diff --git a/HISTORY.md b/HISTORY.md
index f3a1a34..945608c 100644
--- a/HISTORY.md
+++ b/HISTORY.md
@@ -12,6 +12,9 @@
 
 - Formats can now be dynamically registered through the
   `tablib.formats.registry.refister` API (#256).
+- Tablib methods expecting data input (`detect_format`, `import_set`,
+  `Dataset.load`, `Databook.load`) now accepts file-like objects in addition
+  to raw strings and bytestrings (#440).
 
 ### Bugfixes
 
diff --git a/docs/tutorial.rst b/docs/tutorial.rst
index 6226aef..23f4828 100644
--- a/docs/tutorial.rst
+++ b/docs/tutorial.rst
@@ -106,7 +106,8 @@ Importing Data
 --------------
 Creating a :class:`tablib.Dataset` object by importing a pre-existing file is simple. ::
 
-   imported_data = Dataset().load(open('data.csv').read())
+    with open('data.csv', 'r') as fh:
+        imported_data = Dataset().load(fh)
 
 This detects what sort of data is being passed in, and uses an appropriate formatter to do the import. So you can import from a variety of different file types.
 
@@ -114,7 +115,8 @@ This detects what sort of data is being passed in, and uses an appropriate forma
 
     When the format is :class:`csv <Dataset.csv>`, :class:`tsv <Dataset.tsv>`, :class:`dbf <Dataset.dbf>`, :class:`xls <Dataset.xls>` or :class:`xlsx <Dataset.xlsx>`, and the data source does not have headers, the import should be done as follows ::
 
-    imported_data = Dataset().load(open('data.csv').read(), headers=False)
+    with open('data.csv', 'r') as fh:
+        imported_data = Dataset().load(fh, headers=False)
 
 --------------
 Exporting Data
@@ -320,7 +322,8 @@ Open an Excel Workbook and read first sheet
 Open an Excel 2007 and later workbook with a single sheet (or a workbook with multiple sheets but you just want the first sheet). ::
 
     data = tablib.Dataset()
-    data.xlsx = open('my_excel_file.xlsx', 'rb').read()
+    with open('my_excel_file.xlsx', 'rb') as fh:
+        data.load(fh, 'xlsx')
     print(data)
 
 Excel Workbook With Multiple Sheets
diff --git a/src/tablib/core.py b/src/tablib/core.py
index 9eaeb61..ef3c26e 100644
--- a/src/tablib/core.py
+++ b/src/tablib/core.py
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ from tablib.exceptions import (
     UnsupportedFormat,
 )
 from tablib.formats import registry
+from tablib.utils import normalize_input
 
 __title__ = 'tablib'
 __author__ = 'Kenneth Reitz'
@@ -239,8 +240,9 @@ class Dataset:
     def _get_in_format(self, fmt_key, **kwargs):
         return registry.get_format(fmt_key).export_set(self, **kwargs)
 
-    def _set_in_format(self, fmt_key, *args, **kwargs):
-        return registry.get_format(fmt_key).import_set(self, *args, **kwargs)
+    def _set_in_format(self, fmt_key, in_stream, **kwargs):
+        in_stream = normalize_input(in_stream)
+        return registry.get_format(fmt_key).import_set(self, in_stream, **kwargs)
 
     def _validate(self, row=None, col=None, safety=False):
         """Assures size of every row in dataset is of proper proportions."""
@@ -402,12 +404,14 @@ class Dataset:
     def load(self, in_stream, format=None, **kwargs):
         """
         Import `in_stream` to the :class:`Dataset` object using the `format`.
+        `in_stream` can be a file-like object, a string, or a bytestring.
 
         :param \\*\\*kwargs: (optional) custom configuration to the format `import_set`.
         """
 
+        stream = normalize_input(in_stream)
         if not format:
-            format = detect_format(in_stream)
+            format = detect_format(stream)
 
         fmt = registry.get_format(format)
         if not hasattr(fmt, 'import_set'):
@@ -416,7 +420,7 @@ class Dataset:
         if not import_set:
             raise UnsupportedFormat('Format {} cannot be imported.'.format(format))
 
-        fmt.import_set(self, in_stream, **kwargs)
+        fmt.import_set(self, stream, **kwargs)
         return self
 
     def export(self, format, **kwargs):
@@ -861,18 +865,20 @@ class Databook:
     def load(self, in_stream, format, **kwargs):
         """
         Import `in_stream` to the :class:`Databook` object using the `format`.
+        `in_stream` can be a file-like object, a string, or a bytestring.
 
