diff --git a/bluemira/codes/_freecadapi.py b/bluemira/codes/_freecadapi.py
index 22adb94c17..d8fd4d8085 100644
--- a/bluemira/codes/_freecadapi.py
+++ b/bluemira/codes/_freecadapi.py
@@ -19,10 +19,7 @@
 from functools import wraps
 from pathlib import Path
 from types import DynamicClassAttribute
-from typing import (
-    TYPE_CHECKING,
-    Protocol,
-)
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Protocol
 from unittest import mock
 
 import FreeCAD
@@ -1292,7 +1289,7 @@ def manual_mesh_formats(cls) -> tuple[CADFileType, ...]:
 
     @classmethod
     def not_importable_formats(cls) -> tuple[CADFileType, ...]:
-        return ()
+        return (cls.ADDITIVE_MANUFACTURING, cls.WEBGL, cls.JSON)
 
     @classmethod
     def mesh_import_formats(cls) -> tuple[CADFileType, ...]:
@@ -1348,7 +1345,7 @@ def FreeCADreader(filename, document, **kwargs):  # noqa: ARG001
                 FreeCAD.getDocument(document).mergeProject(filename)
 
             return FreeCADreader
-        if self in {self.ADDITIVE_MANUFACTURING, self.WEBGL, self.JSON}:
+        if self in self.not_importable_formats():
             raise NotImplementedError(f"{self.name} import not implemented in FreeCAD")
         modlist = self.import_module.split(".")
         msg = "Unable to import from {} please try through the main FreeCAD GUI"
diff --git a/bluemira/codes/_freecadconfig.py b/bluemira/codes/_freecadconfig.py
index 9f10df142e..71b89a3111 100644
--- a/bluemira/codes/_freecadconfig.py
+++ b/bluemira/codes/_freecadconfig.py
@@ -64,6 +64,11 @@ def _freecad_save_config(
     # Seems to have little effect on anything but its an option to set
     part_step_prefs.SetInt("Unit", _Unit[unit].value)
 
+    part_step_2_prefs = FreeCAD.ParamGet(
+        "User parameter:BaseApp/Preferences/Mod/Import/hSTEP"
+    )
+    part_step_2_prefs.SetBool("ReadShapeCompoundMode", False)  # noqa: FBT003
+
     part_iges_prefs = FreeCAD.ParamGet(
         "User parameter:BaseApp/Preferences/Mod/Part/IGES"
     )
@@ -79,3 +84,4 @@ def _freecad_save_config(
     import_prefs = FreeCAD.ParamGet("User parameter:BaseApp/Preferences/Mod/Import")
     import_prefs.SetInt("ImportMode", 0)
     import_prefs.SetBool("ExportLegacy", False)  # noqa: FBT003
+    import_prefs.SetBool("ExpandCompound", True)  # noqa: FBT003