> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.clearaml.com.au/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Bulk import your existing client list via CSV
> Bulk-import your existing clients into ClearAML via CSV. Covers required fields, column mapping, PEP screening on import, and reviewing results.
If you already maintain a client list in your practice manager, accounting software, or a spreadsheet, you do not need to enter clients one by one. ClearAML's bulk CSV import lets you bring your entire client base in at once, map your existing column headers to ClearAML's fields, and optionally trigger PEP and sanctions screening on every imported client in a single operation.
Before preparing your CSV, export your clients from your practice manager or accounting software in its native CSV or Excel format. Then save or convert the file as a plain `.csv` (UTF-8 encoded). Avoid special characters in column headers and ensure date fields use **YYYY-MM-DD** format (e.g. `1985-04-23`).
## Step 1: Prepare your CSV file
Your CSV must include at least the columns required for each client type. Everything else is optional but improves the accuracy of the automatic risk assessment.
### Required fields
| Client type | Required columns |
| ----------- | --------------------------------- |
| Individual | `type`, `first_name`, `last_name` |
| Company | `type`, `company_name` |
| Trust | `type`, `company_name` |
| Sole trader | `type`, `company_name` |
| Partnership | `type`, `company_name` |
The `type` column must contain one of the following exact values: `individual`, `company`, `trust`, `sole_trader`, `partnership`, `other_business`.
### Optional but recommended fields
Including these fields improves risk scoring accuracy and reduces the manual work required after import:
| Column | Description |
| ------------------- | -------------------------------------------- |
| `email` | Client email address |
| `phone` | Client phone number |
| `date_of_birth` | Individual's date of birth (YYYY-MM-DD) |
| `address_line1` | Street address |
| `suburb` | Suburb |
| `state` | State (e.g. `VIC`, `NSW`) |
| `postcode` | Postcode |
| `country` | Two-letter country code (defaults to `AU`) |
| `abn` | ABN for business entities |
| `acn` | ACN for companies |
| `trading_name` | Trading name (if different from legal name) |
| `business_activity` | Nature of the client's business |
| `date_established` | Date the entity was established (YYYY-MM-DD) |
You do not need to include every optional field. Start with what you have — you can enrich client profiles individually after import.
## Step 2: Upload your CSV via the dashboard
Log in to ClearAML and open the **Clients** tab from the left navigation menu.
Select **Import Clients** from the top-right action menu. The import modal will open.
Drag and drop your `.csv` file onto the upload area, or click **Browse** to select it from your computer. The system accepts files up to 500 rows per import. If your list is larger, split it into multiple files.
ClearAML reads the column headers from your file and displays a field-mapping screen. For each column in your file, select the matching ClearAML field from the dropdown. Required fields are highlighted — you cannot proceed until all required fields are mapped.
Toggle **Run PEP & Sanctions screening** on or off before confirming the import. If enabled, ClearAML will screen every imported client against global watchlists as part of the import process. This uses your screening credits.
Review the summary — number of rows, detected client types, and any rows with validation errors. Click **Confirm Import** to proceed. ClearAML processes each row, calculates an initial risk score, and reports back with a summary of successful and failed rows.
## Step 3: Review your imported clients
After the import completes, you will see a results summary showing:
* **Successful** — number of clients created
* **Failed** — number of rows that could not be imported, with an error message for each
* **Screened** — number of clients where PEP & sanctions screening ran (if enabled)
After a successful import, each client appears in your Clients list with an initial risk score already calculated. Clients who require identity verification will show a **Verification pending** status. You can bulk-send verification links from the Clients list view, or open each profile individually to review and act on the risk assessment.
## Step 4: Start risk assessments
Once clients are imported, you can begin the KYC and risk assessment workflow:
1. **Filter by status** — use the status filter to find all clients with `Verification pending`
2. **Bulk-send verification links** — select multiple clients and click **Send Verification Link** to notify them all at once
3. **Monitor progress** — the dashboard shows how many clients have completed verification, are awaiting action, or have flagged PEP/sanctions results requiring review
Importing a client does not constitute identity verification. Each client must still complete the full KYC verification process before you can consider your AML/CTF obligations for that client fulfilled.
## Import limits and error handling
| Limit | Value |
| ----------------------- | ------------------------------------------ |
| Maximum rows per import | 500 |
| Accepted file format | CSV (UTF-8) |
| Date format | YYYY-MM-DD |
| Country codes | ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 (e.g. `AU`, `NZ`, `GB`) |
If a row fails validation — for example, because a required field is missing or an email address is malformed — that row is skipped and counted in the **Failed** total. All other rows are still imported. You can correct the failed rows in your CSV and re-import just those records.
Download the import error report from the results screen to see exactly which rows failed and why. Fix the issues in your CSV and upload the corrected file as a second import run.