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Etsy and Shopify SKUs: how to match products before you sync
Many sync tools rely on the SKU (your internal reference) to recognise the same product on Etsy and Shopify. Missing, mismatched or shared SKUs make stock drift, and drifting stock leads to overselling.
1. One SKU per variant, not per product
A tote bag in 3 colours needs 3 SKUs: TOTE-LIN-NAT, TOTE-LIN-BLK, TOTE-LIN-GRN. Stock is counted per variant.
2. A simple naming rule
- Capitals, digits and hyphens; no spaces or accents.
- General to specific:
TYPE-MATERIAL-COLOUR-SIZE(e.g.BAG-LTHR-BLK-M). - Never reuse a SKU for two different products.
3. Enter exactly the same SKU on both sides
- Shopify: product, then each variant, SKU field. For large catalogues, use CSV export/import.
- Etsy, listing without variations: SKU field in the listing's Inventory and pricing section (or via Quick edit on the Listings page).
- Etsy, listing with variations: when adding the variation, turn on the option for SKUs to vary, then fill in each option.
One extra space or an "O" instead of a "0" breaks the match.
4. Platform differences to know
- Number of options: Shopify allows up to 3 options per product (and 2,048 variants). Etsy also allows up to 3 variations, but unique prices, SKUs and quantities are limited to 400 combinations. Also check that your sync tool supports 3-variation Etsy listings.
- Per-option stock on Etsy: an option only has its own quantity if you turned on quantity variation for it. Check this before syncing.
- Bundles: give the bundle its own SKU and note which unit SKUs it uses.
5. Test before you trust it
Pick 2–3 products, sync, then sell (or simulate) one unit on each channel and check the other updates.
What's next
Clean SKUs make a sync reliable. StockPont, in development, will pair your listings by SKU without changing them: see founder pricing. On compliance, the GPSR requires each product to carry an identification element (type, batch, serial number or similar): a consistent internal reference helps you keep track. It's all in the free GPSR checklist.
FAQ
Is a SKU mandatory on Etsy?
No, it's an optional field. But without SKUs, a sync tool struggles to link your Etsy listings to your Shopify products.
How many options can I use?
Up to 3 on both Shopify and Etsy. On Etsy, unique prices, SKUs and quantities are limited to 400 combinations.