diff --git a/src/wuttasync/cli/base.py b/src/wuttasync/cli/base.py
index f1268f3..0a0ed2c 100644
--- a/src/wuttasync/cli/base.py
+++ b/src/wuttasync/cli/base.py
@@ -135,44 +135,43 @@ class ImportCommandHandler(GenericHandler):
 
 def import_command_template(
 
-        # model keys
         models: Annotated[
             Optional[List[str]],
             typer.Argument(help="Model(s) to process.  Can specify one or more, "
                            "or omit to process default models.")] = None,
 
-        # list models
         list_models: Annotated[
             bool,
             typer.Option('--list-models', '-l',
                          help="List available target models and exit.")] = False,
 
-        # allow create?
         create: Annotated[
             bool,
             typer.Option(help="Allow new target records to be created.")] = True,
 
-        # allow update?
         update: Annotated[
             bool,
             typer.Option(help="Allow existing target records to be updated.")] = True,
 
-        # allow delete?
         delete: Annotated[
             bool,
             typer.Option(help="Allow existing target records to be deleted.")] = False,
 
-        # fields
         fields: Annotated[
             str,
             typer.Option('--fields',
-                         help="List of fields to process.  See also --exclude.")] = None,
+                         help="List of fields to process.  See also --exclude and --key.")] = None,
+
         excluded_fields: Annotated[
             str,
             typer.Option('--exclude',
                          help="List of fields *not* to process.  See also --fields.")] = None,
 
-        # dry run?
+        keys: Annotated[
+            str,
+            typer.Option('--key', '--keys',
+                         help="List of fields to use as record key/identifier.  See also --fields.")] = None,
+
         dry_run: Annotated[
             bool,
             typer.Option('--dry-run',
@@ -226,6 +225,7 @@ def import_command(fn):
 
 
 def file_import_command_template(
+
         input_file_path: Annotated[
             Path,
             typer.Option('--input-path',
@@ -233,6 +233,7 @@ def file_import_command_template(
                          help="Path to input file(s).  Can be a folder "
                          "if app logic can guess the filename(s); "
                          "otherwise must be complete file path.")] = ...,
+
 ):
     """
     Stub function to provide signature for import/export commands
diff --git a/src/wuttasync/importing/base.py b/src/wuttasync/importing/base.py
index 6ea84bb..f9c4bb2 100644
--- a/src/wuttasync/importing/base.py
+++ b/src/wuttasync/importing/base.py
@@ -309,10 +309,17 @@ class Importer:
 
         :returns: List of "key" field names.
         """
-        if hasattr(self, 'key'):
+        keys = None
+        # nb. prefer 'keys' but use 'key' as fallback
+        if hasattr(self, 'keys'):
+            keys = self.keys
+        elif hasattr(self, 'key'):
             keys = self.key
+        if keys:
             if isinstance(keys, str):
-                keys = [keys]
+                keys = self.config.parse_list(keys)
+                # nb. save for next time
+                self.keys = keys
             return keys
 
         return list(get_primary_keys(self.model_class))
diff --git a/tests/importing/test_base.py b/tests/importing/test_base.py
index 0648dc9..ee8cb48 100644
--- a/tests/importing/test_base.py
+++ b/tests/importing/test_base.py
@@ -82,8 +82,10 @@ class TestImporter(DataTestCase):
         model = self.app.model
         imp = self.make_importer(model_class=model.Setting)
         self.assertEqual(imp.get_keys(), ['name'])
-        imp.key = 'value'
-        self.assertEqual(imp.get_keys(), ['value'])
+        with patch.multiple(imp, create=True, key='value'):
+            self.assertEqual(imp.get_keys(), ['value'])
+        with patch.multiple(imp, create=True, keys=['foo', 'bar']):
+            self.assertEqual(imp.get_keys(), ['foo', 'bar'])
 
     def test_process_data(self):
         model = self.app.model