diff --git a/src/routes/settings.import.tsx b/src/routes/settings.import.tsx
index 2804c44..63bcc9c 100644
--- a/src/routes/settings.import.tsx
+++ b/src/routes/settings.import.tsx
@@ -365,14 +365,15 @@ const IMPORTERS: ImporterConfig[] = [
     boolCols: ["billable"],
     dateCols: ["work_date"],
     transform: (r, ctx) => {
-      // Resolve case
+      // Resolve case (keep hints on row so the async pre-insert step can
+      // auto-create an archived case + client when no match is found).
       r.case_id =
         (r._caseext && ctx.caseByExt.get(String(r._caseext))) ||
         (r._casenum && ctx.caseByNumber.get(String(r._casenum))) ||
         (r._casename && ctx.caseByTitle.get(String(r._casename).toLowerCase().trim())) ||
         null;
-      delete r._caseext; delete r._casenum; delete r._casename;
-      if (!r.case_id) return 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.
 
       // Resolve hours from "Time" (e.g. "1.5", "1:30", "01:30:00") if needed
       if (r.hours == null && r._time != null) {