# Is @babel/polyfill ESM-only? Can you require() it?

> @babel/polyfill@7.12.1 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

Provides polyfills necessary for a full ES2015+ environment

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against @babel/polyfill@7.12.1.

@babel/polyfill ships CommonJS only. require("@babel/polyfill") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. import "@babel/polyfill" 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.

**Deprecated:** 🚨 This package has been deprecated in favor of separate inclusion of a polyfill and regenerator-runtime (when needed). See the @babel/polyfill docs (https://babeljs.io/docs/en/babel-polyfill) for more information.

## What to do

1. require("@babel/polyfill") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun.
2. From ES modules use the default import: import polyfill from "@babel/polyfill"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: no types are available for @babel/polyfill; declare the module yourself if you need them.
4. This package is deprecated: 🚨 This package has been deprecated in favor of separate inclusion of a polyfill and regenerator-runtime (when needed). See the @babel/polyfill docs (https://babeljs.io/docs/en/babel-polyfill) for more information.

## Facts

- Latest: 7.12.1 (Oct 15, 2020)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 7.12.1
- TypeScript types: none
- Node engines: not declared
- Weekly downloads: 1.6M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for @babel/polyfill@7.12.1

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

| Runtime | require("@babel/polyfill") | import "@babel/polyfill" |
|---|---|---|
| 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 @babel/polyfill

ES modules:

```js
import polyfill from "@babel/polyfill";
```

CommonJS:

```js
const polyfill = require("@babel/polyfill");
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (15 versions; the newest 15 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 7.0.0 – 7.12.1 | CommonJS | Aug 27, 2018 |

## Frequently asked

**Is @babel/polyfill ESM-only?**

@babel/polyfill@7.12.1 is a CommonJS package. @babel/polyfill ships CommonJS only. require("@babel/polyfill") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. import "@babel/polyfill" 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 @babel/polyfill with ES module syntax?**

Yes. import polyfill from "@babel/polyfill" 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 @babel/polyfill work in Bun?**

Yes. import "@babel/polyfill" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does @babel/polyfill ship TypeScript types?**

No. @babel/polyfill ships no type declarations and there is no @types package for it.

## Links

- [@babel/polyfill on npm](https://www.npmjs.com/package/@babel/polyfill)
- [Source repository](https://github.com/babel/babel)
- [HTML version](https://canirequire.com/package/@babel/polyfill/)
- [JSON version](https://canirequire.com/package/@babel/polyfill.json)

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