diff --git a/server/accounts.go b/server/accounts.go
index 94074edc..e1322041 100644
--- a/server/accounts.go
+++ b/server/accounts.go
@@ -1903,7 +1903,7 @@ func (a *Account) addServiceImport(dest *Account, from, to string, claim *jwt.Im
 		} else {
 			to, _ = transformUntokenize(to)
 			// Create a transform. Do so in reverse such that $ symbols only exist in to
-			if tr, err = NewSubjectTransform(to, transformTokenize(from)); err != nil {
+			if tr, err = NewSubjectTransformStrict(to, transformTokenize(from)); err != nil {
 				a.mu.Unlock()
 				return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to create mapping transform for service import subject from %q to %q: %v",
 					from, to, err)
@@ -2256,7 +2256,7 @@ func (si *serviceImport) isRespServiceImport() bool {
 	return si != nil && si.response
 }
 
-// Sets the response theshold timer for a service export.
+// Sets the response threshold timer for a service export.
 // Account lock should be held
 func (se *serviceExport) setResponseThresholdTimer() {
 	if se.rtmr != nil {
@@ -2459,7 +2459,7 @@ func (a *Account) AddMappedStreamImportWithClaim(account *Account, from, to stri
 			usePub = true
 		} else {
 			// Create a transform
-			if tr, err = NewSubjectTransform(from, transformTokenize(to)); err != nil {
+			if tr, err = NewSubjectTransformStrict(from, transformTokenize(to)); err != nil {
 				return fmt.Errorf("failed to create mapping transform for stream import subject from %q to %q: %v",
 					from, to, err)
 			}
diff --git a/server/errors.go b/server/errors.go
index 0dd73b89..275c0e36 100644
--- a/server/errors.go
+++ b/server/errors.go
@@ -219,6 +219,9 @@ var (
 
 	// ErrorMappingDestinationFunctionTooManyArguments is returned when the mapping destination function is passed too many arguments
 	ErrorMappingDestinationFunctionTooManyArguments = fmt.Errorf("%w: too many arguments passed to the function", ErrInvalidMappingDestination)
+
+	// ErrorMappingDestinationFunctionNotSupportedForImport is returned when you try to use a mapping function other than wildcard in a transform that needs to be reversible (i.e. an import)
+	ErrorMappingDestinationFunctionNotSupportedForImport = fmt.Errorf("%w: the only mapping function allowed for import transforms is {{Wildcard()}}", ErrInvalidMappingDestination)
 )
 
 // mappingDestinationErr is a type of subject mapping destination error
diff --git a/server/subject_transform.go b/server/subject_transform.go
index 03c093ce..4ac93144 100644
--- a/server/subject_transform.go
+++ b/server/subject_transform.go
@@ -69,7 +69,9 @@ type SubjectTransformer interface {
 	TransformTokenizedSubject(tokens []string) string
 }
 
-func NewSubjectTransform(src, dest string) (*subjectTransform, error) {
+func NewSubjectTransformWithStrict(src, dest string, strict bool) (*subjectTransform, error) {
+	// strict = true for import subject mappings that need to be reversible
+	// (meaning can only use the Wildcard function and must use all the pwcs that are present in the source)
 	// No source given is equivalent to the source being ">"
 	if src == _EMPTY_ {
 		src = fwcs
@@ -106,6 +108,12 @@ func NewSubjectTransform(src, dest string) (*subjectTransform, error) {
 				return nil, err
 			}
 
+			if strict {
+				if tranformType != NoTransform && tranformType != Wildcard {
+					return nil, &mappingDestinationErr{token, ErrorMappingDestinationFunctionNotSupportedForImport}
+				}
+			}
+
 			if tranformType == NoTransform {
 				dtokMappingFunctionTypes = append(dtokMappingFunctionTypes, NoTransform)
 				dtokMappingFunctionTokenIndexes = append(dtokMappingFunctionTokenIndexes, []int{-1})
@@ -128,7 +136,7 @@ func NewSubjectTransform(src, dest string) (*subjectTransform, error) {
 
