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Developers of web pages often encounter a problem where the @import directive in CSS code "doesn't work" or doesn't seem to correctly import styles. This article will focus on the reasons why this problem may occur and offer solutions to overcome it.

What is @import in CSS?

Before delving into issues with @import, it's important to understand what this directive does. @import is a way to import one style from another file in CSS. This feature allows you to keep CSS codes organized by dividing styles into multiple files, which you can then import into the main style.

Common Issues with @import

1. Performance Issues: Using @import can slow down page loading because the browser must wait for the main CSS file to load before it starts loading the imported files. This slowdown is caused by the serial manner in which files are loaded.

2. Ordering and Priority: CSS rules defined in imported files have the same priority as rules in the main file. This can lead to unexpected results if rules in different files overlap or conflict.

3. Same-Origin Limitations: For security reasons, some browsers may restrict the use of @import to files that are on the same origin. Attempts to import files from a different domain may fail without appropriate CORS (Cross-Origin Resource Sharing) settings.

How to Address @import Problems

1. Use Preprocessors: CSS preprocessors like Sass or Less can help overcome some of the aforementioned issues. These tools combine all imported files into one file during the compilation process, eliminating the need for @import in production code.

2. Optimize File Loading: To improve performance, divide CSS into critical (critical paths) and secondary styles. Load critical styles synchronously in the header and secondary styles asynchronously or after the page has loaded.

3. Leverage Modern Alternatives: CSS variables and CSS Grid can reduce the need to split code into multiple files, thereby reducing reliance on @import.

4. Check CORS Policies: When working with external resources, ensure that CORS policies on the server allow loading resources from different origins.

While @import can be a useful tool for organizing CSS, it's important to be aware of its limitations and potential issues. By using alternative approaches and best practices, you can improve the performance and maintainability of your styles.