Jest: Cannot use import statement outside a module - import

Question

I got an error when I run test using Jest, I tried to fix this error for 2 hours. But, I couldn't fix it. My module is using gapi-script package and error is occurred in this package. However, I don't know why this is occurred and how to fix it.
jest.config.js
module.exports = {
"collectCoverage": true,
"rootDir": "./",
"testRegex": "__tests__/.+\\.test\\.js",
"transform": {
'^.+\\.js?$': "babel-jest"
},
"moduleFileExtensions": ["js"],
"moduleDirectories": [
"node_modules",
"lib"
]
}
babel.config.js
module.exports = {
presets: [
'#babel/preset-env',
]
};
methods.test.js
import methods, { typeToActions } from '../lib/methods';
methods.js
import { gapi } from "gapi-script";
...
Error Message
C:\haram\github\react-youtube-data-api\node_modules\gapi-script\index.js:1
({"Object.":function(module,exports,require,__dirname,__filename,global,jest){import
{ gapi, gapiComplete } from './gapiScript';
SyntaxError: Cannot use import statement outside a module
What is wrong with my setting?

Answer 1

As of this writing, Jest is in the process of providing support for ES6 modules. You can track the progress here:
https://jestjs.io/docs/en/ecmascript-modules
For now, you can eliminate this error by running this command:
node --experimental-vm-modules node_modules/.bin/jest
instead of simply:
jest
Be sure to check the link before using this solution.

Answer 2

I solved this with the help of Paulo Coghi's answer to another question -
Does Jest support ES6 import/export?
Step 1:
Add your test environment to .babelrc in the root of your project:
{
"env": {
"test": {
"plugins": ["#babel/plugin-transform-modules-commonjs"]
}
}
}
Step 2:
Install the ECMAScript 6 transform plugin:
npm install --save-dev #babel/plugin-transform-modules-commonjs

Answer 3

Jest needs babel to work with modules.
For the testing alone, you do not need jest.config.js, just name the testfiles xxx.spec.js or xxx.test.js or put the files in a folder named test.
I use this babel.config.js:
module.exports = function (api) {
api.cache(true)
const presets = [
"#babel/preset-env"
]
return {
presets
}
}
Adding "type": "module" in package.json or using mjs as stated in other answers is not necessary when your setup is not too complicated.

Answer 4

I have also faced the same issue and this was resolved by adding following command-line option as a environment variable.
export NODE_OPTIONS=--experimental-vm-modules npx jest //linux
setx NODE_OPTIONS "--experimental-vm-modules npx jest" //windows

Answer 5

Upgrading Jest (package.json) to version 29 (latest as of now) solved this problem for me.