 			}
 		}
-		if nphs < npwcs {
+		if strict && nphs < npwcs {
 			// not all wildcards are being used in the destination
 			return nil, &mappingDestinationErr{dest, ErrMappingDestinationNotUsingAllWildcards}
 		}
@@ -146,6 +154,14 @@ func NewSubjectTransform(src, dest string) (*subjectTransform, error) {
 	}, nil
 }
 
+func NewSubjectTransform(src, dest string) (*subjectTransform, error) {
+	return NewSubjectTransformWithStrict(src, dest, false)
+}
+
+func NewSubjectTransformStrict(src, dest string) (*subjectTransform, error) {
+	return NewSubjectTransformWithStrict(src, dest, true)
+}
+
 func getMappingFunctionArgs(functionRegEx *regexp.Regexp, token string) []string {
 	commandStrings := functionRegEx.FindStringSubmatch(token)
 	if len(commandStrings) > 1 {
@@ -304,14 +320,15 @@ func transformTokenize(subject string) string {
 // Helper function to go from transform destination to a subject with partial wildcards and ordered list of placeholders
 // E.g.:
 //
-//	"bar" -> "bar", []
-//	"foo.$2.$1" -> "foo.*.*", ["$2","$1"]
+//		"bar" -> "bar", []
+//		"foo.$2.$1" -> "foo.*.*", ["$2","$1"]
+//	    "foo.{{wildcard(2)}}.{{wildcard(1)}}" -> "foo.*.*", ["{{wildcard(2)}}","{{wildcard(1)}}"]
 func transformUntokenize(subject string) (string, []string) {
 	var phs []string
 	var nda []string
 
 	for _, token := range strings.Split(subject, tsep) {
-		if len(token) > 1 && token[0] == '$' && token[1] >= '1' && token[1] <= '9' {
+		if args := getMappingFunctionArgs(wildcardMappingFunctionRegEx, token); (len(token) > 1 && token[0] == '$' && token[1] >= '1' && token[1] <= '9') || (len(args) == 1 && args[0] != _EMPTY_) {
 			phs = append(phs, token)
 			nda = append(nda, pwcs)
 		} else {
@@ -496,7 +513,7 @@ func (tr *subjectTransform) TransformTokenizedSubject(tokens []string) string {
 // Reverse a subjectTransform.
 func (tr *subjectTransform) reverse() *subjectTransform {
 	if len(tr.dtokmftokindexesargs) == 0 {
-		rtr, _ := NewSubjectTransform(tr.dest, tr.src)
+		rtr, _ := NewSubjectTransformStrict(tr.dest, tr.src)
 		return rtr
 	}
 	// If we are here we need to dynamically get the correct reverse
@@ -516,6 +533,6 @@ func (tr *subjectTransform) reverse() *subjectTransform {
 		}
 	}
 	ndest := strings.Join(nda, tsep)
-	rtr, _ := NewSubjectTransform(nsrc, ndest)
+	rtr, _ := NewSubjectTransformStrict(nsrc, ndest)
 	return rtr
 }
diff --git a/server/subject_transform_test.go b/server/subject_transform_test.go
index d2ce5523..48ebcf55 100644
--- a/server/subject_transform_test.go
+++ b/server/subject_transform_test.go
@@ -73,58 +73,107 @@ func TestPlaceHolderIndex(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestSubjectTransformHelpers(t *testing.T) {
+	equals := func(a, b []string) bool {
+		if len(a) != len(b) {
+			return false
+		}
+		for i, v := range a {
+			if v != b[i] {
+				return false
+			}
+		}
+		return true
+	}
+
+	filter, placeHolders := transformUntokenize("bar")
+	if filter != "bar" || len(placeHolders) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("transformUntokenize for not returning expected result")
+	}
+
+	filter, placeHolders = transformUntokenize("foo.$2.$1")
+	if filter != "foo.*.*" || !equals(placeHolders, []string{"$2", "$1"}) {
+		t.Fatalf("transformUntokenize for not returning expected result")
+	}
+
+	filter, placeHolders = transformUntokenize("foo.{{wildcard(2)}}.{{wildcard(1)}}")
+	if filter != "foo.*.*" || !equals(placeHolders, []string{"{{wildcard(2)}}", "{{wildcard(1)}}"}) {
+		t.Fatalf("transformUntokenize for not returning expected result")
+	}
+
+	newReversibleTransform := func(src, dest string) *subjectTransform {
+		tr, err := NewSubjectTransformStrict(src, dest)
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("Error getting reversible transform: %s to %s", src, dest)
+		}
+		return tr
+	}
+
+	tr := newReversibleTransform("foo.*.*", "bar.$2.{{Wildcard(1)}}")
+	subject := "foo.b.a"
+	transformed := tr.TransformSubject(subject)
+	reverse := tr.reverse()
+	if reverse.TransformSubject(transformed) != subject {
+		t.Fatal("Reversed transform subject not matching")
+	}
+}
+
 func TestSubjectTransforms(t *testing.T) {
-	shouldErr := func(src, dest string) {
+	shouldErr := func(src, dest string, strict bool) {
 		t.Helper()
-		if _, err := NewSubjectTransform(src, dest); err != ErrBadSubject && !errors.Is(err, ErrInvalidMappingDestination) {
+		if _, err := NewSubjectTransformWithStrict(src, dest, strict); err != ErrBadSubject && !errors.Is(err, ErrInvalidMappingDestination) {
 			t.Fatalf("Did not get an error for src=%q and dest=%q", src, dest)
 		}
 	}
 
