# Mart step 2: import the Product Library Mart catalog

> Import thousands of ready-made grocery products with barcodes, brands, categories and photos from the Product Library, then add your own prices and stock.

Source: https://docs.smartposhub.com/business-types/mart/step-2-product-library-mart-catalog/  
Last updated: 2026-10-30  
Product: SmartPOS Hub (https://smartposhub.com)

The **Product Library** is a shared catalog of ready-made products. Its **Mart / Karyana / General store** catalog holds more than 16,000 grocery, household and personal care products in 14 departments, with real barcodes, brands, categories and many photos. Importing from it saves days of data entry: you pick what you stock, import, then add your prices and quantities.

> **How to turn it on**
> 1. **Plan:** Product Library must be included in your plan (Settings › Package Subscription shows it)
> 2. **Switch:** Settings › Business Settings › Modules › Product Library (off by default)
> 3. **Permission:** Import products from the Product Library (roles that can add products get it automatically)

## Before you start

- Your locations exist ([step 1](https://docs.smartposhub.com/business-types/mart/step-1-locations-and-warehouse/)).
- Decide which tax rate, if any, applies to most of your products. You can change single products later.

## 1. Browse the Mart catalog

1. Open **Products › Product Library**.
2. Click the **Mart / Karyana / General store** tab at the top.
3. On the left, the **Departments** tab shows the department tree (Food Cupboard, Personal Care & Beauty, Beverages, Dairy, Eggs & Bakery, Fresh & Frozen…) with product counts. The **Brands** tab lists brands instead.
4. Search by name, brand or barcode in the box above the product grid.

![Product Library with catalog tabs, department tree with counts, search box and product cards with Preview buttons](https://docs.smartposhub.com/_astro/product-library-catalog.C4s-z2Xm.png) (web app page: `/product-library?catalog=mart`)
*Pick a catalog, then departments on the left or single products in the grid.*

## 2. Preview a product

Click **Preview** on any card to see everything the library holds for it: photos, status in your store (**Not imported**, **Already in your store**), name, brand, category path, descriptions, variations with barcodes, product details (including nutrition per 100 g / 100 ml where known) and the unit it will be imported with. **Import this product** imports just that one.

![Product preview drawer with a product photo, Not imported status, basics, category path and short description](https://docs.smartposhub.com/_astro/product-library-preview-drawer.BW5a_9Ng.png) (web app page: `/product-library?catalog=mart`)
*Preview shows the full product before you import it.*

## 3. Select and check the import

1. Tick departments or sub-categories in the tree, or tick product cards. **Select the whole catalog** ticks everything. The bar at the bottom shows how many are selected.
2. Click **Import** in the bottom bar.
3. In the **Import products** window:
   - **Business locations**: the shops where the products will be sold (default: all).
   - **Tax**: a tax rate for all imported products, or **No tax**.
   - **Manage stock for these products**: keep it ticked for a grocery.
   - **Fill in a suggested selling price**: available where the library knows a price for your currency; otherwise prices start at 0.
4. Read the check table: **Will create** (products, categories, brands, units), **Will reuse (already in your store)** and **Will skip** (already imported, barcode already in your store, over your plan limit). The list below shows the first products, each with **Preview**.
5. Click **Import now** to start, or **Check again** after changing options. A progress bar follows the import; you can leave the page and come back.

![Import products window with locations, tax, manage stock option, and a check showing 4,719 products, 45 categories and 332 brands to create](https://docs.smartposhub.com/_astro/product-library-import-check.BsgRXSJU.png) (web app page: `/product-library?catalog=mart`)
*The check window shows exactly what will be created, reused or skipped before anything is imported.*

## 4. After the import

1. **Set prices**: use **Products › Update Price** or export and re-import prices with Excel ([Prices and discounts](https://docs.smartposhub.com/catalog/prices-and-discounts/)).
2. **Add opening stock** per location ([Opening stock](https://docs.smartposhub.com/catalog/opening-stock/)).
3. **Set alert quantities** on fast movers so they appear in Product Stock Alert ([step 8](https://docs.smartposhub.com/business-types/mart/step-8-stock-transfers-and-counts/)).
4. **Hide what you don't sell** by deactivating products rather than deleting them.

:::tip[Import in batches]
Import one or two departments, set their prices and stock, then do the next. It's easier to check than 16,000 products at once.
:::

More on the library in general: [Product Library](https://docs.smartposhub.com/catalog/product-library/).

  - [Step 3: Import prebuilt categories, brands and units](https://docs.smartposhub.com/business-types/mart/step-3-import-prebuilt-categories-brands-units/)
  - [Product Library module](https://docs.smartposhub.com/modules/product-library/)

## Frequently asked questions

### What does an imported product include?

Name, primary and extra barcodes, brand with logo, a three-level category, unit, description, product details and a photo where one exists. Prices start at 0 and stock is empty until you add them.

### Will importing create duplicates of products I already have?

No. Products already imported are skipped, and so are products whose barcode is already in your store. The check window shows how many will be skipped and why.

### Can I edit imported products?

Yes. After the import each product is your own and fully editable - name, price, category, photo and everything else.

### Can I import only some products?

Yes. Tick a department, a sub-category or single product cards. You can also untick single products inside a ticked department.

### Why don't I see Product Library in my menu?

The Product Library must be in your plan, switched on in Settings › Business Settings › Modules, and your role needs the Import products from the Product Library permission.

### How are fruit and vegetables imported?

Fresh produce and fresh meat sold by weight are imported in kilograms, with grams as a sub-unit, so you can sell 0.5 kg or 250 g.

### Is there a limit on how many products I can import?

Your plan's product limit applies. The Product Library page shows how many more products you can import.