The CSV points to images. It does not carry images.
This is the most common misunderstanding. A Shopify product CSV can reference product images, but the image bytes are not inside the spreadsheet. Shopify reads the Image Src column and fetches the image from that URL during import.
That means your image workflow matters as much as your CSV formatting. A perfect row with a fragile URL can still produce a broken product page.
Why eBay image URLs are a weak import source
Marketplace image URLs are built for marketplace pages, not for your permanent Shopify catalog. They can be resized, redirected, expire in some contexts, or include extra images that are not good storefront photos.
Even when the URL works today, the image itself may still carry repeated seller branding, shipping stamps, text overlays, or backgrounds that look out of place on Shopify and TikTok Shop.
What Shopify expects
At import time, Shopify needs image URLs that it can reach over HTTP or HTTPS without a login. For multiple images, you use multiple rows with the same product handle and different Image Src values. Shopify can then attach the images to the product.
No password, no private drive link, no expired CDN token.
Additional images need their own rows under the same handle.
The URL needs to stay alive long enough for Shopify to fetch it.
The main product image should clearly show the product without clutter.
How Storeshift handles it
Storeshift downloads every product image from the source listing, runs cleanup, uploads the processed result to Cloudflare R2, and writes the hosted HTTPS URLs into the Shopify CSV. The customer does not have to upload images into Shopify Files first or hand-edit Image Src rows.
This is also why Storeshift product image URLs intentionally stay public for import. Sensitive artifacts like the CSV and product database are protected behind authenticated download routes, but Shopify needs the product images to be fetchable during CSV import.
Sources
FAQ
Why did my Shopify CSV import products without images?
Usually because the Image Src URL was missing, private, expired, blocked, or not grouped correctly with the product handle.
Can I put image files directly inside a Shopify CSV?
No. The CSV references image URLs. Shopify fetches the images from those URLs during import.
Should eBay images be cleaned before importing into Shopify?
Yes if you want the Shopify product page to look professional. Clean images are also better for Google Shopping and TikTok Shop review.