diff --git a/python/lib/sift_client/_internal/util/hdf5.py b/python/lib/sift_client/_internal/util/hdf5.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..c0edfe820
--- /dev/null
+++ b/python/lib/sift_client/_internal/util/hdf5.py
@@ -0,0 +1,130 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from pathlib import Path
+
+import h5py
+import numpy as np
+
+from sift_client.sift_types.channel import ChannelDataType
+from sift_client.sift_types.data_import import Hdf5DataColumn, Hdf5ImportConfig, TimeFormat
+
+# Common HDF5 attribute names used to detect channel metadata.
+_NAME_ATTRS = ["Name", "name", "Title", "title", "Sensor", "sensor", "Channel", "channel"]
+_UNIT_ATTRS = ["Unit", "unit", "Units", "units"]
+_DESCRIPTION_ATTRS = ["Description", "description"]
+
+_NUMPY_TO_SIFT: dict[type, ChannelDataType] = {
+    np.bool_: ChannelDataType.BOOL,
+    np.int8: ChannelDataType.INT_32,
+    np.int16: ChannelDataType.INT_32,
+    np.int32: ChannelDataType.INT_32,
+    np.int64: ChannelDataType.INT_64,
+    np.uint8: ChannelDataType.UINT_32,
+    np.uint16: ChannelDataType.UINT_32,
+    np.uint32: ChannelDataType.UINT_32,
+    np.uint64: ChannelDataType.UINT_64,
+    np.float32: ChannelDataType.FLOAT,
+    np.float64: ChannelDataType.DOUBLE,
+    np.datetime64: ChannelDataType.INT_64,
+    np.complex64: ChannelDataType.FLOAT,
+    np.complex128: ChannelDataType.DOUBLE,
+    np.str_: ChannelDataType.STRING,
+    # HDF5/TDMS fixed-length strings are stored as np.bytes_; use STRING, not
+    # BYTES (np.void below handles truly opaque binary data).
+    np.bytes_: ChannelDataType.STRING,
+    # Numpy uses object dtype for variable-length strings; TDMS/HDF5 files
+    # cannot produce non-string object arrays.
+    np.object_: ChannelDataType.STRING,
+    np.void: ChannelDataType.BYTES,
+}
+
+
+def _detect_attr(dataset: h5py.Dataset, candidates: list[str], default: str = "") -> str:
+    """Return the first matching HDF5 attribute value, or *default*."""
+    possible = [dataset.attrs.get(attr) for attr in candidates if dataset.attrs.get(attr)]
+    return str(possible[0]) if possible else default
+
+
+def _numpy_to_sift_type(dtype: np.dtype) -> ChannelDataType:
+    """Map a numpy dtype to a Sift ChannelDataType."""
+    sift_type = _NUMPY_TO_SIFT.get(dtype.type)
+    if sift_type is None:
+        raise ValueError(f"Unsupported numpy dtype: {dtype}")
+    return sift_type
+
+
+def detect_hdf5_config(file_path: str | Path) -> Hdf5ImportConfig:
+    """Detect an HDF5 import config by inspecting the file's datasets.
+
+    Traverses the HDF5 file and produces (time dataset, value dataset) pairs.
+    For compound datasets with multiple fields, the first field is assumed to
+    be time and remaining fields become value channels. For simple datasets,
+    a root-level ``time`` dataset is used if present.
+    """
+    path = Path(file_path)
+
+    with h5py.File(path, "r") as h5file:
+        columns: list[Hdf5DataColumn] = []
+        seen_names: set[str] = set()
+        has_root_time = "time" in h5file
+
+        def _visit(dataset_name: str, obj: object) -> None:
+            if not isinstance(obj, h5py.Dataset):
+                return
+
+            # Skip root "time" dataset — it's used as the time source, not a value channel.
+            if dataset_name == "time" and obj.parent == h5file:
+                return
+
+            n_fields = len(obj.dtype.names) if obj.dtype.names else 0
+
+            if n_fields > 1:
+                # Compound type: first field is time, remaining are value channels.
+                for value_index in range(1, n_fields):
+                    channel_name = _detect_attr(obj, _NAME_ATTRS, dataset_name)
+                    if channel_name in seen_names:
+                        channel_name = f"{channel_name}.{dataset_name}.{value_index}"
+
+                    columns.append(
+                        Hdf5DataColumn(
+                            name=channel_name,
+                            data_type=_numpy_to_sift_type(obj.dtype[value_index]),
+                            units=_detect_attr(obj, _UNIT_ATTRS),
