Overview
All SMS and MMS messages sent to US phone numbers from unregistered 10DLC phone numbers will be fully blocked effective September 1st, 2023. 10DLC phone numbers must be fully registered to an approved Campaign under your Brand. This registration deadline took effect on July 5, 2023 with unregistered phone numbers subject to a gradual increase of message blocking by Twilio, leading to a full block of all unregistered U.S.-bound messages effective September 1st, 2023. This article outlines our recommended best practices for making sure you’re registered, and answers common questions on the upcoming changes. For full details of the A2P 10DLC registration process, see What is A2P 10DLC.
Product
Programmable Messaging
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do I need to register for A2P 10DLC?
All customers sending 10DLC messages that terminate to US numbers need to register their numbers. This registration process is specific to traffic sent to the United States, so customers using 10DLC numbers to message other countries can ignore this process.
Note: Customers sending messages to the US and Canada via Toll-Free numbers also need to register their use case, but with a different process. For full details, see Toll-Free Message Verification for US/Canada.
What is considered "U.S.-bound" traffic in the context of registration and filtering?
U.S. bound traffic is considered any outbound traffic to US, PR, VI, Guam, and American Samoa. Outbound traffic to Canada or any inbound / internal traffic received on A2P 10DLC senders will not be impacted by the filtering described above.
How do I know if I’ve already registered for A2P 10DLC?
You can check the A2P 10DLC registration status of your Twilio phone numbers via Console or our REST API. For full details, see How do I check that I have completed US A2P 10DLC registration.
How do I register for A2P 10DLC?
You can register through the Twilio console or API. For more information on the process and various registration options see: How do I register to use A2P 10DLC messaging?
For a full overview of the different Brand registration offerings, see Comparison between Starter, Low Volume Standard, and Standard registration for A2P 10DLC.
You can begin or resume the A2P 10DLC registration process in the console here.
What should I do after August 31 for new number provisioning?
Registered 10DLC, Short Code and Toll-Free phone numbers will be the only way to send messages to U.S. numbers through Twilio. Going forward, to send messages to U.S. numbers from a new 10DLC phone number, customers will need to complete A2P registration including associating an approved Campaign to a new or existing Messaging Service that contains their 10DLC phone numbers. If a customer attempts to send messages through any “unregistered” 10DLC (e.g. submitted but still pending approval), the message will be blocked with error code 30034 and Twilio messaging rates will apply.
When does Twilio expect that Brand and Campaign review times will no longer be delayed and return to normal turnaround times?
Brand and Campaign reviews take time and require 3rd party coordination with outside parties. Currently, the process takes at least 3 weeks or more due to higher than normal volume of requests. We expect volume to return to normal levels in late September when customers can expect reviews could take 2-3 weeks.
How do I get more time to register?
Twilio introduced 10DLC registration options in 2021 and communicated that July 5th was the deadline for registration. We are unable to extend the time frame any further; all registrations must be fully completed by August 31st, 2023 to avoid a full Twilio block on unregistered traffic.
I have submitted my Campaigns by August 31, why am I still getting blocked?
10DLC numbers must be fully registered to an approved campaign under your Brand in order to send messages to U.S. phone numbers. Submitting a campaign is only one step of several to complete registration. Ensure your numbers are ready to message US numbers by checking their registration status here.
I submitted my Campaign after August 31 - what happens now?
A2P 10DLC Campaign review currently takes at least 3 weeks due to higher than normal volume of requests. We are doing everything we can in coordination with our partners to unblock and streamline reviews to reduce processing times. Since we process requests in the order they’re received, you should ensure your registrations are submitted as soon as possible. Once your number is associated with an approved Campaign, you will be able to start sending messages to U.S. numbers.
What happens if I don’t register?
Unregistered numbers were subject to gradually beginning on July 5, 2023, ultimately leading to a full block of all unregistered US-bound messages sent after August 31, 2023. These messages will be blocked with a ‘30034’ error.
Note: Twilio messaging rates will still apply to blocked messages. The following fees will apply to unregistered messages that are not blocked with 30034:
- June 1, 2023: AT&T and T-Mobile will increase carrier fees for unregistered messages (review our A2P 10DLC Pricing article for details).
- August 1, 2023: 2nd increase for T-Mobile carrier fees for unregistered messages (review our A2P 10DLC Pricing article for details).
Why am I getting charged messaging fees for undelivered messages?
A2P 10DLC numbers can be used to send messages anywhere in the world. Since Twilio processes every message for destination and registration status, messaging rates for blocked messages still apply.
How do I prevent Twilio from blocking my unregistered traffic?
Submit your A2P 10DLC registration(s) as soon as possible to prevent blocking from affecting your delivery rates. There will not be a way to prevent the full block on unregistered traffic.
Note: ‘In Progress’ Campaign registrations will be included in the blocks; phone numbers must be fully registered to an approved Campaign under your Brand to avoid these blocks. Please keep in mind that Campaigns must be manually reviewed and approved before registration can be completed. A2P 10DLC registration currently takes at least 3 weeks due to higher than normal volume of requests. Campaign submissions initiated at this time will not be available before the August 31 2023 A2P registration deadline. We are working internally and with our industry partners to improve the vetting times. For the latest information on processing times, see our A2P 10DLC Campaign Vetting Changes guide.
My registration was rejected, and is ineligible for resubmission - What can I do?
If your request was rejected or is ineligible for A2P 10DLC registration, you may be able to use another Twilio product to reach your recipients.
The Twilio Sendgrid Email API is an option for many of the above use cases. For example, cannabis- or CBD-related messaging may be conducted via email, as long as you have proper age gating in place and are sending toward recipients in a locale where the substance is legal.
In addition, the Twilio Programmable Voice product is not subject to the same carrier restrictions as SMS.
For more information about cannabis-related messaging alternatives, see Can I send cannabis or CBD-related messaging traffic on Twilio.
What other options do I have to send messages to the US?
In addition to 10DLC numbers, Twilio offers other sender types including Toll-Free Numbers, Short Codes, and WhatsApp messaging along with the Twilio Verify API. For more details on our different messaging offerings and any restrictions that may apply to them, please see the following:
- US SMS Guidelines
- Toll-Free Numbers
- Short Code
- WhatsApp Business API
- Twilio Verify API (For sending One-Time Passcodes)
- Disallowed Content in the US and Canada
Where can I go to ask more questions about the A2P 10DLC registration process?
We have the following pre-recorded on-demand webinars and Q&As:
- For ISVs to help understand A2P 10DLC Regulations along with tips on how to register A2P Campaigns for your end customers: Level Up with Compliance: Understanding A2P 10DLC Regulations as an ISV
- For Developers: