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Is import-fresh ESM-only? Can you require() it?

Import a module while bypassing the cache

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against import-fresh@4.0.0. JSON

ESM-only ESM-only since 4.0.0 — last CommonJS version is 3.3.1

import-fresh dropped its CommonJS build in 4.0.0 (February 2026). The last version you can require() on every Node.js version, including 18 and older, is 3.3.1, published Feb 2, 2025.

On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and every newer release, require("import-fresh") works anyway: Node can load synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node 22, 24, 26. Node.js 18 and older still fail with ERR_REQUIRE_ESM.

import-fresh@4.0.0 declares engines ">=22.15", so Node.js 18, 20 are outside its supported range regardless of module format.

Latest
4.0.0 (Feb 25, 2026)
Module format
ESM-only
Last CommonJS version
3.3.1
ESM-only since
4.0.0 (Feb 25, 2026)
TypeScript types
Bundled
Node engines
>=22.15
Weekly downloads
132.8M
License
MIT

Does import-fresh@4.0.0 actually load? Runtime test results

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

Runtimerequire("import-fresh")import "import-fresh"
Node.js 18✗ failsERR_REQUIRE_ESM✓ works
Node.js 20✓ works✓ works
Node.js 22✓ works✓ works
Node.js 24✓ works✓ works
Node.js 26✓ works✓ works
Bun 1.4✓ works✓ works

How to import import-fresh

ES modules (import)

import importFresh from "import-fresh";

CommonJS (require)

// Node.js 20.19+ / 22.12+ / newer (package has no top-level await):
const importFresh = require("import-fresh");

// Any Node.js version:
const importFresh = await import("import-fresh");

// Or pin the last CommonJS release:
// npm install import-fresh@3.3.1

Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (9 versions; the newest 9 shown).

VersionsFormatFirst published
4.0.0ESM-onlyFeb 25, 2026
2.0.0 – 3.3.1CommonJSMay 21, 2017

Frequently asked

Is import-fresh ESM-only?

import-fresh@4.0.0 is ESM-only. import-fresh dropped its CommonJS build in 4.0.0 (February 2026). The last version you can require() on every Node.js version, including 18 and older, is 3.3.1, published Feb 2, 2025.

Which version of import-fresh still supports CommonJS / require()?

3.3.1 is the last version of import-fresh with a CommonJS build. Install it with "npm install import-fresh@3.3.1". Every version from 4.0.0 on is ESM-only.

How do I use import-fresh from a CommonJS file?

Use a dynamic import: const mod = await import("import-fresh"). On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, a plain require("import-fresh") also works for ESM packages that do not use top-level await. Alternatively pin import-fresh@3.3.1.

Does import-fresh work in Bun?

Yes. import "import-fresh" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4 on Sep 9, 2026.

Does import-fresh ship TypeScript types?

Yes. import-fresh bundles its own type declarations; no @types package is needed.

Links

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