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Import Subscriptions

5 min read

When to Use This Feature

The CSV import feature in Easy Subscriptions is the mechanism behind every migration guide in this help center. Use it when:

  • Migrating from another subscription app, such as Recharge, Bold, PayWhirl, Loop, or Appstle
  • Importing offline or manually managed subscription records
  • Moving to Shopify native subscriptions with Easy Subscriptions for the first time

If your store is also connecting a payment gateway to Shopify for the first time, such as Braintree, Authorize.net, or PayPal Express, complete that connection step first using the relevant gateway guide, then return here to import your subscription data.

Step by Step Guide

Step 1: Navigate to the Import Subscriptions Section

  1. Open your Shopify admin dashboard.
  2. From the left sidebar, go to Apps, then Easy Subscriptions.
  3. Click Settings.
  4. Select Import Subscriptions.

Step 2: Download the CSV Template

Click Download Template, located below the upload area. This file defines the required columns and format for your import. Fields typically include:

FieldNotes
Customer EmailMust match an existing customer or be paired with First Name and Last Name for new customers
Product IDThe Shopify product tied to the subscription
Contract StatusActive, Paused, or another supported status
Billing CycleFor example, every 30 days
Next Order DateThe date the next charge should process
Payment Gateway IDFormat depends on the connected gateway, see the table below

If a customer does not already exist in Shopify, include their first name and last name alongside their email address. Shopify uses these fields to send automated subscription update emails, and a missing name field can cause that row to fail.

Payment Gateway ID Formats by Gateway

The Payment Gateway ID field is not a single universal format. It depends on which gateway the subscription bills through:

GatewayExpected ID Format
Shopify PaymentsNo separate ID needed for standard migration
StripeCustomer ID and payment method ID
BraintreeCustomer ID and payment method token
Authorize.netCustomer profile ID and payment profile ID
PayPal ExpressBilling agreement ID, must begin with B dash

Using the wrong ID format for a gateway is one of the most common reasons a row fails validation, so confirm which gateway each row belongs to before filling in this column.

Step 3: Upload the Completed CSV File

  1. Return to the Import Subscriptions page.
  2. Click Add Files and select your completed CSV.
  3. Click Upload File to begin the import.

Step 4: Confirm Upload and Validate Data

If the CSV matches the required format and contains valid data, the import begins automatically. Once complete, a success message confirms the subscriptions were added.

Any invalid or missing data produces an error message instead. Before re-uploading, check that:

  • Column headers match the template exactly
  • Field values match expected formats, including dates, emails, and product IDs
  • Payment Gateway ID values match the format required for that row’s gateway

Contact support if you are unsure why a row failed.

Important Notes

  • Your CSV must match the template format exactly, including column order and naming. Renaming or reordering columns will cause the import to fail.
  • If migrating from another platform, use a mapping tool to align your export file’s columns with the Easy Subscriptions template before uploading.
  • For large volume imports, Shopify supports bulk import operations that do not count against standard API limits, which helps prevent large files from timing out.
  • For complex contract data or large volume cleanup, contact support for assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between this guide and the platform specific migration guides?

This guide covers the CSV import mechanics themselves, which every migration path uses. The Braintree, Authorize.net, and PayPal Express guides cover the extra step of connecting or reconfiguring that gateway before you reach this stage.

What happens if a customer in my CSV does not exist in Shopify yet?

Include their email address, first name, and last name in the row. Shopify creates the customer record using those fields and uses them to send subscription update emails going forward.

Why does the Payment Gateway ID field look different for each row?

Each gateway generates a different type of reference ID. Stripe and Braintree use a customer ID paired with a payment method ID or token, Authorize.net uses a customer profile ID, and PayPal Express uses a billing agreement ID that must begin with B dash.

Can I import a large number of subscriptions at once?

Yes. Shopify supports bulk import operations for large volumes of subscription and customer data without counting against standard API limits.

What should I do if my import fails?

Check the error message against the column headers and field formats in the template first. Most failures come from mismatched columns, incorrect date formats, or an incorrectly formatted Payment Gateway ID. Contact support if the error is unclear.

Do I need to reformat my CSV every time I import?

Download a fresh template before each import, since Easy Subscriptions may update the required format over time.

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