The problem is that it is not sufficient to specify Type="User" for these fields (the UI equivalent field type is "Person or Group"). You also need to add an attribute List="UserInfo" to get it to work properly. If you miss this out it will fail at the import step if the field has been populated. If the field is left blank the import will work, which can give rise to confusing behaviour when you are trying to diagnose the problem. Change Manifest.xml file So your field definition should look something like this: Now your import will work