Cleaning before import is usually smarter than importing first and discovering problems after the fact.
If you use Brevo, that matters because lower-quality lists create avoidable bounce and deliverability friction.
Step 1: export your contacts
Export the list you want to use as a CSV.
Keep the fields you care about, such as:
- first name
- last name
- tags
- custom fields
The goal is to preserve structure while cleaning the addresses.
Step 2: run the CSV through MailCull
Upload the file to Verify List.
MailCull scans the CSV, finds the email addresses, and categorizes results into:
- Deliverable
- Risky
- Undeliverable
- Unknown
That gives you a clean review layer before the list reaches Brevo.
Step 3: decide what to export
For most imports, the safest starting point is:
- keep deliverable
- review risky
- remove undeliverable
Whether you include some risky addresses depends on your tolerance and the value of that segment.
Step 4: import the cleaned file into Brevo
Upload the cleaned CSV into Brevo and map fields as usual.
Because you already removed obvious problems, the import should be more stable and the next send should start from a healthier baseline.
Why this order works better
Brevo can help you send, but it is still your responsibility to maintain the quality of the list you import.
Cleaning before import helps you:
- reduce avoidable bounces
- improve your first-send quality
- keep your data set easier to trust
A simple habit that pays off
Use the same sequence every time:
- export
- clean
- review
- import
That process scales much better than dealing with reputation or bounce issues after the campaign is already in motion.