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How to import customers from a CSV in Dumpster Controls. Dumpster Controls. https://dumpstercontrols.io/help/customers/import-customers-from-a-csv (accessed 2026-10-17).
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Customers · updated 2026-08-08

How to import customers from a CSV in Dumpster Controls

Moving from spreadsheets or another system? The "Import Customers" wizard validates every row before anything is written.

Before you start

  • A CSV file with your customers. The columns are: first_name, last_name, email, phone, customer_type, company_name, address_line1, city, state, zip_code, notes.
  1. ## Open the importer
    Click "Import" on the Customers page. The modal explains: "Upload a CSV file to import your customers in bulk."
  2. ## Grab the template first
    The "Download Template" card says "Use this CSV template as a starting point. Fill in your customer data and upload it below." Click "Download CSV Template" to get a file with the correct headers and two example rows.
  3. ## Upload your file
    Drag the file onto the dropzone ("Drop your CSV file here or click to browse") or click to pick it. "Only .csv files are supported".
  4. ## Review the validation
    The review step shows "{count} rows found. Review before importing." with badges counting "valid", "warnings", and "errors" rows. Rows with errors are highlighted red ("First name is required", "Invalid email format"); warnings are amber ("Last name is empty", "Email is empty", "Phone is empty", or an unknown type note that defaults the row to residential).
  5. ## Run the import
    Click "Import {count} Customers" (only valid rows count). Use "Start Over" to fix the file and re-upload instead. While it runs you will see "Importing customers..." and "This may take a moment."
  6. ## Read the results
    The "Import Complete" screen shows three counters: "Imported", "Duplicates", and "Failed". Click "Done" to close; the table refreshes with the new customers.

What happens next

  • Duplicates are detected by email: rows whose email matches an existing customer (or an earlier row in the same file) are skipped, never overwritten.
  • Valid values for customer_type are residential, contractor, and broker; anything else imports as residential with a warning.

Troubleshooting

I get "Invalid file".

The file must have the .csv extension. Export your spreadsheet as CSV first.

I get "Empty file".

The CSV needs a header row plus at least one data row.

The import button is disabled.

Every row has errors, so there is nothing valid to import. Fix the first names and email formats, then "Start Over".

Related guides

© 2026 Dumpster Controls. All rights reserved. Made in the USA.

Frequently asked questions

Is Dumpster Controls really free?

Yes. The entire app is free for any company at any fleet size: dispatch, online booking, the driver app, invoicing, the Tresha AI assistant and every other feature, with no monthly fee, no trial period and no credit card to sign up. The only cost on the free plan is optional card processing when a customer pays by card through the platform: 2.99% plus $3.99 per transaction on the free plan. The entire app is free; an optional $169 per month plan lowers that to 2.99% plus $0.30 and adds a Sponsored spotlight in the public company directory. Prices as published on dumpstercontrols.io/pricing on 2026-09-23.

Do you charge per driver, per truck or per order?

No. There is no per-driver, per-truck, per-user or per-order fee, and no order limit. A company with one truck and a company with twenty pay the same for the software: nothing.

Is there a contract?

No. There is no contract, no minimum term and no setup fee. You create the account yourself, and on the free plan there is nothing to cancel because nothing is billed. The optional $169 lower card rate plan is billed month to month.

Which countries and languages are supported?

Dumpster Controls serves hauling companies in the United States and Canada. The app interface and the Tresha AI assistant are available in English, Spanish and Portuguese. The public pages, such as the blog, the help center and the landfill finder, are in English.

How do I switch from another dumpster software?

Create a free account at dumpstercontrols.io/login, with no sales call and no credit card. Then import your customers from a CSV file using the template provided in the app; past orders can also be imported from a CSV. Container sizes and pricing are set up in Settings. The landfill database, with 1,750 active US and Canadian landfills as counted on 2026-10-01, is already loaded, so disposal sites do not need to be typed in. Step-by-step guides are at dumpstercontrols.io/help.