-	shouldErr("foo.*.*", "bar.$2") // Must place all pwcs.
-
 	// Must be valid subjects.
-	shouldErr("foo", "")
-	shouldErr("foo..", "bar")
+	shouldErr("foo", "", false)
+	shouldErr("foo..", "bar", false)
 
 	// Wildcards are allowed in src, but must be matched by token placements on the other side.
 	// e.g. foo.* -> bar.$1.
-	// Need to have as many pwcs as placements on other side.
-	shouldErr("foo.*", "bar.*")
-	shouldErr("foo.*", "bar.$2")                   // Bad pwc token identifier
-	shouldErr("foo.*", "bar.$1.>")                 // fwcs have to match.
-	shouldErr("foo.>", "bar.baz")                  // fwcs have to match.
-	shouldErr("foo.*.*", "bar.$2")                 // Must place all pwcs.
-	shouldErr("foo.*", "foo.$foo")                 // invalid $ value
-	shouldErr("foo.*", "foo.{{wildcard(2)}}")      // Mapping function being passed an out of range wildcard index
-	shouldErr("foo.*", "foo.{{unimplemented(1)}}") // Mapping trying to use an unknown mapping function
-	shouldErr("foo.*", "foo.{{partition(10)}}")    // Not enough arguments passed to the mapping function
-	shouldErr("foo.*", "foo.{{wildcard(foo)}}")    // Invalid argument passed to the mapping function
-	shouldErr("foo.*", "foo.{{wildcard()}}")       // Not enough arguments passed to the mapping function
-	shouldErr("foo.*", "foo.{{wildcard(1,2)}}")    // Too many arguments passed to the mapping function
-	shouldErr("foo.*", "foo.{{ wildcard5) }}")     // Bad mapping function
-	shouldErr("foo.*", "foo.{{splitLeft(2,2}}")    // arg out of range
+	// Need to have as many pwcs as placements on other side
 
