Is my CSV file broken?

Usually not. Shopify's guidance points to the image on that line, not the CSV format. If removing the image makes the import work, the file itself is fine.

Will re-importing the corrected CSV create duplicate products?

Not if you select “Overwrite products with matching handles”. Products with the same URL handle are updated instead of being created again.

Fix “Incorrect header check” in a Shopify CSV import

Shopify couldn't read the data it downloaded for an image on that line. Remove the image from that line and import again. If that works, host the image somewhere else, such as Shopify Files, and add it back.

Error message in Shopify

Incorrect header check

What this error means

Shopify's help center ties this error to an image: its fix is to remove the image from the line and try again, and then host the image somewhere else if that resolves the issue. “Incorrect header check” is a technical message that appears when downloaded data isn't in the format the reader expects, which suggests the image's server didn't return a readable image file.

Common causes

The image link returns an error page, a login page or other content instead of the image file.
The image file on the server is damaged.
The server sends the file in a way Shopify can't read.

How to fix it

Find the line in the error message.
Copy the image URL from Product image URL or Variant image URL on that line, then clear the cell.
Import the file again. If the import now works, the image was the cause.
Download the original image and upload it to Shopify Files or another host.
Add the image to the product with the new URL, either in the Shopify admin or by importing a corrected CSV with “Overwrite products with matching handles” selected.

How to prevent it

Host product images on Shopify Files or a reliable image CDN instead of a personal website or file-sharing service.
Open a few image URLs in a private browser window before importing to make sure they show the image itself.

Check the rest of your file

Skuvera can't detect this particular problem before import, but it checks your product CSV against Shopify's other rules in your browser, so you can fix everything else in one go. Free, no sign-up.

Check your CSV

Frequently asked questions

Is my CSV file broken?: Usually not. Shopify's guidance points to the image on that line, not the CSV format. If removing the image makes the import work, the file itself is fine.
Will re-importing the corrected CSV create duplicate products?: Not if you select “Overwrite products with matching handles”. Products with the same URL handle are updated instead of being created again.

Learn more

Read Shopify’s explanation

Other import errors

Updated October 30, 2026