# Import Containers

Import Containers serve as data containers for [Import Resources](/api/import-export/import-resources.md).

Import Containers created without a `retentionPolicy` are automatically deleted **72 hours** after creation. Set a [TimeToLiveRetentionPolicy](/api/import-export/import-container.md#timetoliveretentionpolicy) to use a custom duration (within the allowed minimum and maximum). See [best practices](/api/import-export/best-practices.md#effective-use-of-import-containers) for guidance on organizing containers.

Import Containers are the fundamental aspect of the Import API. To import resources into your Project, you [create Import Requests](/api/import-export/import-requests.md) in an [ImportContainer](/api/import-export/import-container.md#importcontainer). The system then processes the Import Resources within those Import Requests as [ImportOperations](/api/import-export/import-operation.md#importoperation).

You can view the current number of ImportOperations within an ImportContainer by [getting the ImportSummary of the ImportContainer](/api/import-export/import-container.md#get-importsummary-of-importcontainer). [ImportSummaries](/api/import-export/import-container.md#importsummary) provide an aggregated summary of the status of all ImportOperations in an ImportContainer, including the number of successful and failed operations. For more ways of monitoring the status of your imports, see [monitor the import process](/api/import-export/overview.md#monitor-the-import-process).

A maximum of **1000** Import Containers can be created per Project. Merchant Center users may see a message that the maximum number of Import Containers has been reached. This is a soft limit that can be increased per Project after a performance impact review. See [Limit increase guidance](/api/limit-increase-guidance.md#import-request-and-retention-boundaries). For more information on using Import Containers effectively for your requirements, see [best practices](/api/import-export/best-practices.md).

## Representations

#### ImportContainer

[type definition](/api/import-export/import-container.md?urn=ctp:import:type:ImportContainer).

##### ImportContainerDraft

[type definition](/api/import-export/import-container.md?urn=ctp:import:type:ImportContainerDraft).

##### ImportContainerPagedResponse

[type definition](/api/import-export/import-container.md?urn=ctp:import:type:ImportContainerPagedResponse).

##### ImportContainerUpdateDraft

[type definition](/api/import-export/import-container.md?urn=ctp:import:type:ImportContainerUpdateDraft).

##### ImportResourceType

[type definition](/api/import-export/import-container.md?urn=ctp:import:type:ImportResourceType).

#### ImportSummary

[type definition](/api/import-export/import-container.md?urn=ctp:import:type:ImportSummary).

##### OperationStates

[type definition](/api/import-export/import-container.md?urn=ctp:import:type:OperationStates).

#### RetentionPolicy

Abstract parent type for retention policies, distinguished by the `strategy` field.

##### TimeToLiveRetentionPolicy

[type definition](/api/import-export/import-container.md?urn=ctp:import:type:TimeToLiveRetentionPolicy).

##### TimeToLiveConfig

[type definition](/api/import-export/import-container.md?urn=ctp:import:type:TimeToLiveConfig).

## Get ImportContainer

[endpoint definition](/api/import-export/import-container.md?urn=ctp:import:endpoint:/\{projectKey}/import-containers/\{importContainerKey}:GET).

### Get ImportSummary of ImportContainer

[endpoint definition](/api/import-export/import-container.md?urn=ctp:import:endpoint:/\{projectKey}/import-containers/\{importContainerKey}/import-summaries:GET).

## Query ImportContainers

[endpoint definition](/api/import-export/import-container.md?urn=ctp:import:endpoint:/\{projectKey}/import-containers:GET).

## Create ImportContainer

[endpoint definition](/api/import-export/import-container.md?urn=ctp:import:endpoint:/\{projectKey}/import-containers:POST).

## Update ImportContainer

[endpoint definition](/api/import-export/import-container.md?urn=ctp:import:endpoint:/\{projectKey}/import-containers/\{importContainerKey}:PUT).

## Delete ImportContainer

[endpoint definition](/api/import-export/import-container.md?urn=ctp:import:endpoint:/\{projectKey}/import-containers/\{importContainerKey}:DELETE).

## Related pages

- [Area overview page with navigation](/api.md)
- [Next page: Import Requests](/api/import-export/import-requests.md)