diff --git a/dotdrop/cfg_aggregator.py b/dotdrop/cfg_aggregator.py
index fdce64d..efa45e8 100644
--- a/dotdrop/cfg_aggregator.py
+++ b/dotdrop/cfg_aggregator.py
@@ -286,7 +286,7 @@ class CfgAggregator:
                                  islist=False)
         self._patch_keys_to_objs(self.dotfiles,
                                  "trans_w",
-                                 self._get_trans_w_args(self._get_trans_w),
+                                 self._get_trans_w_args(self.get_trans_w),
                                  islist=False)
 
     def _patch_keys_to_objs(self, containers, keys, get_by_key, islist=True):
@@ -460,7 +460,7 @@ class CfgAggregator:
         except StopIteration:
             return None
 
-    def _get_trans_w(self, key):
+    def get_trans_w(self, key):
         """return the trans_w with this key"""
         try:
             return next(x for x in self.trans_w if x.key == key)
diff --git a/dotdrop/dotdrop.py b/dotdrop/dotdrop.py
index a53c034..88c4207 100644
--- a/dotdrop/dotdrop.py
+++ b/dotdrop/dotdrop.py
@@ -537,7 +537,8 @@ def cmd_importer(opts):
     for path in paths:
         tmpret = importer.import_path(path, import_as=opts.import_as,
                                       import_link=opts.import_link,
-                                      import_mode=opts.import_mode)
+                                      import_mode=opts.import_mode,
+                                      import_transw=opts.import_transw)
         if tmpret < 0:
             ret = False
         elif tmpret > 0:
diff --git a/dotdrop/importer.py b/dotdrop/importer.py
index 4115d3e..c0d3cf3 100644
--- a/dotdrop/importer.py
+++ b/dotdrop/importer.py
@@ -11,7 +11,8 @@ import shutil
 # local imports
 from dotdrop.logger import Logger
 from dotdrop.utils import strip_home, get_default_file_perms, \
-    get_file_perm, get_umask, must_ignore
+    get_file_perm, get_umask, must_ignore, \
+    get_unique_tmp_name, removepath
 from dotdrop.linktypes import LinkTypes
 from dotdrop.comparator import Comparator
 
@@ -47,7 +48,9 @@ class Importer:
         self.log = Logger(debug=self.debug)
 
     def import_path(self, path, import_as=None,
-                    import_link=LinkTypes.NOLINK, import_mode=False):
+                    import_link=LinkTypes.NOLINK,
+                    import_mode=False,
+                    import_transw=""):
         """
         import a dotfile pointed by path
         returns:
@@ -61,11 +64,20 @@ class Importer:
             self.log.err('\"{}\" does not exist, ignored!'.format(path))
             return -1
 
+        # check transw if any
+        trans_write = None
+        if import_transw:
+            trans_write = self.conf.get_trans_w(import_transw)
+
         return self._import(path, import_as=import_as,
-                            import_link=import_link, import_mode=import_mode)
+                            import_link=import_link,
+                            import_mode=import_mode,
+                            trans_write=trans_write)
 
     def _import(self, path, import_as=None,
-                import_link=LinkTypes.NOLINK, import_mode=False):
+                import_link=LinkTypes.NOLINK,
+                import_mode=False,
+                trans_write=None):
         """
         import path
         returns:
@@ -120,12 +132,16 @@ class Importer:
 
         self.log.dbg('import dotfile: src:{} dst:{}'.format(src, dst))
 
-        if not self._prepare_hierarchy(src, dst):
+        if not self._import_file(src, dst, trans_write=trans_write):
             return -1
 
-        return self._import_it(path, src, dst, perm, linktype, import_mode)
+        # TODO add trans_write
+        # TODO add trans_read too
+        return self._import_in_config(path, src, dst, perm, linktype,
+                                      import_mode)
 
-    def _import_it(self, path, src, dst, perm, linktype, import_mode):
+    def _import_in_config(self, path, src, dst, perm,
+                          linktype, import_mode):
         """
         import path
         returns:
@@ -151,34 +167,45 @@ class Importer:
         self.log.sub('\"{}\" imported'.format(path))
         return 1
 
