- Short answer
- In a Shopify product CSV, the policy column accepts only deny (the default) or continue; the setting doesn't apply to POS orders.
- Column name
- Compare your header row with a freshly downloaded sample CSV; the error page's header row still shows the old name
- Blank cell
- Gets the default, deny; Shopify's guide also says it can't be blank where Inventory tracker is shopify
- Shopify POS
- Continue doesn't apply to POS orders
- In the admin
- Click Sell when out of stock, then select Continue selling when out of stock
Which column does the error point to?
Your product CSV import stops with that message, and Shopify's import troubleshooting page says “The inventory policy needs to be set to 'deny' or 'continue'.” The header row that same page gives as your file's first line still names the column Variant Inventory Policy.
Shopify's product CSV guide and the sample CSV it offers for download call it Continue selling when out of stock (both pages read October 17, 2026). Look for either name in your header row, and compare that row with a freshly downloaded sample.
Deny or continue: which value should you set?
Each filled cell takes one of two values:
- The default
- The variant can't be bought once its tracked inventory reaches 0, except in Shopify POS, where staff can still sell it
- The variant sells past 0, showing negative inventory levels
- Doesn't apply to Shopify POS orders
Shopify lists pre-orders and stock that's coming soon among the reasons to sell past zero; weigh when continuing to sell pays off before you pick continue.
What should you check before you import again?
- Find the column under either of its two names.
- Each filled cell holds
denyorcontinueand nothing else. - Where
Inventory trackerisshopify, Shopify's guide says the cell can't be left blank, yet a blank one gets the default,deny. Values in only some related columns cause an import error (see tracking by CSV). - After the import, open a tracked product. In our development store on October 17, 2026, its Inventory section showed a Sell when out of stock chip; Shopify's help says to click Sell when out of stock, and then select Continue selling when out of stock, which can be selected only with Inventory tracked on.
- Products
- Product
- Inventory
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