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

> aws-sdk@2.1693.0 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

AWS SDK for JavaScript

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against aws-sdk@2.1693.0.

aws-sdk ships CommonJS only. require("aws-sdk") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >= 10.0.0. import "aws-sdk" 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:** The AWS SDK for JavaScript (v2) has reached end-of-support, and no longer receives updates. Please migrate your code to use AWS SDK for JavaScript (v3). More info https://a.co/cUPnyil

## What to do

1. require("aws-sdk") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >= 10.0.0.
2. From ES modules use the default import: import awsSdk from "aws-sdk"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.
4. This package is deprecated: The AWS SDK for JavaScript (v2) has reached end-of-support, and no longer receives updates. Please migrate your code to use AWS SDK for JavaScript (v3). More info https://a.co/cUPnyil

## Facts

- Latest: 2.1693.0 (Dec 9, 2025)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 2.1693.0
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: >= 10.0.0
- Weekly downloads: 8.0M
- License: Apache-2.0

## Runtime test results for aws-sdk@2.1693.0

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

| Runtime | require("aws-sdk") | import "aws-sdk" |
|---|---|---|
| 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

ES modules:

```js
import awsSdk from "aws-sdk";
```

CommonJS:

```js
const awsSdk = require("aws-sdk");
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (1936 versions; the newest 60 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 2.1634.0 – 2.1693.0 | CommonJS | Jun 4, 2024 |

## Frequently asked

**Is aws-sdk ESM-only?**

aws-sdk@2.1693.0 is a CommonJS package. aws-sdk ships CommonJS only. require("aws-sdk") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >= 10.0.0. import "aws-sdk" 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 with ES module syntax?**

Yes. import awsSdk from "aws-sdk" 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 work in Bun?**

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

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

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

## Links

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

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