Auto-detect contacts from recycle bin during import

[PStephen3]

Hi everyone,

Quick question — is there any feature (or workaround) in HubSpot that can automatically detect contacts that were previously deleted (in the recycle bin) when importing a new contact list?

For context:
Sometimes we re-import older contacts that might have been deleted earlier, and it would be great if HubSpot could automatically flag or restore those existing records instead of treating them as brand-new ones.

Is there a setting, workflow, or import option that helps identify contacts that already exist in the recycle bin before creating new duplicates?

Thanks in advance!

[karstenkoehler · Accepted solution]

Hi @PStephen3,

As far as I know, no, there is no such feature. When a contact is deleted and then re-imported, they're subject to these behaviors: https://knowledge.hubspot.com/privacy-and-consent/understand-restorable-and-permanent-contact-deleti...

I agree that it would be valuable to have more control over this process. You could request this from the product team in the ideas section of the community: https://community.hubspot.com/t5/HubSpot-Ideas/idb-p/HubSpot_Ideas

Best regards!