         :param \\*\\*kwargs: (optional) custom configuration to the format `import_book`.
         """
 
+        stream = normalize_input(in_stream)
         if not format:
-            format = detect_format(in_stream)
+            format = detect_format(stream)
 
         fmt = registry.get_format(format)
         if not hasattr(fmt, 'import_book'):
             raise UnsupportedFormat('Format {} cannot be loaded.'.format(format))
 
-        fmt.import_book(self, in_stream, **kwargs)
+        fmt.import_book(self, stream, **kwargs)
         return self
 
     def export(self, format, **kwargs):
@@ -889,25 +895,32 @@ class Databook:
 
 
 def detect_format(stream):
-    """Return format name of given stream."""
+    """Return format name of given stream (file-like object, string, or bytestring)."""
+    stream = normalize_input(stream)
+    fmt_title = None
     for fmt in registry.formats():
         try:
             if fmt.detect(stream):
-                return fmt.title
+                fmt_title = fmt.title
+                break
         except AttributeError:
             pass
+        finally:
+            if hasattr(stream, 'seek'):
+                stream.seek(0)
+    return fmt_title
 
 
 def import_set(stream, format=None, **kwargs):
-    """Return dataset of given stream."""
+    """Return dataset of given stream (file-like object, string, or bytestring)."""
 
-    return Dataset().load(stream, format, **kwargs)
+    return Dataset().load(normalize_input(stream), format, **kwargs)
 
 
 def import_book(stream, format=None, **kwargs):
-    """Return dataset of given stream."""
+    """Return dataset of given stream (file-like object, string, or bytestring)."""
 
-    return Databook().load(stream, format, **kwargs)
+    return Databook().load(normalize_input(stream), format, **kwargs)
 
 
 registry.register_builtins()
diff --git a/src/tablib/formats/__init__.py b/src/tablib/formats/__init__.py
index 1b5b0d6..848e665 100644
--- a/src/tablib/formats/__init__.py
+++ b/src/tablib/formats/__init__.py
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ from importlib import import_module
 from importlib.util import find_spec
 
 from tablib.exceptions import UnsupportedFormat
+from tablib.utils import normalize_input
 
 from ._csv import CSVFormat
 from ._json import JSONFormat
@@ -52,7 +53,7 @@ class ImportExportBookDescriptor(FormatDescriptorBase):
 
     def __set__(self, obj, val):
         self.ensure_format_loaded()
-        return self._format.import_book(obj, val)
+        return self._format.import_book(obj, normalize_input(val))
 
 
 class ImportExportSetDescriptor(FormatDescriptorBase):
@@ -62,7 +63,7 @@ class ImportExportSetDescriptor(FormatDescriptorBase):
 
     def __set__(self, obj, val):
         self.ensure_format_loaded()
-        return self._format.import_set(obj, val)
+        return self._format.import_set(obj, normalize_input(val))
 
 
 class Registry:
diff --git a/src/tablib/formats/_csv.py b/src/tablib/formats/_csv.py
index cb209fc..14d7bb2 100644
--- a/src/tablib/formats/_csv.py
+++ b/src/tablib/formats/_csv.py
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ class CSVFormat:
 
         kwargs.setdefault('delimiter', cls.DEFAULT_DELIMITER)
 
-        rows = csv.reader(StringIO(in_stream), **kwargs)
+        rows = csv.reader(in_stream, **kwargs)
         for i, row in enumerate(rows):
 
             if (i == 0) and (headers):
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ class CSVFormat:
     def detect(cls, stream, delimiter=None):
         """Returns True if given stream is valid CSV."""
         try:
-            csv.Sniffer().sniff(stream[:1024], delimiters=delimiter or cls.DEFAULT_DELIMITER)
+            csv.Sniffer().sniff(stream.read(1024), delimiters=delimiter or cls.DEFAULT_DELIMITER)
             return True
         except Exception:
             return False
diff --git a/src/tablib/formats/_dbf.py b/src/tablib/formats/_dbf.py
index 4ff1604..7898cbd 100644
--- a/src/tablib/formats/_dbf.py
+++ b/src/tablib/formats/_dbf.py
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ class DBFFormat:
         """Returns a dataset from a DBF stream."""
 
