VirtualBox can import virtual machines appliance that has been exported to the Open Virtualization Format both from a folder (ovf) or an archive file (ova). Open Virtualization Format is a standard format used by other virtualization platforms such as VMware and QEMU.

How to export VirtualBox Virtual Machine
How to move VirtualBox virtual machine image

Settings for the virtual machine can be re-configured during the import process, based on the previous settings from which the virtual machine was exported.

Steps to import VM appliance to VirtualBox:

  1. Launch VirtualBox.
  2. Click on Tools.
  3. Click on the Import button.
  4. Click on the folder icon to open a file select dialog.

  5. Select VM appliance with ova or ovf extension and click on Open.
  6. Click on the Continue button.
  7. Double click on the VM settings that you want to change.
  8. Set a new value to change.
  9. Change the location to import the VM to if required.

  10. Change change MAC address policy if required.
  11. Uncheck if you don't want to force the VM's disk to be converted to VirtualBox's VDI format.
  12. Click on Import to start importing the VM appliance to VirtualBox.