-	shouldBeOK := func(src, dest string) *subjectTransform {
+	shouldErr("foo.*", "bar.*", false)
+	shouldErr("foo.*", "bar.$2", false)                   // Bad pwc token identifier
+	shouldErr("foo.*", "bar.$1.>", false)                 // fwcs have to match.
+	shouldErr("foo.>", "bar.baz", false)                  // fwcs have to match.
+	shouldErr("foo.*.*", "bar.$2", true)                  // Must place all pwcs.
+	shouldErr("foo.*", "foo.$foo", true)                  // invalid $ value
+	shouldErr("foo.*", "bar.{{Partition(2,1)}}", true)    // can only use Wildcard function (and old-style $x) in import transform
+	shouldErr("foo.*", "foo.{{wildcard(2)}}", false)      // Mapping function being passed an out of range wildcard index
+	shouldErr("foo.*", "foo.{{unimplemented(1)}}", false) // Mapping trying to use an unknown mapping function
+	shouldErr("foo.*", "foo.{{partition(10)}}", false)    // Not enough arguments passed to the mapping function
+	shouldErr("foo.*", "foo.{{wildcard(foo)}}", false)    // Invalid argument passed to the mapping function
+	shouldErr("foo.*", "foo.{{wildcard()}}", false)       // Not enough arguments passed to the mapping function
+	shouldErr("foo.*", "foo.{{wildcard(1,2)}}", false)    // Too many arguments passed to the mapping function
+	shouldErr("foo.*", "foo.{{ wildcard5) }}", false)     // Bad mapping function
+	shouldErr("foo.*", "foo.{{splitLeft(2,2}}", false)    // arg out of range
+
+	shouldBeOK := func(src, dest string, strict bool) *subjectTransform {
 		t.Helper()
-		tr, err := NewSubjectTransform(src, dest)
+		tr, err := NewSubjectTransformWithStrict(src, dest, strict)
 		if err != nil {
 			t.Fatalf("Got an error %v for src=%q and dest=%q", err, src, dest)
 		}
 		return tr
 	}
 
-	shouldBeOK("foo", "bar")
-	shouldBeOK("foo.*.bar.*.baz", "req.$2.$1")
-	shouldBeOK("baz.>", "mybaz.>")
-	shouldBeOK("*", "{{splitfromleft(1,1)}}")
-	shouldBeOK("", "prefix.>")
-	shouldBeOK("*.*", "{{partition(10,1,2)}}")
-	shouldBeOK("foo.*.*", "foo.{{wildcard(1)}}.{{wildcard(2)}}.{{partition(5,1,2)}}")
+	shouldBeOK("foo.*", "bar.{{Wildcard(1)}}", true)
+
+	shouldBeOK("foo.*.*", "bar.$2", false)              // don't have to use all pwcs.
+	shouldBeOK("foo.*.*", "bar.{{wildcard(1)}}", false) // don't have to use all pwcs.
+	shouldBeOK("foo", "bar", false)
+	shouldBeOK("foo.*.bar.*.baz", "req.$2.$1", false)
+	shouldBeOK("baz.>", "mybaz.>", false)
+	shouldBeOK("*", "{{splitfromleft(1,1)}}", false)
+	shouldBeOK("", "prefix.>", false)
+	shouldBeOK("*.*", "{{partition(10,1,2)}}", false)
+	shouldBeOK("foo.*.*", "foo.{{wildcard(1)}}.{{wildcard(2)}}.{{partition(5,1,2)}}", false)
 
