Premiere Pro can import some MKV files, but support depends on the codecs inside. H.264 video in MKV often works. H.265, VP9, or odd audio tracks frequently fail with a generic import error, and Adobe has never committed to full MKV support.
What actually works:
- Remux first. Run the MKV through FFmpeg with stream copy (`-c copy`) into an MP4 container. Takes seconds, no quality loss, and Premiere opens it happily. - Shutter Encoder does the same thing with buttons instead of a command line. Use the Rewrap function. - For H.265 MKV files that still stutter, transcode to ProRes or DNxHR proxies. Editing H.265 directly is painful even when it imports. Sources: FFmpeg, HandBrake Do not build a workflow around native MKV import in Premiere. Adobe could change behavior in any update. Convert on ingest, keep the originals archived, and never let a container format decide your deadline.