I have tried many different ways of importing the data with no luck. Usually it turned into a memory issue. This was irrespective of how I tried to import, whether it was in batches through a script, or using the built-in import functionality, or breaking the data into chunks prior to import, or anything else I tried. I occasionally keep trying to find a way, because I like the idea and features of DuckDB so much.
Of note, MonetDB slurped it right in without issue, but I would much rather use something not so "heavy" like DuckDB.
Also, regarding SQLite, I have DBs with billions of rows that work flawlessly, though not as fast as postgres.