+                            description=_detect_attr(obj, _DESCRIPTION_ATTRS),
+                            time_dataset=dataset_name,
+                            value_dataset=dataset_name,
+                            time_index=0,
+                            value_index=0,
+                            time_field=obj.dtype.names[0],
+                            value_field=obj.dtype.names[value_index],
+                        )
+                    )
+                    seen_names.add(channel_name)
+
+            elif n_fields in (0, 1):
+                # Single column. Use root "time" as time dataset if available.
+                channel_name = _detect_attr(obj, _NAME_ATTRS, dataset_name)
+                if channel_name in seen_names:
+                    channel_name = f"{channel_name}.{dataset_name}"
+
+                columns.append(
+                    Hdf5DataColumn(
+                        name=channel_name,
+                        data_type=_numpy_to_sift_type(obj.dtype),
+                        units=_detect_attr(obj, _UNIT_ATTRS),
+                        description=_detect_attr(obj, _DESCRIPTION_ATTRS),
+                        time_dataset="time" if has_root_time else "",
+                        value_dataset=dataset_name,
+                        time_index=0,
+                        value_index=0,
+                    )
+                )
+                seen_names.add(channel_name)
+
+        h5file.visititems(_visit)
+
+        return Hdf5ImportConfig(
+            asset_name="",
+            time_format=TimeFormat.ABSOLUTE_UNIX_NANOSECONDS,
+            data=columns,
+        )
diff --git a/python/lib/sift_client/_tests/_internal/test_hdf5.py b/python/lib/sift_client/_tests/_internal/test_hdf5.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..1f633d177
--- /dev/null
+++ b/python/lib/sift_client/_tests/_internal/test_hdf5.py
@@ -0,0 +1,132 @@
+"""Tests for detect_hdf5_config."""
+
+import h5py
+import numpy as np
+import pytest
+
+from sift_client._internal.util.hdf5 import detect_hdf5_config
+from sift_client.sift_types.channel import ChannelDataType
+
+
+@pytest.fixture
+def create_hdf5_file(tmp_path):
+    """Return a helper that writes an HDF5 file and returns its path."""
+    file_path = tmp_path / "test.h5"
+
+    def _create(populate):
+        with h5py.File(file_path, "w") as hdf5_file:
+            populate(hdf5_file)
+        return file_path
+
+    return _create
+
+
+class TestDetectHdf5Config:
+    def test_compound_dataset(self, create_hdf5_file):
+        """Compound type: first field is time, remaining fields become value channels."""
+        compound_dtype = np.dtype([("timestamp_ns", "<i8"), ("voltage", "<f8"), ("current", "<f4")])
+
+        def populate(hdf5_file):
+            hdf5_file.create_dataset("sensors", shape=(10,), dtype=compound_dtype)
+
+        config = detect_hdf5_config(create_hdf5_file(populate))
+
+        assert len(config.data) == 2
+        assert config.data[0].time_field == "timestamp_ns"
+        assert config.data[0].value_field == "voltage"
+        assert config.data[0].data_type == ChannelDataType.DOUBLE
+        assert config.data[0].time_dataset == "sensors"
+        assert config.data[0].value_dataset == "sensors"
+
+        assert config.data[1].time_field == "timestamp_ns"
+        assert config.data[1].value_field == "current"
+        assert config.data[1].data_type == ChannelDataType.FLOAT
+
+    def test_single_column_with_root_time(self, create_hdf5_file):
+        """Single-column datasets use root 'time' as time source when present."""
+
+        def populate(hdf5_file):
+            hdf5_file.create_dataset("time", data=np.arange(100, dtype="<i8"))
+            hdf5_file.create_dataset("voltage", data=np.random.rand(100).astype("<f8"))
+            hdf5_file.create_dataset("current", data=np.random.rand(100).astype("<f4"))
+
+        config = detect_hdf5_config(create_hdf5_file(populate))
+
+        assert len(config.data) == 2
+        for col in config.data:
+            assert col.time_dataset == "time"
+            assert col.time_field is None