         dset.wipe()
-        _dbf = dbf.Dbf(io.BytesIO(in_stream))
+        _dbf = dbf.Dbf(in_stream)
         dset.headers = _dbf.fieldNames
         for record in range(_dbf.recordCount):
             row = [_dbf[record][f] for f in _dbf.fieldNames]
@@ -59,11 +59,8 @@ class DBFFormat:
     @classmethod
     def detect(cls, stream):
         """Returns True if the given stream is valid DBF"""
-        #_dbf = dbf.Table(StringIO(stream))
         try:
-            if type(stream) is not bytes:
-                stream = bytes(stream, 'utf-8')
-            _dbf = dbf.Dbf(io.BytesIO(stream), readOnly=True)
+            _dbf = dbf.Dbf(stream, readOnly=True)
             return True
         except Exception:
             return False
diff --git a/src/tablib/formats/_df.py b/src/tablib/formats/_df.py
index b4cfa11..d8bf877 100644
--- a/src/tablib/formats/_df.py
+++ b/src/tablib/formats/_df.py
@@ -16,8 +16,10 @@ class DataFrameFormat:
         """Returns True if given stream is a DataFrame."""
         if DataFrame is None:
             return False
+        elif isinstance(stream, DataFrame):
+            return True
         try:
-            DataFrame(stream)
+            DataFrame(stream.read())
             return True
         except ValueError:
             return False
diff --git a/src/tablib/formats/_json.py b/src/tablib/formats/_json.py
index 99e2aaf..dd8c379 100644
--- a/src/tablib/formats/_json.py
+++ b/src/tablib/formats/_json.py
@@ -35,14 +35,14 @@ class JSONFormat:
         """Returns dataset from JSON stream."""
 
         dset.wipe()
-        dset.dict = json.loads(in_stream)
+        dset.dict = json.load(in_stream)
 
     @classmethod
     def import_book(cls, dbook, in_stream):
         """Returns databook from JSON stream."""
 
         dbook.wipe()
-        for sheet in json.loads(in_stream):
+        for sheet in json.load(in_stream):
             data = tablib.Dataset()
             data.title = sheet['title']
             data.dict = sheet['data']
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ class JSONFormat:
     def detect(cls, stream):
         """Returns True if given stream is valid JSON."""
         try:
-            json.loads(stream)
+            json.load(stream)
             return True
         except (TypeError, ValueError):
             return False
diff --git a/src/tablib/formats/_xls.py b/src/tablib/formats/_xls.py
index fd39b46..0b13d27 100644
--- a/src/tablib/formats/_xls.py
+++ b/src/tablib/formats/_xls.py
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ class XLSFormat:
 
         dset.wipe()
 
-        xls_book = xlrd.open_workbook(file_contents=in_stream)
+        xls_book = xlrd.open_workbook(file_contents=in_stream.read())
         sheet = xls_book.sheet_by_index(0)
 
         dset.title = sheet.name
diff --git a/src/tablib/formats/_xlsx.py b/src/tablib/formats/_xlsx.py
index cc0a610..d7416b3 100644
--- a/src/tablib/formats/_xlsx.py
+++ b/src/tablib/formats/_xlsx.py
@@ -18,9 +18,6 @@ class XLSXFormat:
     @classmethod
     def detect(cls, stream):
         """Returns True if given stream is a readable excel file."""
-        if isinstance(stream, bytes):
-            # load_workbook expects a file-like object.
-            stream = BytesIO(stream)
         try:
             openpyxl.reader.excel.load_workbook(stream, read_only=True)
             return True
@@ -63,7 +60,7 @@ class XLSXFormat:
 
         dset.wipe()
 
-        xls_book = openpyxl.reader.excel.load_workbook(BytesIO(in_stream), read_only=True)
+        xls_book = openpyxl.reader.excel.load_workbook(in_stream, read_only=True)
         sheet = xls_book.active
 
         dset.title = sheet.title
@@ -81,7 +78,7 @@ class XLSXFormat:
 
         dbook.wipe()
 
-        xls_book = openpyxl.reader.excel.load_workbook(BytesIO(in_stream), read_only=True)
+        xls_book = openpyxl.reader.excel.load_workbook(in_stream, read_only=True)
 
         for sheet in xls_book.worksheets:
             data = tablib.Dataset()
diff --git a/src/tablib/utils.py b/src/tablib/utils.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..39de8ce
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/tablib/utils.py
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+from io import BytesIO, StringIO
+
+
+def normalize_input(stream):
+    """
+    Accept either a str/bytes stream or a file-like object and always return a
+    file-like object.
+    """
+    if isinstance(stream, str):
+        return StringIO(stream)
+    elif isinstance(stream, bytes):
+        return BytesIO(stream)
+    return stream
diff --git a/tests/files/founders.xlsx b/tests/files/founders.xlsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bd6e41e
Binary files /dev/null and b/tests/files/founders.xlsx differ
diff --git a/tests/test_tablib.py b/tests/test_tablib.py
index 91df57f..e71105e 100755
--- a/tests/test_tablib.py
+++ b/tests/test_tablib.py
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ import json
 import pickle
 import unittest
 from collections import OrderedDict
+from io import BytesIO, StringIO
 from pathlib import Path
 from uuid import uuid4
 
