# Is @aws-sdk/types ESM-only? Can you require() it?

> @aws-sdk/types@3.974.5 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

Types for the AWS SDK

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against @aws-sdk/types@3.974.5.

@aws-sdk/types ships CommonJS only. require("@aws-sdk/types") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=20.0.0. import "@aws-sdk/types" also works because Node.js and Bun can import CommonJS from ES modules, but only the default export is guaranteed; named imports depend on Node's static analysis of the module.

It also declares a "module" field, so bundlers such as webpack, Vite and esbuild pick up an ESM build for tree-shaking.

## What to do

1. require("@aws-sdk/types") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=20.0.0.
2. From ES modules use the default import: import types from "@aws-sdk/types"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.

## Facts

- Latest: 3.974.5 (Aug 21, 2026)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 3.974.5
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: >=20.0.0
- Weekly downloads: 86.4M
- License: Apache-2.0

## Runtime test results for @aws-sdk/types@3.974.5

Installed and executed on Sep 9, 2026 with require("@aws-sdk/types") from a CommonJS file and import "@aws-sdk/types" from an ES module.

| Runtime | require("@aws-sdk/types") | import "@aws-sdk/types" |
|---|---|---|
| Node.js 18 | works | works |
| Node.js 20 | works | works |
| Node.js 22 | works | works |
| Node.js 24 | works | works |
| Node.js 26 | works | works |
| Bun 1.4.0 | works | works |

## How to import @aws-sdk/types

ES modules:

```js
import types from "@aws-sdk/types";
```

CommonJS:

```js
const types = require("@aws-sdk/types");
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (172 versions; the newest 60 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 3.609.0 – 3.974.5 | CommonJS | Jul 2, 2024 |

## Frequently asked

**Is @aws-sdk/types ESM-only?**

@aws-sdk/types@3.974.5 is a CommonJS package. @aws-sdk/types ships CommonJS only. require("@aws-sdk/types") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=20.0.0. import "@aws-sdk/types" also works because Node.js and Bun can import CommonJS from ES modules, but only the default export is guaranteed; named imports depend on Node's static analysis of the module.

**Can I import @aws-sdk/types with ES module syntax?**

Yes. import types from "@aws-sdk/types" works in Node.js and Bun because they support importing CommonJS modules. Named imports work only when Node.js can statically detect the exports.

**Does @aws-sdk/types work in Bun?**

Yes. import "@aws-sdk/types" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does @aws-sdk/types ship TypeScript types?**

Yes. @aws-sdk/types bundles its own type declarations; no @types package is needed.

## Links

- [@aws-sdk/types on npm](https://www.npmjs.com/package/@aws-sdk/types)
- [Source repository](https://github.com/aws/aws-sdk-js-v3)
- [HTML version](https://canirequire.com/package/@aws-sdk/types/)
- [JSON version](https://canirequire.com/package/@aws-sdk/types.json)

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