 	shouldMatch := func(src, dest, sample, expected string) {
 		t.Helper()
-		tr := shouldBeOK(src, dest)
+		tr := shouldBeOK(src, dest, false)
 		s, err := tr.Match(sample)
 		if err != nil {
 			t.Fatalf("Got an error %v when expecting a match for %q to %q", err, sample, expected)
@@ -137,6 +186,7 @@ func TestSubjectTransforms(t *testing.T) {
 	shouldMatch("", "prefix.>", "foo", "prefix.foo")
 	shouldMatch("foo", "bar", "foo", "bar")
 	shouldMatch("foo.*.bar.*.baz", "req.$2.$1", "foo.A.bar.B.baz", "req.B.A")
+	shouldMatch("foo.*.bar.*.baz", "req.{{wildcard(2)}}.{{wildcard(1)}}", "foo.A.bar.B.baz", "req.B.A")
 	shouldMatch("baz.>", "my.pre.>", "baz.1.2.3", "my.pre.1.2.3")
 	shouldMatch("baz.>", "foo.bar.>", "baz.1.2.3", "foo.bar.1.2.3")
 	shouldMatch("*", "foo.bar.$1", "foo", "foo.bar.foo")
diff --git a/test/accounts_cycles_test.go b/test/accounts_cycles_test.go
index 00ff0059..7dab78c7 100644
--- a/test/accounts_cycles_test.go
+++ b/test/accounts_cycles_test.go
@@ -415,7 +415,7 @@ func TestAccountSubjectMapping(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
-// test token and partition subject mapping within an account
+// test token subject mapping within an account
 // Alice imports from Bob with subject mapping
 func TestAccountImportSubjectMapping(t *testing.T) {
 	conf := createConfFile(t, []byte(`
@@ -423,7 +423,7 @@ func TestAccountImportSubjectMapping(t *testing.T) {
 		accounts {
 		  A {
 			users: [{user: a,  pass: x}]
-			imports [ {stream: {account: B, subject: "foo.*.*"}, to : "foo.$1.{{wildcard(2)}}.{{partition(10,1,2)}}"}]
+			imports [ {stream: {account: B, subject: "foo.*.*"}, to : "foo.$1.{{wildcard(2)}}"}]
 		  }
 		  B {
 			users: [{user: b, pass x}]
@@ -442,30 +442,26 @@ func TestAccountImportSubjectMapping(t *testing.T) {
 	subjectsReceived := make(chan string)
 
 	msg := []byte("HELLO")
-	sub1, err := ncA.Subscribe("foo.*.*.*", func(m *nats.Msg) {
+	sub1, err := ncA.Subscribe("foo.*.*", func(m *nats.Msg) {
 		subjectsReceived <- m.Subject
 	})
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("Unexpected error: %v", err)
 	}
-	sub1.AutoUnsubscribe(numMessages * 2)
+	sub1.AutoUnsubscribe(numMessages)
 
 	ncB := clientConnectToServerWithUP(t, opts, "b", "x")
 	defer ncB.Close()
 
-	// publish numMessages with an increasing id (should map to partition numbers with the range of 10 partitions) - twice
-	for j := 0; j < 2; j++ {
-		for i := 0; i < numMessages; i++ {
-			err = ncB.Publish(fmt.Sprintf("foo.%d.%d", i, numMessages-i), msg)
-			if err != nil {
-				t.Fatalf("Unexpected error: %v", err)
-			}
+	// publish numMessages with an increasing id
+
+	for i := 0; i < numMessages; i++ {
+		err = ncB.Publish(fmt.Sprintf("foo.%d.%d", i, numMessages-i), msg)
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("Unexpected error: %v", err)
 		}
 	}
 
-	// verify all the partition numbers are in the expected range
-	partitionsReceived := make([]int, numMessages)
-
 	for i := 0; i < numMessages; i++ {
 		subject := <-subjectsReceived
 		sTokens := strings.Split(subject, ".")
@@ -474,25 +470,9 @@ func TestAccountImportSubjectMapping(t *testing.T) {
 		}
 		t1, _ := strconv.Atoi(sTokens[1])
 		t2, _ := strconv.Atoi(sTokens[2])
-		partitionsReceived[i], err = strconv.Atoi(sTokens[3])
-		if err != nil {
-			t.Fatalf("Unexpected error: %v", err)
-		}
 
-		if partitionsReceived[i] > 9 || partitionsReceived[i] < 0 || t1 != i || t2 != numMessages-i {
-			t.Fatalf("Error received unexpected %d.%d to partition %d", t1, t2, partitionsReceived[i])
-		}
-	}
-
-	// verify hashing is deterministic by checking it produces the same exact result twice
-	for i := 0; i < numMessages; i++ {
-		subject := <-subjectsReceived
-		partitionNumber, err := strconv.Atoi(strings.Split(subject, ".")[3])
-		if err != nil {
-			t.Fatalf("Unexpected error: %v", err)
-		}
-		if partitionsReceived[i] != partitionNumber {
-			t.Fatalf("Error: same id mapped to two different partitions")
+		if t1 != i || t2 != numMessages-i {
+			t.Fatalf("Error received unexpected %d.%d", t1, t2)
 		}
 	}
 }