---
title: "Import a PST, EML, mbox or ZIP archive"
description: "Upload an archive from the web client, check progress and resume an interrupted upload."
language: en
canonical: https://cercaposta.it/en/docs/how-to/import-archive/
updated: 2026-09-19
publisher: WpWeb S.r.l.
diataxis: how-to
---

# Import a PST, EML, mbox or ZIP archive

To add an existing archive to CercaPosta, use the import function in the web client. Check format and available storage before uploading, then review processing results. A completed upload means the files reached the server: searching and reading them also requires message processing and indexing to finish.

## Prerequisites

- A CercaPosta account with enough available storage.
- PST, EML, mbox or ZIP files you are authorised to archive.
- An original copy kept separately, particularly for historical archives.

PST imports acquire mail; contacts and calendars are not imported as emails. A ZIP is a container: its contents must be processable. Consult the [supported formats](https://cercaposta.it/en/docs/reference/sources/).

## Upload the files

1. Open the import function in the web client.
2. Select the files and check their names, sizes and the quota shown in the interface.
3. Start the import. Follow upload progress and keep the original files available.
4. After uploading, check the processing job and any errors. Large archives may continue processing after the transfer finishes.

## Resume an interrupted upload

Reopen the import function with the same account. When the interface offers the incomplete session, resume it and select the same original files if requested. The server checks that they match the parts already received.

If the session has expired or cannot be resumed, follow the interface instructions to start a new upload. Do not modify a file’s contents between starting and resuming it.

## Verify the result

Search for a message whose subject and sender you know, then open an attachment. Check the job counters: problematic files or messages may be skipped without stopping the entire import. Deduplication can mean fewer new messages than the number of items in your files.

If storage is insufficient, resolve the quota before retrying. For damaged or unreadable files, keep the error details and [contact support](https://cercaposta.it/legal/support.en), without sending credentials or unrequested complete archives.

## Example of a completed import

This screenshot shows the demonstration PST import completed with **5,000 out of 5,000 messages processed**. Completed jobs may be hidden on the activity page: use **show** to display them. Semantic index maintenance is a separate job from the import.

This is the outcome for one particular synthetic archive, not a prediction of processing times or results for other PSTs. After checking your job, also verify a search and an attachment.

<figure class="docs-media">
<a href="https://cercaposta.it/assets/demo/en/import-completed.png" aria-label="Open the full-size screenshot"><img src="https://cercaposta.it/assets/demo/en/import-completed.png" alt="Completed import of the English demonstration PST." width="1440" height="900" loading="lazy" decoding="async"></a>
<figcaption><strong>Sample data · real screenshot</strong>Completed import of the English demonstration PST. · <a href="https://cercaposta.it/assets/demo/en/import-completed.png">Open the full-size screenshot</a></figcaption>
</figure>

## After importing

Try [your first search](https://cercaposta.it/en/docs/tutorials/first-search/). AI use of messages depends on [AI preferences and authorisations](https://cercaposta.it/en/docs/how-to/control-ai/).