Several apicomplexan parasites harbour an essential plastid known as the apicoplast. Apicoplasts import proteins and metabolites for several biological functions, but how import is achieved is largely unknown. Two recent reports have identified novel proteins in the apicoplast membranes, providing new perspectives on how proteins traffic to this organelle. The first report contributes to a newly recognized apicoplast-targeting pathway for membrane proteins, and the second identifies the first member of the protein-translocation complex in apicoplasts.