You can send SMS to any country via our gateway. Make sure you use the correct country code in the recipient's number format.
However, every country sets its own rules for what an SMS may look like in order to be delivered. What works without any issue in Germany can be blocked, altered or delivered more poorly in another country. These rules come from the mobile network operators and regulatory authorities of the destination country, not from seven.
This article explains the three factors you should be aware of: the sender type, pre-registration and content restrictions.
Sender types
The sender of an SMS (the "sender ID") can take two forms.
Alphanumeric sender ID
A name made up of letters and digits, for example seven or YourBrand. Advantage: the recipient immediately recognises who the message is from. Disadvantage: as a rule, the recipient cannot reply to an alphanumeric SMS.
Numeric sender ID
A phone number, either a long number (long code) or a short code. A recipient can reply to a numeric sender ID, provided it is a reply-capable number.
Which sender type is allowed?
Not every country permits every sender type:
- Some countries allow both forms (for example Germany).
- Some countries allow only alphanumeric senders.
- Some countries allow no alphanumeric senders and require a numeric number (for example the USA and Canada).
If you send a sender type that the destination country does not permit, the message is either blocked or the sender is replaced with a value assigned by the network operator. In both cases, your original sender ID does not reach the recipient.
Pre-registration
In a growing number of countries, alphanumeric sender IDs must be registered before the first dispatch. The network operator checks who is behind the sender name. Only after successful registration is traffic with this sender ID delivered.
Without pre-registration in a country that requires it, one of two things happens, depending on the network operator:
- The message is blocked.
- The sender is replaced with a warning notice, such as "Likely Scam".
Pre-registration needs lead time. Depending on the country, processing takes from a few days to several weeks, and one-off or recurring fees may apply. If you are planning a campaign to a country that requires registration, start the process early.
Content restrictions
Besides the sender, many countries also regulate what may be sent:
- Promotional content: in some countries, promotional SMS are only allowed within fixed time windows (for example on weekdays during the day) or must be labelled.
- Sensitive topics: gambling, adult content as well as political or religious content are filtered or banned entirely in some countries.
- Opt-in requirement: in many countries, verifiable consent from the recipient is a prerequisite for dispatch.
What happens in the event of a violation
If a message does not comply with the rules of the destination country, the network operator may block it, replace the sender or noticeably degrade delivery quality. For you, this means the SMS may be charged but does not reach the recipient, or not as intended. It is therefore worth checking the rules before sending.
Examples
The following countries show how widely the rules vary. These are examples for illustration, not a complete or permanently valid list:
- 🇩🇪 Germany: alphanumeric and numeric senders are allowed, pre-registration is not required.
- 🇫🇷 France: alphanumeric senders are permitted, but fixed dispatch time windows apply to promotional messages.
- 🇺🇸 USA and 🇨🇦 Canada: alphanumeric senders are not supported. A numeric number is required, which must be registered beforehand.
- 🇮🇳 India: dispatch requires mandatory registration of the sender and of message templates.
- 🇮🇪 Ireland: since 2025, alphanumeric senders must be registered. Unregistered senders are replaced or blocked.
These rules change continually. Do not rely permanently on individual examples; instead, check the current status for your destination country before each campaign.
How to proceed
- Before sending, clarify which sender type is permitted in the destination country.
- Check whether the destination country requires pre-registration, and start it early.
- Make sure the content and dispatch time comply with local requirements.
To find out which rules currently apply to your destination country, contact our support team at support@seven.io.
This article does not replace individual legal advice. Responsibility for complying with the applicable local regulations lies with the sender.