Adding Read/Write permission to your WooCommerce API key lets CJdropshipping list products and sync orders to your store without 'insufficient permissions' errors.
Warning: These steps are performed in your WooCommerce admin, not the CJ dashboard. You need a Read-only key that CJ is already using — change it to Read/Write, or create a new Read/Write key and update CJ with the new credentials.
Step 1Key PointREST API Settings
Log in to your WordPress/WooCommerce admin. Go to WooCommerce → Settings → Advanced → REST API. You'll see a list of existing API keys. *(This path is stable in WooCommerce 3.4+ through 8.x.)*
1Advanced → REST API— Navigate here: WooCommerce → Settings → Advanced → REST API (stable in WooCommerce 3.4+ to 8.x)
Step 2Key PointAPI Key List
The REST API list shows all existing keys, including their Description, User, Permissions, and Last Access date. Look for the key used by CJ — it typically has 'CJ' or 'CJdropshipping' in the description.
1Key Description— Find the key associated with CJ Dropshipping
2Permissions column— Check if it shows 'Read' — this needs to be changed to 'Read/Write'
3Edit / Revoke actions— Click Edit to modify the existing key's permissions
Step 3Key PointEdit or New Key
Option A — Edit existing key: Click Edit next to the CJ key. Change the Permissions dropdown from 'Read' to Read/Write, then click Save changes. *(No need to update CJ after this.)*
Option B — Create new key: Click Add key to create a new API key with Read/Write permissions from scratch.
1Edit (Option A)— Change an existing key's permission in place — no CJ update needed afterwards
2Add key (Option B)— Create a brand-new Read/Write key — you must then update CJ with the new values
Step 5Key PointNew Key Credentials
*(For new keys only)* After clicking Generate API key, the new Consumer Key and Consumer Secret are displayed. Copy both values — you'll need them to update CJ. The Consumer Secret is only shown once.
1Consumer Key— Copy this — starts with ck_...
2Consumer Secret— Copy immediately — shown only once, starts with cs_...
Step 6Key PointCredentials Update in CJ
*(Only required if you created a new key)* In CJ, go to Apps → WooCommerce and open the store's Add/Edit Store dialog. With Authorization set to OAuth Plugin, update the Client Key (Consumer Key) and Client Secret (Consumer Secret) fields with the new values from WooCommerce, then click Next to save and re-verify.
1Client Key (Consumer Key)— Paste the new ck_... value generated in WooCommerce
2Client Secret (Consumer Secret)— Paste the new cs_... value — keep it secret, never share in plain text
Step 7Key PointConnection Verified
After saving the new credentials, CJ re-verifies the connection. In the Store List, Token Verification Results shows Authorized and Store Status shows Activated — confirming the Read/Write key works. You can now list products from CJ to your WooCommerce store without permission errors.
1Token Verification: Authorized— CJ successfully verified access using the Read/Write key
2Store Status: Activated— The store is active and ready to sync products/orders
Related Questions
QWhen do I need to add Read/Write permission for WooCommerce?
You need to update permissions when CJ fails to list products to your WooCommerce store with an error like 'insufficient permissions' or 'unauthorized'. This usually means the API key connected to CJ only has Read permission and needs to be changed to Read/Write.
QShould I create a new API key or edit the existing one?
You have two options: (1) Edit the existing key — find the key currently used by CJ in the WooCommerce REST API list and change its permission to Read/Write. (2) Create a new key — click Add key, set Read/Write permission, generate it, then update CJ with the new Consumer Key and Consumer Secret.
QAfter getting the new Consumer Key and Consumer Secret, where exactly do I paste them in CJ?
If you edited an existing key, no update is needed in CJ — the key value stays the same. If you created a new key, go to CJ → Apps → WooCommerce, find your store row, click the Edit (pencil / ··· → Edit) action to open the store settings dialog, then replace the Consumer Key and Consumer Secret fields with the new ck_... / cs_... values and click Save. CJ re-verifies the token immediately and the store status stays Activated.
QIs the REST API path different in newer WooCommerce versions (6.0+)?
The path WooCommerce → Settings → Advanced → REST API is stable across WooCommerce 3.4+ through current 7.x/8.x. In some very old versions the keys lived under a top-level 'Keys/Apps' tab, but for any modern install use the Advanced tab. If you don't see Advanced, update WooCommerce to the latest version.
