diff --git a/src/routes/settings.import.tsx b/src/routes/settings.import.tsx
index eaca28b..2ad5187 100644
--- a/src/routes/settings.import.tsx
+++ b/src/routes/settings.import.tsx
@@ -716,6 +716,10 @@ function ImportPage() {
       // transform
       const transformed = cfg.transform ? cfg.transform(row, ctx) : row;
       if (!transformed) {
+        // Tables whose rows are linked to a case via _caseext / _casenum / _casename
+        const caseLinked = ["tasks", "events", "call_logs", "time_entries", "expenses", "comments", "status_updates"];
+        const hasCaseHint = row._caseext != null || row._casenum != null || row._casename != null;
+
         // Diagnose common transform-rejection reasons for clearer feedback
         if (cfg.table === "homeowners" && !row.client_id && !row._clientext && !row._clientname) {
           bumpSkip("no client match (missing companyid/company)");
@@ -725,20 +729,16 @@ function ImportPage() {
           bumpSkip("client not found");
         } else if (cfg.table === "time_entries" && !row.work_date) {
           bumpSkip("missing or invalid work date");
-        } else if (cfg.table === "time_entries" && !row.case_id && !row._caseext && !row._casenum && !row._casename) {
-          bumpSkip("missing case reference");
-        } else if (cfg.table === "time_entries" && (row._caseext || row._casenum || row._casename) && !row.case_id) {
-          bumpSkip("case not found (import cases first or match case title/number)");
         } else if (cfg.table === "time_entries" && (row.hours == null || row.hours <= 0) && row._time == null) {
           bumpSkip("missing or invalid hours");
         } else if (cfg.table === "time_entries" && !row.description && !row._activity) {
           bumpSkip("missing description/activity");
-        } else if (cfg.table === "expenses" && !row.case_id && !row._caseext && !row._casenum && !row._casename) {
-          bumpSkip("missing case reference");
-        } else if (cfg.table === "expenses" && (row._caseext || row._casenum || row._casename) && !row.case_id) {
-          bumpSkip("case not found (import cases first or match case title/number)");
         } else if (cfg.table === "expenses" && row.amount == null) {
           bumpSkip("missing or invalid amount");
+        } else if (caseLinked.includes(cfg.table) && !row.case_id && !hasCaseHint) {
+          bumpSkip("missing case reference");
+        } else if (caseLinked.includes(cfg.table) && hasCaseHint && !row.case_id) {
+          bumpSkip("case not found (import cases first or match case title/number)");
         } else {
           bumpSkip("rejected by transform");
         }