diff --git a/src/pretix/base/orderimport.py b/src/pretix/base/orderimport.py
index ba5a1ec0c8..09ef25c35e 100644
--- a/src/pretix/base/orderimport.py
+++ b/src/pretix/base/orderimport.py
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@
 # You should have received a copy of the GNU Affero General Public License along with this program.  If not, see
 # <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 #
+import datetime
 import re
 from collections import defaultdict
 from decimal import Decimal, DecimalException
@@ -40,7 +41,7 @@ from pretix.base.channels import get_all_sales_channels
 from pretix.base.forms.questions import guess_country
 from pretix.base.models import (
     ItemVariation, OrderPosition, Question, QuestionAnswer, QuestionOption,
-    Seat,
+    Seat, SubEvent,
 )
 from pretix.base.services.pricing import get_price
 from pretix.base.settings import (
@@ -160,6 +161,10 @@ class SubeventColumn(ImportColumn):
     verbose_name = pgettext_lazy('subevents', 'Date')
     default_value = None
 
+    def __init__(self, *args, **kwargs):
+        self._subevent_cache = {}
+        super().__init__(*args, **kwargs)
+
     @cached_property
     def subevents(self):
         return list(self.event.subevents.filter(active=True).order_by('date_from'))
@@ -172,6 +177,30 @@ class SubeventColumn(ImportColumn):
     def clean(self, value, previous_values):
         if not value:
             raise ValidationError(pgettext("subevent", "You need to select a date."))
+
+        if value in self._subevent_cache:
+            return self._subevent_cache[value]
+
+        input_formats = formats.get_format('DATETIME_INPUT_FORMATS', use_l10n=True)
+        for format in input_formats:
+            try:
+                d = datetime.datetime.strptime(value, format)
+                d = self.event.timezone.localize(d)
+                try:
+                    se = self.event.subevents.get(
+                        active=True,
+                        date_from__gt=d - datetime.timedelta(seconds=1),
+                        date_from__lt=d + datetime.timedelta(seconds=1),
+                    )
+                    self._subevent_cache[value] = se
+                    return se
+                except SubEvent.DoesNotExist:
+                    raise ValidationError(pgettext("subevent", "No matching date was found."))
+                except SubEvent.MultipleObjectsReturned:
+                    raise ValidationError(pgettext("subevent", "Multiple matching dates were found."))
+            except (ValueError, TypeError):
+                continue
+
         matches = [
             p for p in self.subevents
             if str(p.pk) == value or any(
@@ -181,6 +210,8 @@ class SubeventColumn(ImportColumn):
             raise ValidationError(pgettext("subevent", "No matching date was found."))
         if len(matches) > 1:
             raise ValidationError(pgettext("subevent", "Multiple matching dates were found."))
+
+        self._subevent_cache[value] = matches[0]
         return matches[0]
 
     def assign(self, value, order, position, invoice_address, **kwargs):
diff --git a/src/tests/base/test_orderimport.py b/src/tests/base/test_orderimport.py
index b083810281..1c5534e9fc 100644
--- a/src/tests/base/test_orderimport.py
+++ b/src/tests/base/test_orderimport.py
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@
 # <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 #
 import csv
+import datetime
 from decimal import Decimal
 from io import StringIO
 
@@ -68,6 +69,7 @@ def inputfile_factory():
             'G': 'US',
             'H': 'Texas',
             'I': 'Foo',
+            'J': '2021-06-28 11:00:00',
         },
         {
             'A': 'Daniel',
@@ -79,6 +81,7 @@ def inputfile_factory():
             'G': 'DE',
             'H': '',
             'I': 'Bar',
+            'J': '2021-06-28 11:00:00',
         },
         {
             'A': 'Anke',
@@ -90,10 +93,11 @@ def inputfile_factory():
             'G': 'AU',
             'H': '',
             'I': 'Foo,Bar',
+            'J': '2021-06-28 11:00:00',
         },
     ]
     f = StringIO()
-    w = csv.DictWriter(f, ['A', 'B', 'C', 'D', 'E', 'F', 'G', 'H', "I"], dialect=csv.excel)
+    w = csv.DictWriter(f, ['A', 'B', 'C', 'D', 'E', 'F', 'G', 'H', 'I', 'J'], dialect=csv.excel)
     w.writeheader()
     w.writerows(d)
     f.seek(0)
@@ -675,7 +679,7 @@ def test_import_subevent_required(user, event, item):
 
 @pytest.mark.django_db
 @scopes_disabled()
-def test_import_subevent(user, event, item):
+def test_import_subevent_by_name(user, event, item):
     settings = dict(DEFAULT_SETTINGS)
     event.has_subevents = True
     event.save()
@@ -689,6 +693,23 @@ def test_import_subevent(user, event, item):
     assert OrderPosition.objects.filter(subevent=s).count() == 3
 
 
+@pytest.mark.django_db
+@scopes_disabled()
+def test_import_subevent_by_date(user, event, item):
+    settings = dict(DEFAULT_SETTINGS)
+    event.has_subevents = True
+    event.save()
+    event.settings.timezone = 'Europe/Berlin'
+    s = event.subevents.create(name='Test', date_from=event.timezone.localize(datetime.datetime(2021, 6, 28, 11, 0, 0, 0)), active=True)
+    settings['item'] = 'static:{}'.format(item.pk)
+    settings['subevent'] = 'csv:J'
+
+    import_orders.apply(
+        args=(event.pk, inputfile_factory().id, settings, 'en', user.pk)
+    ).get()
+    assert OrderPosition.objects.filter(subevent=s).count() == 3
+
+
 @pytest.mark.django_db
 @scopes_disabled()
 def test_import_question_validate(user, event, item):