In the United States, business SMS cannot use alphanumeric sender IDs: it goes through registered 10DLC local numbers, verified toll-free numbers, or short codes. As of 2026, 10DLC registration means a registered brand and campaign with The Campaign Registry, and toll-free numbers must pass toll-free verification; unregistered or unverified traffic is blocked by the major carriers.
The three US sender options
| Option | Number | Registration | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10DLC | Standard 10-digit local number | Brand and campaign with The Campaign Registry (TCR) | Most business messaging, local presence, low to medium volume |
| Toll-free | 8XX number (800, 833, 844, 855, 866, 877, 888) | Toll-free verification | National brands, customer care, OTP, quick start |
| Short code | 5 or 6 digits | Lease plus carrier program approval | High volume and keyword campaigns |
Short codes are covered in SMS short codes explained, and the general sender types in SMS sender ID types.
How 10DLC registration works
- Brand registration: your provider registers your company with TCR using its legal name, tax ID (EIN for US companies, or an equivalent for foreign companies), address, website and contact. The brand is vetted and receives a trust score.
- Campaign registration: each use case is registered as a campaign, for example two-factor authentication, account notifications, customer care, marketing or mixed. You describe how users opt in, provide sample messages, and confirm opt-out (STOP) and help (HELP) handling.
- Carrier review: campaigns are reviewed before the carriers accept traffic. Missing privacy policy or opt-in details on your website is a common reason for rejection.
- Number assignment: each 10DLC number is linked to an approved campaign. Messages must match that campaign's use case.
Costs include brand registration and vetting fees, a recurring campaign fee, and per-message carrier fees that differ by carrier. They are set by TCR and the carriers and change from time to time, so check current figures with your provider.
Throughput on 10DLC
10DLC limits are set by the carriers, not by your SMPP connection. The brand's trust score and the campaign type decide the allowed rate: AT&T applies limits per campaign, while T-Mobile applies a daily message cap per brand, shared across campaigns registered under the same tax ID. Low-trust brands and sole proprietor registrations get very low limits. If your account allows 100 TPS but your campaign allows less, the carrier limit wins. See SMPP binds and TPS.
How toll-free verification works
A toll-free number must be verified before it can send SMS to US mobile networks. Unverified numbers are blocked, and numbers with a pending verification are restricted or blocked depending on the provider. The submission includes:
- Business name, address, website and contact details
- Use case and expected monthly volume
- How recipients opt in, with proof such as a screenshot or form link
- Sample messages
- Since January 1, 2026, a business registration number (such as an EIN), its issuing country and the legal entity type are required on new submissions
Some use cases are not accepted at all, for example certain debt and credit repair programs. Approval times vary from days to a few weeks.
Content and consent
All US A2P programs must have clear opt-in consent, honour STOP immediately and answer HELP. Content in the categories carriers restrict (sex, hate, alcohol, firearms and tobacco, often called SHAFT) is limited or needs age gating, and some sectors such as cannabis are not accepted. US consent law (the TCPA) applies on top of carrier rules. More in SMS content restrictions.
Which one to choose
- OTP and alerts for a national app: toll-free is often the fastest to set up; 10DLC under a 2FA campaign also works.
- Local business conversations: 10DLC, because recipients see a local area code and can reply.
- Large marketing programs: short code, or several 10DLC campaigns if throughput is enough.
Whatever you choose, register before you send: unregistered traffic is not a cheaper alternative, it is blocked. For OTP details see OTP SMS best practices, and for fraud protection on sign-up forms see SMS pumping.
Getting US SMS routes
VoIPMatcher sources A2P SMS routes for the United States from its carriers. Tell us whether you use 10DLC, toll-free or short codes and your volume, and request a US SMS route.
Frequently asked questions
What is 10DLC?
10DLC stands for 10-digit long code: a standard US local phone number registered for business (A2P) messaging. To send on it, a business registers its brand and each use case as a campaign with The Campaign Registry, and the carriers then accept traffic within limits set by the brand's trust score and campaign type.
How long does 10DLC registration take?
Brand registration is usually quick, while carrier review of a campaign can take from a few days to a few weeks, and longer if it is rejected and resubmitted. A missing privacy policy or unclear opt-in details on your website are common reasons for delay. Register before you plan to send, because unregistered traffic is blocked.
How much does 10DLC cost?
Costs come in three parts: brand registration and vetting fees, a recurring fee per campaign, and per message carrier fees that differ by carrier. The Campaign Registry and the carriers set these amounts and change them from time to time, so ask your provider for the current figures before budgeting.
Can foreign companies register for 10DLC?
Yes. A foreign company can register a 10DLC brand with a tax ID or equivalent business registration number from its own country instead of a US EIN. The same campaign rules apply: a described use case, opt-in proof, sample messages and STOP and HELP handling. Vetting and throughput depend on the brand's trust score.
Is 10DLC required for business SMS in the US?
For business messages from standard local numbers, yes. As of 2026, A2P traffic on unregistered 10DLC numbers is blocked by the major carriers. The alternatives are verified toll-free numbers or short codes, which have their own approval processes. Unregistered traffic is not a cheaper option, it simply does not get delivered.
Need a route?
Send the destination, route type and target rate. We reply with what we can deliver.