What happens to your list when you import it

Moving a list is one upload. What that upload does next depends on the platform: it can email everyone, skip the confirmation step, wipe data you already hold, or bill you for people who left.

Every answer below quotes the platform's own help pages, checked 12 September 2026, and links to the page. Where we give a reading of those words, it is labelled as ours. Where a platform's pages did not answer the question, we say that rather than guess.

Before you press import

Pause or filter your automations. Imported people start automations by default on 1 of the 14 platforms, and on 10 more a setting decides.
Check whether they will be asked to confirm again. By their own pages: it depends for 1, no for 5, not found on their pages for 8. Anyone who never opens the email asking them to confirm again drops off your list.
Remove empty cells you do not mean. On 8 platforms an import can replace data you already hold. What an empty cell does varies, so read your platform's answer below before you upload.
Take unsubscribed and bounced people out of the file. On 7 platforms they can cost you, or come back as subscribed, depending on the platform or the setting.

Do imported people start your automations?

yes for 1, it depends for 10, not found on their pages for 3.

Each platform's answer, in its own words (14)

MailerLiteDepends
"Choose whether you want the new subscribers to automatically be triggered in any automation workflow associated with a group."
Their page
Our reading: Opt-in per import: a choice on the import settings page.
KitNot found on their pages
beehiivDepends
"Under Advanced Configurations, you can optionally toggle on Send Welcome Email, Add to Automation(s), or Apply existing subscriber tags."
Their page
Our reading: Opt-in toggles at import time.
ActiveCampaignDepends
"Contacts will be added to automations set to "Active" if (1) the list you are adding them to is used in an automation trigger, (2) if you're tagging contacts during the import process and those tags are used in automation triggers, or (3) if you're importing values to a field and that field is used in an automation trigger."
Their page
Our reading: Triggers by default when the list, tag or field is an automation trigger; can be switched off per import.
OmnisendDepends
"This automation uses the Subscribed to Marketing trigger, which fires whenever a contact subscribes to receive marketing messages, regardless of the subscription method (signup form, checkout page, manual import, etc.)."
Their page
Our reading: The trigger fires on import, but the Welcome preset ships with a signup-form filter that excludes imported contacts until you remove it.
SenderDepends
"This guide explains how to import subscribers into Sender using the guided import wizard: upload or paste your data, map columns to subscriber fields, assign groups, control whether automations run, and review the results."
Their page
Our reading: Quote is the summary of the "Importing subscribers" guide shown on the help centre home page; the guide itself was not fetched.
Systeme.ioDepends
"When you import your contact list to systeme.io, click on the Campaign (optional) dropdown menu and select the campaign of your choice."
Their page
Our reading: Campaign enrolment is an optional choice at import. Whether a tag applied at import fires a Tag added workflow was not stated.
EmailOctopusDepends
"If you're using the "contact added to list" trigger in your automation, but it isn't sending out to subscribers added via import, it's probably not set to send to imported contacts."
Their page
Our reading: A per-automation setting on the trigger.
GetResponseDepends
"If you’d like for the contacts to start receiving autoresponders, select Add to autoresponder cycle."
Their page
Our reading: Autoresponders are opt-in per import. Behaviour of marketing automation workflows on import was not verified.
AWeberYes
"While using filters in the workflow, the workflow will filter out subscribers who are imported to prevent them from receiving any workflow messages."
Their page
Our reading: Inferred "yes by default": to keep imports out, you edit the workflow trigger to add a "Source is not Import" filter.
FlodeskDepends
"Toggle on Include existing subscribers to add them to the start of the workflow when it publishes"
Their page
Our reading: Imports go into segments. A live workflow triggered by that segment picks them up; that CSV uploads count as "joining" is an inference.
MoosendNot found on their pages
Constant ContactDepends
"If you're looking to welcome your new subscribers or share special introductory information with them, you can set up an automated email series, also known as a drip campaign, to send when they join one of your mailing lists, either by signing up or being manually added."
Their page
Our reading: Welcome automations fire on sign-up tools only; list-join automations fire on manual adds. That a file import counts as a list join is stated in a community answer, not a knowledge base article, so it is an inference here.
BrevoNot found on their pages

Do imported people have to confirm again?

it depends for 1, no for 5, not found on their pages for 8.

Each platform's answer, in its own words (14)

MailerLiteNot found on their pages
KitNot found on their pages
beehiivNot found on their pages
ActiveCampaignNot found on their pages
OmnisendNo
"Imported as subscribed: this happens if you import contacts to Omnisend with opt-in dates or select that they have consented."
Their page
Our reading: Inferred: the status is set directly at import. No fetched page says in so many words that no confirmation email is sent.
SenderNo
"This is the default status for newly added or imported subscribers who have a valid email address or phone number."
Their page
Our reading: The status described is Active. Double opt-in is set per form in Publishing settings.
Systeme.ioNot found on their pages
EmailOctopusNo
"Contacts added via the Dashboard (either manually or via import) will not receive a confirmation email."
Their page
GetResponseNo
"All imports are single opt-in."
Their page
Our reading: Asking imported contacts to confirm again is available on MAX accounts only.
AWeberNo
"By default, when you import subscribers, they will not be sent a confirmation message."
Their page
Our reading: Confirmation on import can be switched on per list.
FlodeskNot found on their pages
MoosendDepends
"If you have the consent from all subscribers on the list through the double opt-in process, select the Yes, add them as verified, I do have consent from these members check box and click Next."
Their page
Our reading: Checkbox at import marks contacts as verified.
Constant ContactNot found on their pages
BrevoNot found on their pages

Does it require proof of consent, and can it refuse an import?

yes for 12, not found on their pages for 2.

Each platform's answer, in its own words (14)

MailerLiteYes
"Be sure every subscriber added to your account has given their consent to receive marketing emails from you."
Their page
Our reading: Consent required and purchased lists banned. No fetched page describes a review of each import.
KitNot found on their pages
beehiivYes
"A confirmation will appear asking you to verify that all contacts in the import have knowingly opted in to receive emails from you."
Their page
Our reading: Self-attestation plus automatic email validation. No fetched page describes a human review or suspension tied to imports.
ActiveCampaignYes
"This may originate from a campaign or import approval. If we see that your list is not opted-in or you are sending content included on our prohibited list, we will place you under review."
Their page
Our reading: Imports go through approval; a non-opted-in list puts the account under review and campaigns stop sending.
OmnisendYes
"You can convert non-subscribed contacts to subscribed only if you have proof of consent (e.g., opt-in form records, receipts)."
Their page
Our reading: No fetched page describes a review of each import.
SenderYes
"Sender’s acceptable use policy prohibits sending to purchased, rented, or scraped email lists."
Their page
Our reading: Account-level QA review after the first import and campaign, not a review of every import.
Systeme.ioYes
"You can import your contact list, but an initial verification will be performed by our team before any sending."
Their page
Our reading: The verification quote is in the free-migration FAQ; whether it applies to self-serve imports too is not stated.
EmailOctopusYes
"You must already have permission before adding contacts via the Dashboard."
Their page
Our reading: Accounts are vetted; no fetched page describes a review of each import.
GetResponseYes
"Shared email addresses: Lists that weren’t collected organically or were added from other accounts. We don’t accept purchased, harvested, or shared lists."
Their page
Our reading: Every import is checked and can be fully rejected. Permission older than 6 to 12 months is not treated as fully valid, and you cannot run a re-permission campaign from GetResponse.
AWeberYes
"If there is any data indicating a lack of management, the import is flagged for a more detailed manual review."
Their page
Our reading: Every import is screened automatically; flagged imports get manual review and can be rejected.
FlodeskYes
"Flodesk reviews imported subscriber lists to make sure they meet email marketing permission requirements and comply with privacy and anti-spam regulations, including GDPR, the CAN-SPAM Act, and other applicable laws globally."
Their page
Our reading: The strictest import policy in this set: per-subscriber opt-in records required, and past buyers cannot be imported.
MoosendYes
"To adhere to GDPR, you can only send marketing email messages with active, specific consent from your subscribers."
Their page
Our reading: Consent attested via the import checkbox. No fetched page describes import review, rejection or suspension.
Constant ContactYes
"Adding or importing names that go against our permission policy or anti-spam policy may result in the termination of your account."
Their page
Our reading: No fetched page describes a review of each import.
BrevoNot found on their pages

Does an import overwrite what you already hold?

yes for 2, it depends for 6, not found on their pages for 6.

Each platform's answer, in its own words (14)

MailerLiteYes
"Instead, the system will update the existing email address with the new information on the imported file."
Their page
Our reading: Existing records are updated. The page does not say whether a blank cell clears an existing value.
KitNot found on their pages
beehiivDepends
"If a contact in the CSV already exists within your subscriber list, you’ll have the option to overwrite existing custom field data when you import."
Their page
Our reading: Checkbox for custom fields; tags are only ever added. Blank-cell behaviour not stated.
ActiveCampaignDepends
"Optional: Click the “Update Existing Contacts” box. This will look for a matching email address or exact phone number in your account and add any additional contact data from your file into the contact record."
Their page
Our reading: Updating is opt-in. The contact import article does not say whether blank cells overwrite. Search snippets mention an "Allow blank fields to overwrite existing field data" toggle on the account and deal import articles; not fetched and not confirmed for contacts.
OmnisendDepends
"If disabled (default), existing values remain unchanged even if the import file has blank fields."
Their page
Our reading: Blanks do not wipe data by default. The recommended default also updates subscription status.
SenderNot found on their pages
Systeme.ioNot found on their pages
EmailOctopusDepends
"If you already have some contacts in your list, you can also select whether those should be updated or skipped if they appear in the imported file."
Their page
Our reading: Update or skip is chosen per import. Blank-cell behaviour not stated.
GetResponseDepends
"choose this to add new contacts and update (overwrite) information for existing contacts."
Their page
Our reading: First quote is the "Add and update" option; the second is the "Only add new" option. Blank-cell behaviour not stated.
AWeberDepends
"Please note that custom fields can be overwritten or appended but cannot be removed through an import."
Their page
Our reading: "Cannot be removed" suggests blank cells do not clear values, but that is an inference.
FlodeskNot found on their pages
MoosendNot found on their pages
Constant ContactYes
"We look at each field of the contact record and replace the contents with any new information provided in your spreadsheet. If there is information in the contact record that isn't in the spreadsheet, we leave it alone."
Their page
Our reading: New values replace old ones; information absent from the spreadsheet is kept. Whether an empty cell counts as "not in the spreadsheet" is not spelled out.
BrevoNot found on their pages

Do unsubscribed or bounced people cost you, or come back?

yes for 1, it depends for 6, no for 5, not found on their pages for 2.

Each platform's answer, in its own words (14)