+            assert col.value_field is None
+
+    def test_single_column_without_root_time(self, create_hdf5_file):
+        """Without root 'time', time_dataset is empty string."""
+
+        def populate(hdf5_file):
+            hdf5_file.create_dataset("voltage", data=np.random.rand(10).astype("<f8"))
+
+        config = detect_hdf5_config(create_hdf5_file(populate))
+
+        assert len(config.data) == 1
+        assert config.data[0].time_dataset == ""
+        assert config.data[0].name == "voltage"
+
+    def test_root_time_skipped_as_value_channel(self, create_hdf5_file):
+        """The root 'time' dataset must not appear as a value channel."""
+
+        def populate(hdf5_file):
+            hdf5_file.create_dataset("time", data=np.arange(10, dtype="<i8"))
+            hdf5_file.create_dataset("voltage", data=np.random.rand(10).astype("<f8"))
+
+        config = detect_hdf5_config(create_hdf5_file(populate))
+
+        channel_names = [col.name for col in config.data]
+        assert "time" not in channel_names
+        assert "voltage" in channel_names
+
+    def test_duplicate_name_deduplication(self, create_hdf5_file):
+        """Duplicate channel names get a .{dataset_name} suffix."""
+
+        def populate(hdf5_file):
+            hdf5_file.create_dataset("time", data=np.arange(10, dtype="<i8"))
+            sensor_1 = hdf5_file.create_dataset(
+                "group1/sensor", data=np.random.rand(10).astype("<f8")
+            )
+            sensor_1.attrs["Name"] = "pressure"
+            sensor_2 = hdf5_file.create_dataset(
+                "group2/sensor", data=np.random.rand(10).astype("<f8")
+            )
+            sensor_2.attrs["Name"] = "pressure"
+
+        config = detect_hdf5_config(create_hdf5_file(populate))
+
+        channel_names = [col.name for col in config.data]
+        assert len(channel_names) == 2
+        assert len(set(channel_names)) == 2  # all unique
+        assert "pressure" in channel_names
+
+    def test_attribute_detection(self, create_hdf5_file):
+        """Channel name, units, and description are read from HDF5 attributes."""
+
+        def populate(hdf5_file):
+            hdf5_file.create_dataset("time", data=np.arange(5, dtype="<i8"))
+            dataset = hdf5_file.create_dataset("raw_voltage", data=np.random.rand(5).astype("<f8"))
+            dataset.attrs["Name"] = "voltage"
+            dataset.attrs["Units"] = "V"
+            dataset.attrs["Description"] = "Supply voltage"
+
+        config = detect_hdf5_config(create_hdf5_file(populate))
+
+        assert len(config.data) == 1
+        assert config.data[0].name == "voltage"
+        assert config.data[0].units == "V"
+        assert config.data[0].description == "Supply voltage"
+
+    def test_unsupported_dtype_raises(self, create_hdf5_file):
+        """Unsupported numpy dtypes raise ValueError rather than silently dropping data."""
+
+        def populate(hdf5_file):
+            hdf5_file.create_dataset("time", data=np.arange(5, dtype="<i8"))
+            hdf5_file.create_dataset("data", data=np.zeros(5, dtype=np.float16))
+
+        with pytest.raises(ValueError, match="Unsupported numpy dtype"):
+            detect_hdf5_config(create_hdf5_file(populate))
diff --git a/python/lib/sift_client/resources/data_imports.py b/python/lib/sift_client/resources/data_imports.py
index f40876234..6f77260ae 100644
--- a/python/lib/sift_client/resources/data_imports.py
+++ b/python/lib/sift_client/resources/data_imports.py
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
 from sift_client._internal.low_level_wrappers.data_imports import DataImportsLowLevelClient
 from sift_client._internal.util.executor import run_sync_function
 from sift_client._internal.util.file import extract_parquet_footer, upload_file
+from sift_client._internal.util.hdf5 import detect_hdf5_config
 from sift_client.resources._base import ResourceBase
 from sift_client.sift_types.asset import Asset
 from sift_client.sift_types.channel import ChannelDataType
@@ -61,8 +62,8 @@ async def import_from_path(
         completion before proceeding.
 
