> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.gr4vy.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Creating buyers & payment methods on import

For each unique buyer ID in the token import file, a new buyer record is created in your instance. All fields that are passed in for the buyer are linked to the respective fields of a [buyer record](/reference/buyers).

Similarly, for each payment method in the token import file, a new payment method record is created in your instance. Additionally, if a buyer is present the payment method is linked to the created buyer.
The buyer's `external_identifier` field retains the value you passed in the import file and a unique internal ID field is produced as a part of the import process.

## Merchant advice file

Once all tokens, buyer, and payment methods were imported, a **Merchant Advice File** ([example](https://gist.githubusercontent.com/phillipgr4vy/f9ca91d6d4163842bd52e5fb1a3858d9/raw/b37d10c95215be9cf07d4afa82004abcfea202c0/merchant_advice_file.csv))
is provided which logs the successful and unsuccessful imports of all resources as part of this process.

* For each row attempted, a corresponding log item is shown with an audit reference tag
* The ID for each created buyer record created is outputted
* The ID for each created payment method created is outputted
* A list of failures and validation errors is outputted

The file has one row per imported row, with the following columns.

| Column | Description |
| - | - |
| `audit_reference_id` | The `audit_reference_id` of the row in your import file. |
| `status` | Either `successful` or `failed`. |
| `buyer_external_identifier` | The buyer's `external_identifier` from your import file. |
| `payment_method_external_identifier` | The payment method's `external_identifier` from your import file, for example the token your previous payment service used for it. |
| `buyer_id` | The ID of the buyer created in Gr4vy. |
| `payment_method_id` | The ID of the payment method created in Gr4vy. Use this ID to charge the payment method. |
| `card_bin` | The card's BIN, for card imports. |
| `card_last4` | The last four digits of the card, for card imports. |
| `card_expiration_date` | The card's expiration date, for card imports. |
| `card_fingerprint` | The card's [fingerprint](/guides/features/cards/fingerprints), which helps you find duplicate cards. |
| `notes` | The reason a row failed. |

For each `successful` row, store at least the `buyer_id` and `payment_method_id` against your own records. Rows marked `failed` aren't imported. Correct them using the `notes` column and send them again in a new file.


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