Sending SMS to the USA? What Kiwi and Aussie Businesses Need to Know About 10DLC

Topics:   Explainers SMS – 04 Jul, 2025

Sending SMS to the USA? What Kiwi and Aussie Businesses Need to Know About 10DLC

In the world of business communications, deliverability is everything. Whether you're sending a critical alert, an appointment reminder, or a marketing message, you need to be certain it will reach its destination. For businesses in New Zealand and Australia sending SMS to customers in the United States, a new standard has emerged that is crucial for ensuring that certainty: 10DLC.

Navigating international compliance can be complex, but it doesn’t have to be a barrier to your growth. This post will break down what 10DLC is, why it matters, and how the TNZ platform makes it simple to stay compliant and maintain high deliverability.

What is 10DLC for US Business SMS?

10DLC stands for "10-Digit Long Code." It is the new, officially sanctioned system for Application-to-Person (A2P) messaging in the United States.

In simple terms, it's a standard US-format phone number (like 555-123-4567) that has been officially registered for business use.

Previously, businesses used standard long codes for SMS, but these were often subject to filtering by US mobile carriers trying to combat a rising tide of spam. This meant legitimate, important business messages could be blocked without warning.

US carriers created the 10DLC system to solve this problem. By requiring businesses to register their brand and their specific messaging campaigns (e.g. appointment reminders, marketing alerts), carriers can verify the sender's identity and intent. The result is a trusted pathway for business SMS, leading to significantly higher deliverability and customer trust.

One Platform for Global, Compliant Messaging

Managing international regulations shouldn't require juggling multiple systems or complex technical hurdles. At TNZ, we’ve integrated the 10DLC registration and sending process directly into our unified platform, giving you total control over your US-bound communications from the same place you manage your local messaging.

How TNZ Streamlines 10DLC for You:

  • One Dashboard, One API: Whether you use our intuitive web dashboard or our powerful REST API, your US messaging is managed seamlessly alongside your SMS, Email, and Voice channels for New Zealand and Australia. There’s no need for a separate provider or a different workflow.

  • We Handle the Registration: The 10DLC process involves registering your business "Brand" and your specific "Campaigns" with US authorities. This can be a daunting process, so we manage it for you. We gather the required information and handle the submission to ensure it’s done right.

  • Send from Your Dedicated Number: Once registered, your account is set up to send all US-bound SMS from your dedicated, compliant 10DLC number. This ensures your messages are recognised by US carriers as legitimate traffic, protecting your sender reputation and maximising delivery rates.

This approach is ideal for any use case, whether you are a:

  • Developer: Integrate once with our REST API to send reliable, compliant SMS to the US, NZ, and AU without worrying about the underlying regulatory complexity.

  • Marketer: Use our dashboard or integrations with platforms like HubSpot and Zapier to send campaigns with confidence, knowing your messages will get through.

  • Operations Team: Send critical alerts and notifications with the assurance of a sanctioned, high-deliverability channel.

Why TNZ? Transparent Pricing and Expert Support

Complying with 10DLC is a strategic investment in the reliability of your communications. It protects your brand and ensures your messages are delivered. We believe in making this process straightforward and predictable.

Our 10DLC Pricing Structure:

  • One-time Setup Fee: A one-off charge of $50 (NZD) to manage the Brand and initial Campaign registration process on your behalf.

  • Monthly Number Fee: A flat rate of $50 (NZD) per month for your dedicated 10DLC number and ongoing campaign management.

This transparent pricing ensures there are no surprises. You get a fully compliant, high-throughput channel to the United States, backed by our local, expert support.

While other providers may offer complex pricing tiers, our focus is on providing a simple, powerful solution. With TNZ, you have a trusted local partner who understands the intricacies of global telecommunications and provides the tools to give you total control.

Get Started with 10DLC Today

The move to 10DLC is a positive step forward for business messaging, creating a more secure and reliable ecosystem for everyone. It means better deliverability for businesses and fewer unwanted messages for consumers.

If you are sending SMS to the United States (or plan to) now is the time to get compliant.

Ready to secure your dedicated 10DLC number? Contact our expert team today and we'll handle the rest, getting you set up on the one platform for all your mission-critical communications.

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