A method and system for importing data into a data store in accordance with metadata. The import system provides metadata that specifies how the import data for various types of import sources is to be imported into the data store. The import sources may be categorized according to the type of data provided by the import sources. When the import system receives the import data from the import source, it identifies the type of import source and retrieves the metadata defined for that type of import source. The import system then imports the received import data into the data store in accordance with the retrieved metadata.