diff --git a/boto3/utils.py b/boto3/utils.py
index 27561adc90..e645741fb9 100644
--- a/boto3/utils.py
+++ b/boto3/utils.py
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@
 # language governing permissions and limitations under the License.
 import sys
 from collections import namedtuple
+from importlib import import_module
 
 _ServiceContext = namedtuple(
     'ServiceContext',
@@ -47,16 +48,6 @@ class ServiceContext(_ServiceContext):
     pass
 
 
-def import_module(name):
-    """Import module given a name.
-
-    Does not support relative imports.
-
-    """
-    __import__(name)
-    return sys.modules[name]
-
-
 def lazy_call(full_name, **kwargs):
     parent_kwargs = kwargs