What to prepare |
|---|---|
| How the CSV checker works | The tool reads the CSV locally in your browser. It scans column headers to identify HS code and country of origin columns, then flags products with blank, vague, or structurally invalid entries. No data is uploaded or stored. |
| What gets flagged | Blank HS code, blank country of origin, vague descriptions, structurally invalid codes (wrong digit count), and inconsistent origin entries across product variants. |
| How to interpret the report | Sort the report by flag type. Prioritize high-volume SKUs first. Review each flagged row against the supplier invoice or product specification to determine the correct value. |
| Fixing flagged HS codes | Collect product facts (material, function, construction, destination), use the AI HS Code Finder to generate candidates, verify the full national code in official tariff sources, then update the CSV. |
| Fixing flagged country of origin | Cross-reference the supplier invoice or production record. Enter the verified production country. Do not use the warehouse or store country. |
| Re-importing the cleaned catalog | After fixing flagged rows, save the CSV and re-import into Shopify. Verify a random sample of the cleaned entries in the product editor. |
Step-by-step preparation
How to prepare the draft
Ecommerce example
How this looks in a seller workflow
A Shopify seller preparing for a new sales channel exports the catalog and runs it through the CSV Catalog Checker. The report flags 34 SKUs with blank HS codes, 22 with blank country of origin, and 8 with vague product descriptions such as "accessory" and "gadget." The seller sorts by monthly revenue, fills the highest-volume flagged SKUs first, verifies each HS code candidate in USITC HTS, updates the COO from supplier invoices, and replaces vague descriptions with material + function + product type. The cleaned CSV is re-imported and the seller re-runs the checker to confirm zero flags before launching the new channel.
Verification checklist
Review the draft before it travels with the shipment
Before a document draft is used, compare it against the order record, product catalog, carrier label, and any destination-specific instructions. The preparation checklist should confirm parties, shipment channel, item descriptions, value, currency, quantity, weight, origin, HS code candidate, and any package or reference fields.
What is required depends on shipment value, carrier, destination, and product facts, so a field that is optional in one postal or carrier workflow may be required in another. When a draft supports a repeated SKU, save the checked inputs with the product record so future shipments start from reviewed data.
Use the draft as a review artifact: it should make weak descriptions, missing origin, inconsistent values, and unsupported HS code candidates easy to spot before the parcel is handed to a postal operator, carrier, marketplace label flow, or freight team.
Common mistakes
What to avoid
- Running the checker but not acting on the flagged rows.
- Accepting the checker's default suggestions without verifying against official tariff sources.
- Skipping the country of origin check and only fixing HS code flags.
- Using supplier codes from purchase orders as verified HS codes without checking the destination tariff.
- Re-importing without re-running the checker to confirm the fixes.
- Not checking variant-level HS codes and COO when the parent product appears clean.
Editorial
Editorial review note
Written by the TariffCatalog Editorial Team for ecommerce document preparation workflows. The page is designed as a preparation checklist, not a filing outcome.
Maintained by Ryan Cole, with review focused on ecommerce catalog, document, and source-check workflow clarity.
Document requirements may be required differently by carrier, destination, shipment value, and product facts. Use the methodology, sources, and corrections pages to understand how the page is maintained.
Official source note
References to verify
Use official sources, carrier guidance, postal operator rules, and destination requirements to verify before filing or shipping.
USITC HTS
Use this official source when checking final classification, duty treatment, or customs requirements.
CBPUse this official source when checking final classification, duty treatment, or customs requirements.
EU TARICUse this official source when checking final classification, duty treatment, or customs requirements.
UK Trade TariffUse this official source when checking final classification, duty treatment, or customs requirements.
FAQ
Common questions
How does the CSV Catalog Checker work?
The CSV Catalog Checker reads a product CSV file locally in your browser. It identifies columns for HS code and country of origin by header name, then flags rows that are blank, vague, or structurally invalid. Nothing is uploaded or stored on any server.
What does the CSV checker flag?
The checker flags blank HS code, blank country of origin, vague product descriptions, structurally invalid HS codes (wrong digit count), and inconsistent country of origin across product variants.
How do I prioritize which flagged products to fix first?
Sort the checker report by sales volume or revenue. Fix the highest-volume flagged SKUs first since those drive the most customs risk. Work through medium and low-volume SKUs after.
Can I skip fixing country of origin and only fix HS codes?
No. Both HS code and country of origin are required for customs documents and duty estimates. A correct HS code with no country of origin still creates a customs gap on the commercial invoice and customs declaration.
How do I verify HS codes after the checker flags them?
After the checker flags an HS code, collect the product's chief material, function, construction, and destination market. Use the AI HS Code Finder to generate candidates, then verify the full national code in USITC HTS, EU TARIC, UK Trade Tariff, or the destination tariff database.
Do I need to re-run the checker after fixing flagged products?
Yes. After fixing the flagged rows, save the updated CSV, re-run the checker on the updated file, and confirm the flags are resolved before re-importing into Shopify. This prevents re-importing a file with remaining gaps.
Disclaimer
TariffCatalog provides informational tools and preparation workflows only. Verify final classification, rates, document requirements, and filing treatment with official sources or licensed professionals.