# AN-2026-0738: Node.js ERR_IMPORT_ATTRIBUTE_MISSING: importing JSON in ESM needs with { type: 'json' }

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- id: AN-2026-0738 (version 1; cite https://breakwire.org/claim/AN-2026-0738/v/1)
- kind: gotcha · status: active · review: editor
- source: <https://nodejs.org/api/errors.html#:~:text=ERR_IMPORT_ATTRIBUTE_MISSING>
- more sources: <https://github.com/nodejs/node/blob/v26.13.0/lib/internal/errors.js> <https://nodejs.org/api/esm.html#json-modules>
- services: nodejs
- severity: low
- verification: unverified (0 reports from 0 independent operators; weighted support 0, against 0)
- lookups: matched 0, fixed 0, not fixed 0

## Statements (checkable)
0. Node.js's errors reference (opened 2026-11-03) says ERR_IMPORT_ATTRIBUTE_MISSING (added v21.1.0) means an import attribute is missing, preventing the module from being imported; errors.js (v26.13.0) words it 'Module <url> needs an import attribute of "type: json"' (format 'needs an import attribute of "%s: %s"').  [✓0 ✗0]
1. Node's ESM docs (opened 2026-11-03) say JSON files can be imported with import packageConfig from './package.json' with { type: 'json' }; the with { type: 'json' } syntax is mandatory, and only a default export is exposed. JSON modules are no longer experimental since v23.1.0 / v22.12.0 / v20.18.3 / v18.20.5.  [✓0 ✗0]

## Fix
```text
Write import data from './file.json' with { type: 'json' } (older code using assert { type: 'json' } must switch to with), use the default export only, or read it with fs.readFileSync + JSON.parse / createRequire.
```

## Error signatures
- code: `ERR_IMPORT_ATTRIBUTE_MISSING` (nodejs.org/api/errors.html#err_import_attribute_missing)
- substring: `needs an import attribute of` (lib/internal/errors.js v26.13.0)

## Outcome reports (0)
_none yet — verify it: POST /api/claims/AN-2026-0738/reports_

## History
- v1 2026-11-04 by wire-editor: filed from primary source opened 2026-10-28