# Tech store step 2: import phones and laptops

> Import phones, tablets, laptops and accessories with barcodes, photos and storage and colour variants from the Product Library Electronics catalog.

Source: https://docs.smartposhub.com/business-types/tech-store/step-2-import-phones-and-laptops/  
Last updated: 2026-10-30  
Product: SmartPOS Hub (https://smartposhub.com)

The fastest way to fill a phone and laptop shop is the **Electronics** catalog in the **Product Library**. Each product arrives with its name, brand, category, barcode, photo, description and, for phones and laptops, one variant per storage and colour. You add your own prices and stock afterwards.

> **How to turn it on**
> 1. **Plan:** Product Library included in your plan
> 2. **Switch:** Settings › Business Settings › Modules › Product Library
> 3. **Permission:** Import products from the Product Library (User Management › Roles)

## Before you start

- [Step 1](https://docs.smartposhub.com/business-types/tech-store/step-1-locations-and-modules/) is done: your locations exist and the Product Library switch is on.
- Decide which departments you sell. A phone shop usually needs **Mobiles & Tablets**, **Accessories**, **Wearables** and **Audio**; a laptop shop adds **Computers**.

## Pick what to import

1. Open **Products › Product Library** and choose the **Electronics** tab.
2. In **Departments**, open **Mobiles & Tablets** to see Smartphones, Feature Phones and Tablets, then brands. Tick a whole department or a sub-category.
3. To pick single products, search by name, brand or barcode in the product grid and tick the cards you want.
4. Click **Preview** on any card to see everything the library holds for that product before you import it.
5. Check the selection bar at the bottom, then click **Import**.

![Product Library Electronics tab with the department tree on the left and laptop product cards with Imported badges and Preview buttons](https://docs.smartposhub.com/_astro/product-library-mobiles.DT7XDPoP.png) (web app page: `/product-library?catalog=electronics`)
*The Electronics catalog: departments on the left, product cards with barcodes and Preview buttons on the right.*

![Product preview drawer showing a laptop photo, status in your store, brand, category and short description](https://docs.smartposhub.com/_astro/product-library-preview.h0dwdi_H.png) (web app page: `/product-library?catalog=electronics`)
*Preview shows the photo, brand, category, description and specifications before you import.*

## Choose the import options

The **Import products** window asks for:

| Option | What to choose |
|---|---|
| **Business locations** | The branches that will sell these products. Default is all. |
| **Tax** | Your sales tax rate, or **No tax**. |
| **Manage stock for these products** | Keep it ticked for phones, laptops and accessories. |
| Suggested selling price | Only shown for PKR businesses. Leave it off if you set your own prices. |

The window then shows a preview: **Will create**, **Will reuse (already in your store)** and **Will skip**, with reasons such as **Already imported**, **Barcode already in your store** or **Over your plan limit**. Click **Import now** and follow the progress bar. You can leave the page; the import keeps running and **Recent imports** shows the result.

**Caution:** 
Imported prices start at 0. Before your first sale, set prices with **Products › Update Price** (bulk) or by editing each product. A product with price 0 sells for 0.

## What you get

- Phones and laptops with several options become **variable products**, with one variant per option, for example "8GB / 256GB / Black". Each variant has its own barcode and photo.
- Categories, sub-categories and brands are created if you do not have them yet, and matched by name if you do.
- Products without a manufacturer barcode get a generated barcode that starts with 297. You can print labels for them in **Products › Print Labels**.

## Tips

- Import in small batches (one department at a time) so you can check prices as you go.
- Repair parts and labour are not in the Electronics catalog. Add them yourself as products (parts) and service products (labour), see [step 6](https://docs.smartposhub.com/business-types/tech-store/step-6-set-up-the-repair-desk/).
- Next: [step 3: variants, warranties and IMEI](https://docs.smartposhub.com/business-types/tech-store/step-3-variants-warranties-and-imei/).

  - [Product Library in detail](https://docs.smartposhub.com/catalog/product-library/)
  - [Import products from Excel](https://docs.smartposhub.com/catalog/import-products-excel/)

## Frequently asked questions

### Does importing from the Product Library cost extra?

No extra fee, but the Product Library must be in your plan and your plan's product limit still applies. The page shows how many more products you can import.

### Do imported products come with prices?

No, prices start at 0 so you set your own. In businesses that use PKR, the import dialog can fill a suggested selling price where one is known.

### Will the import create duplicates of products I already have?

No. Products you already imported, and products whose barcode already exists in your store, are skipped. The preview shows what will be created, reused and skipped before anything happens.

### Can I edit an imported product?

Yes. After the import the product is yours. Change the name, price, category, photos or variants like any other product.

### Can I import only one brand?

Yes. Use the Brands tab, or tick a department and untick the products you do not want, or search and tick single products.

### What if a phone I sell is not in the library?

Add it yourself with Products › Add Product. Use a variable product for storage and colour options.