ESM imports from NODE_PATH are not available when using Lambda's Node Runtime 14 and 16.

[RanVaknin]

There is a lack of ES Modules support in Lambda Node 14 and 16, it affects all dependencies, not just the AWS SDK.
This is a limitation of Lambda, and is unrelated to the SDK and it is documented.

... by default Node.js does not search the folders in the NODE_PATH environment variable when importing ES modules. This makes it difficult to import ES modules from folders outside of the /var/task/ folder in which the function code is deployed. For example, to load the AWS SDK included in the runtime as an ES module, or to load ES modules from Lambda layers.

The Node.js 18.x runtime for Lambda searches the folders listed in NODE_PATH when loading ES modules. This makes it easier to include the AWS SDK as an ES module or load ES modules from Lambda layers.

There are currently 3 workarounds:

• Use the Lambda Node 18 runtime and switch to JS SDK v3. The Node 18 runtime bundles the JS SDK v3 rather than v2, and does support importing ES modules from NODE_PATH. For more information, see Node.js 18.x runtime now available in AWS Lambda.

☝️ This is the recommended workaround.
We are formalizing our plans to make the Maintenance Announcement (Phase 2) for AWS SDK for JavaScript v2 in 2023. For more info refer to our Maintenance Policy.
Additinally, Node 14 is already not in LTS, and Node 16 is scheduled for end of LTS during 2023.

• With the Lambda Node 14 or Node 16 runtimes, you can deploy your own copy of the SDK v2 instead of using the SDK bundled with the runtime. This can be done by bundling the application, or providing the SDK in Lambda layer, or uploading your node_modules. By doing so, this places the SDK in a supported path, and you will then be able to import the SDK as an ES module.

• Create a symlink to get the included SDK from the opt folder in Lambda. I have tested this solution myself, and verified that it's working.
  (not recommended)

[RanVaknin]

Create a symlink to get the included SDK from the opt folder in Lambda. I have tested this solution myself, and verified that it's working.
(not recommended)

The example in the repo is well written but the concrete example is with CDK. If anyone wants an example using the SDK and CLI upvote this comment and I'll add an in-depth explanation on how to do that.

Thanks,
Ran~