iPad Safari Won’t Import MacBook Safari Bookmarks

I just purchased a new iPad Air. I created a Safari HTML bookmark export file from my MacBook with Safari Version 17.6. The iPad Safari does not import the MacBook Safari bookmarks. I receive an error pop-up “Import Failed. Safari could not find data to import in “Safari Bookmarks” (the file name). I can open the HTML file and view the bookmarks, so I know the bookmarks are there. I’ve tried importing from flash drive and from a file on the iPad, all give the same error. I’ve updated the iPad software and turned off/on the iPad. No luck with importing. What suggestions do you have? Thank you.