-    def _prepare_hier_when_exists(self, srcf, dst):
-        """a dotfile in dotpath already exists at that spot"""
-        if not os.path.exists(srcf):
+    def _check_existing_dotfile(self, src, dst):
+        """
+        check if a dotfile in the dotpath
+        already exists for this src
+        """
+        if not os.path.exists(src):
             return True
         if not self.safe:
             return True
         cmp = Comparator(debug=self.debug,
                          diff_cmd=self.diff_cmd)
-        diff = cmp.compare(srcf, dst)
+        diff = cmp.compare(src, dst)
         if diff != '':
             # files are different, dunno what to do
-            self.log.log('diff \"{}\" VS \"{}\"'.format(dst, srcf))
+            self.log.log('diff \"{}\" VS \"{}\"'.format(dst, src))
             self.log.emph(diff)
             # ask user
             msg = 'Dotfile \"{}\" already exists, overwrite?'
-            if not self.log.ask(msg.format(srcf)):
+            if not self.log.ask(msg.format(src)):
                 return False
             self.log.dbg('will overwrite existing file')
         return True
 
-    def _prepare_hierarchy(self, src, dst):
-        """prepare hierarchy for dotfile"""
+    def _import_file(self, src, dst, trans_write=None):
+        """
+        prepare hierarchy for dotfile in dotpath
+        and copy file
+        src is file in dotpath
+        dst is file on filesystem
+        """
         srcf = os.path.join(self.dotpath, src)
         srcfd = os.path.dirname(srcf)
+
+        # check if must be ignored
         if self._ignore(srcf) or self._ignore(srcfd):
             return False
 
-        if not self._prepare_hier_when_exists(srcf, dst):
+        # check we are not overwritting
+        if not self._check_existing_dotfile(srcf, dst):
             return False
 
         # create directory hierarchy
@@ -192,9 +219,15 @@ class Importer:
                 self.log.err('importing \"{}\" failed!'.format(dst))
                 return False
 
+        # import the file
         if self.dry:
             self.log.dry('would copy {} to {}'.format(dst, srcf))
         else:
+            # apply trans_w
+            dst = self._apply_trans_w(dst, trans_write)
+            if not dst:
+                # transformation failed
+                return False
             # copy the file to the dotpath
             try:
                 if os.path.isdir(dst):
@@ -246,3 +279,23 @@ class Importer:
             self.log.warn('{} ignored'.format(path))
             return True
         return False
+
+    def _apply_trans_w(self, path, trans):
+        """
+        apply transformation to path on filesystem)
+        returns
+        - the new path (tmp file) if trans
+        - original path if no trans
+        - None/empty string if error
+        """
+        if not trans:
+            return path
+        self.log.dbg('executing write transformation {}'.format(trans))
+        tmp = get_unique_tmp_name()
+        if not trans.transform(path, tmp, debug=self.debug):
+            msg = 'transformation \"{}\" failed for {}'
+            self.log.err(msg.format(trans.key, path))
+            if os.path.exists(tmp):
+                removepath(tmp, logger=self.log)
+            return None
+        return tmp
diff --git a/dotdrop/options.py b/dotdrop/options.py
index 9f1fa38..9a4646b 100644
--- a/dotdrop/options.py
+++ b/dotdrop/options.py
@@ -59,8 +59,8 @@ USAGE = """
 Usage:
   dotdrop install   [-VbtfndDaW] [-c <path>] [-p <profile>]
                                  [-w <nb>] [<key>...]
-  dotdrop import    [-Vbdfm]     [-c <path>] [-p <profile>] [-s <path>]
-                                 [-l <link>] [-i <pattern>...] <path>...
+  dotdrop import    [-Vbdfm]     [-c <path>] [-p <profile>] [-i <pattern>...]
+                                 [-l <link>] [-S <key>] [-s <path>] <path>...
   dotdrop compare   [-LVbz]      [-c <path>] [-p <profile>]
                                  [-w <nb>] [-C <file>...] [-i <pattern>...]
   dotdrop update    [-VbfdkPz]   [-c <path>] [-p <profile>]
@@ -90,6 +90,7 @@ Options:
   -p --profile=<profile>  Specify the profile to use [default: {}].
   -P --show-patch         Provide a one-liner to manually patch template.
   -s --as=<path>          Import as a different path from actual path.
+  -S --transw=<key>       Apply trans_write key on import.
   -t --temp               Install to a temporary directory for review.
   -T --template           Only template dotfiles.
   -V --verbose            Be verbose.
@@ -273,6 +274,7 @@ class Options(AttrMonitor):
         self.import_ignore.extend(self.impignore)
         self.import_ignore.append('*{}'.format(self.install_backup_suffix))
         self.import_ignore = uniq_list(self.import_ignore)
+        self.import_transw = self.args['--transw']
 
