---
title: Import catalog data
slug: commerce-connect-14/docs/importing-catalog-data
docTags: 
createdAt: 2026-07-23T10:25:32.050Z
---

Classes in this topic are in the following namespaces:

- `Mediachase.Commerce.Catalog`
- `Mediachase.Commerce.Storage`

:::hint{type="info"}
**Note**
You should not import data directly into the catalog system database unless you have a full understanding of how it works.
:::

## Import scenarios and options

You can import catalog data using the methods described in the following:

- Through the import/export API
- Using the [Service API](https://world.optimizely.com/documentation/developer-guides/Optimizely-Service-API/working-with-bulk-operations-using-tasks/catalog-service/)

### Use the import/export API 

You can import and export catalogs through `Catalog.ImportExport`, see examples in the following.

```csharp
//Import
    
    try
     {
         var catalogImportExport = new CatalogImportExport()
         {
               //Should only be true when the application does not have access to the catalog models.
               IsModelsAvailable = true
         };
         catalogImportExport.Import(new FileStream("pathtoZip"), true);
     }
     catch (Exception exception)
     {
         LogManager.GetLogger().Error(exception.Message, exception);
     }
    
    
    //Export 
    try
     {
         var catalogImportExport = new CatalogImportExport()
         {
               //Should only be true when the application does not have access to the catalog models.
               IsModelsAvailable = true
         };
         catalogImportExport.Export("catalogName", new FileStream("pathtoZip"), "");
     }
     catch (Exception exception)
     {
         LogManager.GetLogger().Error(exception.Message, exception);
     };
```

### Use the Service API

You can also use the Optimizely Service API to manage imports and exports of catalog data. See [Catalog service](docId\:p9oaOA8qCj-bFQE1uyLKl).

### Manage versions when importing

To improve performance by eliminating previous versions, see [Clear version history for saved catalog content](https://world.optimizely.com/blogs/Magnus-Rahl/2015/3/optional-performance-tweaks-in-episerver-commerce-8-9/#Clearversionhistory).