How to Fix “Unable to Create the Type ‘ZS-SMTP’” Error in SSIS When Importing Projects

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Applies to

  • ZappySys SSIS PowerPack
  • SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS)
  • Visual Studio / SSDT (2017 / 2019 / 2022)

:light_bulb: Problem

When importing an SSIS project using Integration Services Import Project Wizard, the import fails with the following error:

Unable to create the type with the name ‘ZS-SMTP’. (Microsoft.SqlServer.ManagedDTS)

The wizard shows:

  • Preparing import project → Passed
  • Creating project → Failed
  • Opening project → Not started

This error occurs before the project is fully created and prevents the project from opening in Visual Studio.

:magnifying_glass_tilted_left: Root Cause

This issue occurs when ZappySys SSIS PowerPack is not installed or not properly registered on the machine where the SSIS project is being imported.

The SSIS project contains a ZappySys custom component (for example: ZS-SMTP). During project import, SSIS attempts to instantiate all referenced components. If the required ZappySys assemblies are missing, SSIS cannot create the component type and fails the import.

Common reasons include:

  • ZappySys SSIS PowerPack is not installed on the target machine
  • Installed PowerPack version is older than the version used to create the project
  • PowerPack installed for a different SSIS / Visual Studio version
  • Visual Studio was not restarted after installation
  • TargetServerVersion mismatch in the SSIS project

:white_check_mark: Solution

Follow the steps below to resolve the issue.

Step 1: Install ZappySys SSIS PowerPack

On the machine where you are importing the SSIS project:

  • Download and install ZappySys SSIS PowerPack
  • Ensure you install:
    • The same SSIS version (e.g. SSIS 2019)
    • Correct bitness (x64 recommended)
    • Select Typical Default settings during installation
    • Make sure you’ve closed all instances of Visual Studio and SQL.

:light_bulb: If unsure, install the same or newer PowerPack version than the source machine.

Step 2: Restart Visual Studio

After installation:

  • Close all Visual Studio instances
  • Reopen Visual Studio as Administrator (recommended)

This ensures the SSIS designer reloads all registered components.

Step 3: Verify ZappySys SSIS PowerPack components are loaded

Open any SSIS project and check:

  • SSIS Toolbox
  • Confirm ZappySys components appear (API Source, Email/SMTP, etc.)

If ZappySys SSIS PowerPack components do not appear, the import will continue to fail.

Step 4: Re-import the SSIS project

Run Integration Services Import Project Wizard again.

Once the required assemblies are available, SSIS will successfully create the project and load all components, including ZS-SMTP.

:brain: Additional Notes

  • This behavior is not specific to SMTP — it applies to any ZappySys component.
  • Similar errors may appear as:
    • Unable to create the type with the name ‘ZS-API-Source’
    • Unable to create the type with the name ‘ZS-HTTP’
    • Could not load file or assembly ‘ZappySys.’*
  • This is expected SSIS behavior when a project references custom components not installed on the current machine.

:link: Related Articles

:chequered_flag: Summary

If you see the error “Unable to create the type with the name ‘ZS-SMTP’” while importing an SSIS project, it means the required ZappySys SSIS PowerPack component is missing or incompatible on the target machine.

Installing the correct PowerPack version and restarting Visual Studio resolves the issue in most cases.