     def _apply_args_update(self):
         """update specifics"""
diff --git a/tests-ng/import-with-trans.sh b/tests-ng/import-with-trans.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..11ccd59
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests-ng/import-with-trans.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,126 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+# author: deadc0de6 (https://github.com/deadc0de6)
+# Copyright (c) 2022, deadc0de6
+#
+# test transformations for import
+# returns 1 in case of error
+#
+
+# exit on first error
+set -e
+#set -v
+
+# all this crap to get current path
+rl="readlink -f"
+if ! ${rl} "${0}" >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+  rl="realpath"
+
+  if ! hash ${rl}; then
+    echo "\"${rl}\" not found !" && exit 1
+  fi
+fi
+cur=$(dirname "$(${rl} "${0}")")
+
+#hash dotdrop >/dev/null 2>&1
+#[ "$?" != "0" ] && echo "install dotdrop to run tests" && exit 1
+
+#echo "called with ${1}"
+
+# dotdrop path can be pass as argument
+ddpath="${cur}/../"
+[ "${1}" != "" ] && ddpath="${1}"
+[ ! -d ${ddpath} ] && echo "ddpath \"${ddpath}\" is not a directory" && exit 1
+
+export PYTHONPATH="${ddpath}:${PYTHONPATH}"
+bin="python3 -m dotdrop.dotdrop"
+hash coverage 2>/dev/null && bin="coverage run -a --source=dotdrop -m dotdrop.dotdrop" || true
+
+echo "dotdrop path: ${ddpath}"
+echo "pythonpath: ${PYTHONPATH}"
+
+# get the helpers
+source ${cur}/helpers
+
+echo -e "$(tput setaf 6)==> RUNNING $(basename $BASH_SOURCE) <==$(tput sgr0)"
+
+################################################################
+# this is the test
+################################################################
+
+# the dotfile source
+tmps=`mktemp -d --suffix='-dotdrop-tests' || mktemp -d`
+mkdir -p ${tmps}/dotfiles
+echo "dotfiles source (dotpath): ${tmps}"
+# the dotfile destination
+tmpd=`mktemp -d --suffix='-dotdrop-tests' || mktemp -d`
+echo "dotfiles destination: ${tmpd}"
+
+clear_on_exit "${tmps}"
+clear_on_exit "${tmpd}"
+
+# create the config file
+cfg="${tmps}/config.yaml"
+
+cat > ${cfg} << _EOF
+trans_read:
+  base64: cat {0} | base64 -d > {1}
+  uncompress: mkdir -p {1} && tar -xf {0} -C {1}
+trans_write:
+  base64: cat {0} | base64 > {1}
+  compress: tar -cf {1} -C {0} .
+config:
+  backup: true
+  create: true
+  dotpath: dotfiles
+dotfiles:
+profiles:
+_EOF
+#cat ${cfg}
+
+# tokens
+token="test-base64"
+tokend="compressed archive"
+
+# create the dotfiles
+echo ${token} > ${tmpd}/abc
+mkdir -p ${tmpd}/def/a
+echo ${tokend} > ${tmpd}/def/a/file
+
+###########################
+# test import
+###########################
+
+echo "[+] run import"
+# import file
+cd ${ddpath} | ${bin} import -f -c ${cfg} -p p1 -b -V -S base64 ${tmpd}/abc
+# import directory
+cd ${ddpath} | ${bin} import -f -c ${cfg} -p p1 -b -V -S compress ${tmpd}/def
+
+# check file imported in dotpath
+[ ! -e ${tmps}/dotfiles/${tmpd}/abc ] && echo "abc does not exist" && exit 1
+[ ! -e ${tmps}/dotfiles/${tmpd}/def ] && echo "def does not exist" && exit 1
+
+# check content in dotpath
+echo "checking content"
+file ${tmps}/dotfiles/${tmpd}/abc | grep -i 'text'
+cat ${tmpd}/abc | base64 > ${tmps}/test-abc
+diff ${tmps}/dotfiles/${tmpd}/abc ${tmps}/test-abc
+
+file ${tmps}/dotfiles/${tmpd}/def | grep -i 'tar'
+tar -cf ${tmps}/test-def -C ${tmpd}/def .
+diff ${tmps}/dotfiles/${tmpd}/def ${tmps}/test-def
+
+# check is imported in config
+echo "checking imported in config"
+cd ${ddpath} | ${bin} -p p1 -c ${cfg} files
+cd ${ddpath} | ${bin} -p p1 -c ${cfg} files | grep '^f_abc'
+cd ${ddpath} | ${bin} -p p1 -c ${cfg} files | grep '^d_def'
+
+# check has trans_write in config
+echo "checking trans_write is set in config"
+cat ${cfg}
+cat ${cfg} | grep -m 1 -A 3 'f_abc' | grep 'trans_write: base64'
+cat ${cfg} | grep -m 1 -A 3 'd_def' | grep 'trans_write: compress'
+
+echo "OK"
+exit 0