@@ -302,6 +303,18 @@ class TablibTestCase(BaseTestCase):
         with self.assertRaises(UnsupportedFormat):
             book.export('csv')
 
+    def test_book_import_from_file(self):
+        xlsx_source = Path(__file__).parent / 'files' / 'founders.xlsx'
+        with open(str(xlsx_source), mode='rb') as fh:
+            book = tablib.Databook().load(fh, 'xlsx')
+        self.assertEqual(eval(book.json)[0]['title'], 'Feuille1')
+
+    def test_dataset_import_from_file(self):
+        xlsx_source = Path(__file__).parent / 'files' / 'founders.xlsx'
+        with open(str(xlsx_source), mode='rb') as fh:
+            dset = tablib.Dataset().load(fh, 'xlsx')
+        self.assertEqual(eval(dset.json)[0]['last_name'], 'Adams')
+
     def test_auto_format_detect(self):
         """Test auto format detection."""
         # html, jira, latex, rst are export only.
@@ -330,7 +343,9 @@ class TablibTestCase(BaseTestCase):
         _tsv = '1\t2\t3\n4\t5\t6\n7\t8\t9\n'
         self.assertEqual(tablib.detect_format(_tsv), 'tsv')
 
-        _bunk = '¡¡¡¡¡¡---///\n\n\n¡¡£™∞¢£§∞§¶•¶ª∞¶•ªº••ª–º§•†•§º¶•†¥ª–º•§ƒø¥¨©πƒø†ˆ¥ç©¨√øˆ¥≈†ƒ¥ç©ø¨çˆ¥ƒçø¶'
+        _bunk = StringIO(
+            '¡¡¡¡¡¡---///\n\n\n¡¡£™∞¢£§∞§¶•¶ª∞¶•ªº••ª–º§•†•§º¶•†¥ª–º•§ƒø¥¨©πƒø†ˆ¥ç©¨√øˆ¥≈†ƒ¥ç©ø¨çˆ¥ƒçø¶'
+        )
         self.assertEqual(tablib.detect_format(_bunk), None)
 
     def test_transpose(self):
@@ -692,12 +707,12 @@ class CSVTests(BaseTestCase):
     def test_csv_format_detect(self):
         """Test CSV format detection."""
 
-        _csv = (
+        _csv = StringIO(
             '1,2,3\n'
             '4,5,6\n'
             '7,8,9\n'
         )
-        _bunk = (
+        _bunk = StringIO(
             '¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡£™∞¢£§∞§¶•¶ª∞¶•ªº••ª–º§•†•§º¶•†¥ª–º•§ƒø¥¨©πƒø†ˆ¥ç©¨√øˆ¥≈†ƒ¥ç©ø¨çˆ¥ƒçø¶'
         )
 
@@ -915,12 +930,12 @@ class TSVTests(BaseTestCase):
     def test_tsv_format_detect(self):
         """Test TSV format detection."""
 
-        _tsv = (
+        _tsv = StringIO(
             '1\t2\t3\n'
             '4\t5\t6\n'
             '7\t8\t9\n'
         )
-        _bunk = (
+        _bunk = StringIO(
             '¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡£™∞¢£§∞§¶•¶ª∞¶•ªº••ª–º§•†•§º¶•†¥ª–º•§ƒø¥¨©πƒø†ˆ¥ç©¨√øˆ¥≈†ƒ¥ç©ø¨çˆ¥ƒçø¶'
         )
 
@@ -999,8 +1014,8 @@ class JSONTests(BaseTestCase):
     def test_json_format_detect(self):
         """Test JSON format detection."""
 
-        _json = '[{"last_name": "Adams","age": 90,"first_name": "John"}]'
-        _bunk = (
+        _json = StringIO('[{"last_name": "Adams","age": 90,"first_name": "John"}]')
+        _bunk = StringIO(
             '¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡£™∞¢£§∞§¶•¶ª∞¶•ªº••ª–º§•†•§º¶•†¥ª–º•§ƒø¥¨©πƒø†ˆ¥ç©¨√øˆ¥≈†ƒ¥ç©ø¨çˆ¥ƒçø¶'
         )
 
@@ -1251,6 +1266,7 @@ class DBFTests(BaseTestCase):
         _dbf += b' Jefferson' + (b' ' * 70)
         _dbf += b' 50.0000000'
         _dbf += b'\x1a'
+        _dbf = BytesIO(_dbf)
 
         _yaml = '- {age: 90, first_name: John, last_name: Adams}'
         _tsv = 'foo\tbar'