Migrating a martial arts store from WooCommerce to Shopify (2026)
How to migrate a martial arts, combat sports, or self-defence WooCommerce store to Shopify — equipment specifications, grading supplies, weapon age verification, club wholesale, and martial arts retail Shopify setup.
Martial arts retail covers a wide range of disciplines — BJJ, karate, judo, kickboxing, MMA, boxing, kendo, and traditional weapons arts. Each discipline has specific equipment needs. A significant portion of customers are affiliated with clubs and dojos, making wholesale and grading supply a meaningful revenue stream alongside individual retail.
Product categories
- Gi and uniforms: Karate gi, judo gi, BJJ gi, hapkido uniform. Weight (GSM), cut, weave, colour, and size.
- Striking equipment: Boxing gloves, MMA gloves, focus mitts, pads. Weight (oz), padding type, wrist support.
- Protective gear: Shin guards, head guards, body protectors, groin guards, mouthguards. Competition grade vs training grade.
- Weapons: Bo staff, nunchaku, sai, katana, bokken, kendo shinai. Restricted items — age verification required.
- Training equipment: Heavy bags, speed balls, grappling dummies, pull-up bars, resistance bands.
- Belts and grading supplies: Coloured belts, embroidered belts, exam fees (as a product), certificates.
- Apparel: Rash guards, compression shorts, board shorts. Fabric, compression level, sleeve length.
- Footwear: Martial arts shoes, wrestling shoes, boxing boots. Sole type, ankle support.
Gi and uniform specifications
product.metafields.martialarts.discipline = "Karate / Judo / BJJ / Hapkido"
product.metafields.martialarts.gi_weight_gsm = "450" // fabric weight (light 250, medium 350, heavy 550)
product.metafields.martialarts.gi_weave = "Single / Double / Pearl weave / Gold weave"
product.metafields.martialarts.gi_cut = "Slim / Regular / Comp"
product.metafields.martialarts.gi_colour = "White / Blue / Black"
product.metafields.martialarts.ibjjf_approved = "true" // BJJ: IBJJF competition legal
product.metafields.martialarts.wkf_approved = "true" // Karate: WKF competition approved
product.metafields.martialarts.fabric_composition = "100% Cotton / Cotton-poly blend"
product.metafields.martialarts.shrinkage_note = "Pre-shrunk / Allow 5% shrinkage on first wash"
Glove specifications
product.metafields.martialarts.glove_weight_oz = "12" // 8-10oz competition, 12-16oz training
product.metafields.martialarts.glove_type = "Boxing / MMA / Sparring / Bag"
product.metafields.martialarts.padding_type = "Foam / Gel / Multi-layer foam"
product.metafields.martialarts.closure = "Lace / Velcro"
product.metafields.martialarts.competition_approved = "true" // AIBA, WBC, etc.
product.metafields.martialarts.inner_lining = "Moisture-wicking / Satin"
Weapons — age verification and legal restrictions
Many martial arts weapons are offensive weapons under UK law. The Offensive Weapons Act 2019 and existing legislation restrict the sale of various items:
- Prohibited weapons: Nunchaku (flails) are prohibited weapons under Section 141 Criminal Justice Act 1988 in England, Wales, and Scotland — cannot be sold to members of the public (though training exemptions exist for martial arts clubs)
- Bladed articles: Katana, swords, and other bladed weapons: blades over 3 inches — age verification required (18+); curved swords over 50cm are prohibited unless with certain exemptions
- Imitation firearms: Some training weapons resemble firearms — check VCRA requirements
- Age verification at checkout for all bladed or restricted items — use a third-party age verification app
- Do not ship prohibited weapons (nunchaku, zombie knives, etc.) regardless of stated purpose
- Consider restricting weapon sales to verified clubs/dojos with appropriate liability waivers
product.metafields.martialarts.age_restricted = "true" // 18+ required
product.metafields.martialarts.weapon_type = "Bokken / Shinai / Bo staff / Sai"
product.metafields.martialarts.blade_length_cm = "73"
product.metafields.martialarts.legal_use = "Training / Iaido practice"
Grading supplies and club orders
Martial arts schools order grading supplies in bulk for student examinations:
- Belt sets: full colour sequence (white through black) sold to schools as bulk orders
- Embroidered belts: custom embroidery with student name or grade — use a product customiser or contact form for custom orders
- Grading certificates: often printed and supplied by the governing body, but some retailers offer custom certificate printing
- Club discounts: dojo and club accounts with 15–25% discount — verify via affiliated governing body (SKC, BJJA, etc.)
- Uniform packs: school-branded or generic uniform packs for new starters — standard bundle at beginner price
Competition and regulation compliance
- IBJJF (International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation): strict gi requirements — logo placement, weave type, collar thickness
- WKF (World Karate Federation): approved gi list for international competition
- British Judo Association: approved judogi list for national competition
- Note competition approval status prominently on product pages — search intent often includes "IBJJF approved gi"
Post-migration checklist for martial arts stores
- Gi: weight (GSM), weave, cut, and competition approval (IBJJF, WKF) as metafields
- Gloves: weight (oz), type, and competition approval as metafields
- Weapons: age verification app configured; prohibited weapons (nunchaku) removed from sale
- Club wholesale: trade account tag system or B2B app configured
- Custom embroidery: product customiser or contact form for belt embroidery
- Grading bundle packs: belt colour sets listed as bundles
- Sizing: gi size guide published — A0–A6 sizing with height/weight recommendations
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