diff --git a/src/routes/settings.import.tsx b/src/routes/settings.import.tsx
index cb7fe44..699017f 100644
--- a/src/routes/settings.import.tsx
+++ b/src/routes/settings.import.tsx
@@ -446,8 +446,11 @@ const IMPORTERS: ImporterConfig[] = [
         (r._casenum && ctx.caseByNumber.get(String(r._casenum))) ||
         (r._casename && ctx.caseByTitle.get(String(r._casename).toLowerCase().trim())) ||
         null;
-      // NOTE: do NOT delete _caseext/_casenum/_casename here — async step needs them.
-      // NOTE: do NOT bail on missing case — async step will create one.
+      // Only accept active (non-archived, non-closed) cases.
+      if (r.case_id && !ctx.activeCaseIds.has(r.case_id)) {
+        r.case_id = null;
+      }
+      // NOTE: do NOT delete _caseext/_casenum/_casename here — pre-insert step needs them for skip reporting.
 
       // Resolve hours from "Time" (e.g. "1.5", "1:30", "01:30:00") if needed
       if (r.hours == null && r._time != null) {