MailerLiteNo
"The email address is already unsubscribed from your list."
Their page
Our reading: The first quote is listed under "Reasons some email addresses may fail to import", so an import does not re-add an unsubscribed address. Unsubscribed and bounced are not billed.
KitNot found on their pages
beehiivDepends
"Suppressed addresses are accepted during import but are automatically skipped at send time, including for welcome emails and automations."
Their page
Our reading: Suppressed (bounced) addresses are accepted but not sent to. Reading "inactive" in the import article as the Inactive (unsubscribed) status is an inference. Whether unsubscribed or suppressed subscribers count toward the plan tier was not found.
ActiveCampaignDepends
"All contacts, regardless of their list status, count towards your contact limit."
Their page
Our reading: Depends on account age: created on or after November 3, 2025, unsubscribed and bounced contacts are billed; created on or before November 2, 2025, only active contacts are billed. Whether an import re-subscribes a previously unsubscribed contact was not found on a fetched page.
OmnisendDepends
"Only unsubscribers (those who have opted out) are excluded. Unsubscribers are not counted toward your billable contact total."
Their page
Our reading: Unsubscribed and bounced are not billed, but contacts imported without an opt-in date are billed as non-subscribers. The FAQ answer to "Can I restore unsubscribed contacts without deleting and re-adding them?" is to import them as subscribed, so an import can re-subscribe.
SenderDepends
"Active subscribers number means the total amount of recipients that you have uploaded into your account (at the moment) minus those that have unsubscribed, bounced, or reported spam."
Their page
Our reading: Unsubscribed and bounced do not count as Active, but a second limit on unique subscribers emailed per billing period does include them. Whether an import re-subscribes an unsubscribed contact was not found.
Systeme.ioDepends
"Note: You can import unsubscribed contacts into your systeme.io account. They will automatically be assigned an "unsubscribed" status and will not receive any communication through the platform."
Their page
Our reading: Unsubscribed contacts can be imported as unsubscribed. Whether they count toward the contact limit was not found.
EmailOctopusNo
"You can't resubscribe unsubscribed contacts with an import."
Their page
Our reading: Bounced-contact billing not stated. A contact on two lists counts twice.
GetResponseYes
"You pay for all subscribers added during the billing month, regardless of what happens to them afterward."
Their page
Our reading: Contacts added in a month are billed even if they unsubscribe or bounce later that month, and a contact on two lists counts twice. Blocklisted addresses are rejected at import. Whether an import re-subscribes a previously unsubscribed contact was not found.
AWeberDepends
"Make sure that if you are importing subscribers from another service or another list in your AWeber account, that you filter out any unsubscribed addresses to prevent them from being moved over."
Their page
Our reading: Guidance only: the fetched pages tell you to strip unsubscribes but do not say what AWeber does if you import them, or whether unsubscribed or bounced subscribers are billed. Downgrades after deleting subscribers are not automatic.
FlodeskNo
"Uploading a CSV or re-adding them manually will not resubscribe them."
Their page
Our reading: Last quote is a list item under "Leave these behind and don't import them to Flodesk".
MoosendNo
"When importing, Moosend ensures that your email list is free from any duplicates or unsubscribed members."
Their page
Constant ContactNo
"If you upload a spreadsheet with contacts that have previously unsubscribed, they're still added to your list, but remain in the "unsubscribed" status and you're unable to email them."
Their page
BrevoNot found on their pages

Will they move your list for you, free?

yes for 2, it depends for 4, no for 2, not found on their pages for 6.

Each platform's answer, in its own words (14)

MailerLiteNo
"During your free trial you’ll have 14 days access of 24/7 Live Chat and email support from our customer support team."
Their page
Our reading: Answer to "Can your support team help me migrate?" is support chat, not a done-for-you migration. No free migration service for general users was found on the fetched page.
KitNot found on their pages
beehiivNo
"If you prefer hands-on help with your migration from Mailchimp to beehiiv, you can work with a specialist from the beehiiv Experts Directory."
Their page
Our reading: Inferred "no": the fetched pages point to third-party specialists and do not describe a free vendor-run service. Whether those specialists charge is not stated. A search snippet claiming "all beehiiv accounts have access to an internal service partner" was not found on any fetched page.
ActiveCampaignDepends
"For qualifying plans, we'll migrate your first 10 objects, such as contact lists, forms, and templates, for free so you can focus on your business."
Their page
Our reading: Capped at 10 objects. Which plans "qualify" is not named on the fetched page; the help articles that search results said name them returned 404.
OmnisendYes
"If you have more than 250 contacts, you qualify for Omnisend's free Kickstart service."
Their page
Our reading: Eligibility is by contact count (more than 250), not plan.
SenderDepends
"Done-for-you migration is included in all annual plans of 20k+ subscribers."
Their page
Our reading: Done-for-you only on annual plans of 20k+ subscribers; guided support on every plan.
Systeme.ioDepends
"Systeme.io offers free business migration with either Unlimited or Annual subscription plans."
Their page
EmailOctopusNot found on their pages
GetResponseDepends
"Move your business to GetResponse with custom migration services & onboarding from our 5-star customer success team."
Their page
Our reading: A custom migration service exists. The fetched page does not state its price or which plans include it. A search snippet said "free on all paid plans"; not verified.
AWeberYes
"It's 100% FREE. We mean it."
Their page
Our reading: Plan eligibility not stated on the fetched pages. A search snippet said it covers AWeber Free and Pro; not verified.
FlodeskNot found on their pages
MoosendNot found on their pages
Constant ContactNot found on their pages
BrevoNot found on their pages

Read next: the order to move a list in, what each platform calls things, or split buyers from everyone else before you import.