diff --git a/tasks.py b/tasks.py
index 0578f69acd..f079672199 100644
--- a/tasks.py
+++ b/tasks.py
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import sys
 import pathlib
 import re
 
+
 try:
     from invoke import ctask as task
 except:
@@ -380,8 +381,8 @@ def export_records(c, filename='data.json'):
     print("Data export completed")
 
 
-@task(help={'filename': 'Input filename'}, post=[rebuild_models, rebuild_thumbnails])
-def import_records(c, filename='data.json'):
+@task(help={'filename': 'Input filename', 'clear': 'Clear existing data before import'}, post=[rebuild_models, rebuild_thumbnails])
+def import_records(c, filename='data.json', clear=False):
     """
     Import database records from a file
     """
@@ -394,6 +395,9 @@ def import_records(c, filename='data.json'):
         print(f"Error: File '{filename}' does not exist")
         sys.exit(1)
 
+    if clear:
+        delete_data(c, force=True)
+
     print(f"Importing database records from '{filename}'")
 
     # Pre-process the data, to remove any "permissions" specified for a user or group
@@ -432,6 +436,8 @@ def delete_data(c, force=False):
     Warning: This will REALLY delete all records in the database!!
     """
 
+    print(f"Deleting all data from InvenTree database...")
+
     if force:
         manage(c, 'flush --noinput')
     else: