Steps to reproduce:

1. Export multiple templates using the same application
2. Import templates to fresh Zabbix server
3. The error occurs

Result:

The message:

"Import failed
 * Item "name of the item" on "name of the template": application "name of the application" does not exist.
"
appears.

Expected:

The templates should have been imported to the new Zabbix server. The templates are exported into an .xml file which I checked for any possible reasons for the error. Each template is exported into the respective tag, however, templates using an application don't all have the <applications> tag defining the applications used in their items and triggers. In my case, only the topmost template had this tag defining the application "Services".

It seems, the server is expecting this tag for every template individually, thus causing the error, even though the application had been defined in a previous template in the import file.