         When ``config`` is omitted the file format is auto-detected via
-        ``detect_config`` (CSV and Parquet only). For other formats
-        (TDMS and HDF5), ``config`` must be provided.
+        ``detect_config`` (CSV, Parquet, and HDF5). For other formats
+        (TDMS), ``config`` must be provided.
         When ``asset`` is provided it overrides the config value;
         otherwise the config's ``asset_name`` is used.
         If neither ``run`` nor ``run_name`` is provided (and none is
@@ -198,9 +199,9 @@ async def detect_config(
         is inferred from the file extension when ``data_type`` is not
         provided.
 
-        Only CSV and Parquet files are currently supported for auto-detection.
-        For other formats (TDMS, HDF5), create the config manually
-        using ``TdmsImportConfig`` or ``Hdf5ImportConfig``.
+        CSV, Parquet, and HDF5 files are supported for auto-detection.
+        For other formats (TDMS), create the config manually
+        using ``TdmsImportConfig``.
 
         For CSV files, the server scans the first two rows for an optional
         JSON metadata row. Row 1 is checked first; row 2 is checked only
@@ -243,6 +244,9 @@ async def detect_config(
 
         data_type_key = _resolve_data_type_key(path.suffix.lower(), data_type)
 
+        if data_type_key == DataTypeKey.HDF5:
+            return await run_sync_function(lambda: detect_hdf5_config(path))
+
         is_parquet = data_type_key in (
             DataTypeKey.PARQUET_FLATDATASET,
             DataTypeKey.PARQUET_SINGLE_CHANNEL_PER_ROW,
diff --git a/python/lib/sift_client/resources/sync_stubs/__init__.pyi b/python/lib/sift_client/resources/sync_stubs/__init__.pyi
index 62fe9d87a..ea57a41de 100644
--- a/python/lib/sift_client/resources/sync_stubs/__init__.pyi
+++ b/python/lib/sift_client/resources/sync_stubs/__init__.pyi
@@ -653,9 +653,9 @@ class DataImportAPI:
         is inferred from the file extension when ``data_type`` is not
         provided.
 
-        Only CSV and Parquet files are currently supported for auto-detection.
-        For other formats (TDMS, HDF5), create the config manually
-        using ``TdmsImportConfig`` or ``Hdf5ImportConfig``.
+        CSV, Parquet, and HDF5 files are supported for auto-detection.
+        For other formats (TDMS), create the config manually
+        using ``TdmsImportConfig``.
 
         For CSV files, the server scans the first two rows for an optional
         JSON metadata row. Row 1 is checked first; row 2 is checked only
@@ -733,8 +733,8 @@ class DataImportAPI:
         completion before proceeding.
 
         When ``config`` is omitted the file format is auto-detected via
-        ``detect_config`` (CSV and Parquet only). For other formats
-        (TDMS and HDF5), ``config`` must be provided.
+        ``detect_config`` (CSV, Parquet, and HDF5). For other formats
+        (TDMS), ``config`` must be provided.
         When ``asset`` is provided it overrides the config value;
         otherwise the config's ``asset_name`` is used.
         If neither ``run`` nor ``run_name`` is provided (and none is
diff --git a/python/lib/sift_client/sift_types/data_import.py b/python/lib/sift_client/sift_types/data_import.py
index 62208a678..73bc64454 100644
--- a/python/lib/sift_client/sift_types/data_import.py
+++ b/python/lib/sift_client/sift_types/data_import.py
@@ -593,6 +593,18 @@ class Hdf5ImportConfig(ImportConfigBase):
     time_format: TimeFormat
     relative_start_time: datetime | None = None
 
+    def __getitem__(self, name: str) -> Hdf5DataColumn:
+        """Look up a data column by channel name.
+
+        Example::
+
+            config["temperature"].data_type = ChannelDataType.FLOAT
+        """
+        for dc in self.data:
+            if dc.name == name:
+                return dc
+        raise KeyError(f"No data column named '{name}'")
+
     @model_validator(mode="after")
     def _check_relative_start_time(self) -> Hdf5ImportConfig:
         if self.time_format.name.startswith("RELATIVE_") and self.relative_start_time is None:
diff --git a/python/pyproject.toml b/python/pyproject.toml
index d3fc9ab96..7a681373f 100644
--- a/python/pyproject.toml
+++ b/python/pyproject.toml
@@ -168,7 +168,7 @@ file-imports = [
 ]
 hdf5 = [
     'h5py~=3.11',
-    'polars~=1.8',
+    'polars~=1.8',  # only used by sift_py; remove once sift_py is fully deprecated
 ]
 openssl = [
     'cffi~=1.14',
@@ -219,7 +219,7 @@ openssl = ["pyOpenSSL<24.0.0", "types-pyOpenSSL<24.0.0", "cffi~=1.14"]
 tdms = ["npTDMS~=1.9"]
 rosbags = ["rosbags~=0.0"]
 sift-stream = ["sift-stream-bindings==0.2.2"]
-hdf5 = ["h5py~=3.11", "polars~=1.8"]
+hdf5 = ["h5py~=3.11", "polars~=1.8"]  # polars is only used by sift_py; remove once sift_py is fully deprecated
 data-review = ["pyarrow>=17.0.0"]
 
 [tool.sift.extras.combine]
@@ -282,6 +282,10 @@ exclude = [
 
 # No official typing stubs for Python gRPC libraries yet.
 # https://github.com/grpc/grpc/issues/29041
+[[tool.mypy.overrides]]
+module = "h5py"
+ignore_missing_imports = true
+
 [[tool.mypy.overrides]]
 module = "grpc_testing"
 ignore_missing_imports = true