Importing lookupid into update batch

I have created a new batch type for a new table.

The new table has a lookupid to facilitate changes.  

If I create a batch through the front end and enter the lookupid for an existing record, the rest of the record data populates the form fields.

However, if I import the record and the lookupid, the existing record data is not loaded.

in the screenshot below, the first record was imported, the second was added to the batch. 

It appears that when the lookupid is imported it does not trigger the searchlist behind it. 

Has anyone else observed this behavior?  Is there a way to correct it?