You can send Two-Way SMS and MMS messages in Canada with a registered number using a registered 10-digit long code (10DLC), toll-free number (TFN), or short code.
Available Sender IDs
You can choose from a few Sender ID options when sending to Canada.
Registration and fees may apply.
Not sure which one to choose?
See our Sender ID guide or contact support — we're happy to help.
10-Digit Long Code (10DLC)
Send from a trusted, local number. Your messages will always come from a consistent Sender ID, which is perfect for establishing trust and recognition. 10DLCs are suitable for low to medium message volumes.
Purchase a dedicated number via our Dashboard by going to:
Sender IDs ➔ Buy a Number
10DLC registration usually takes 1-3 business days and costs do apply.
Registration requirements
A clear use case for your messaging campaign (e.g. appointment reminders, customer service, promotions)
Sample message content, including opt-out instructions
A compliant privacy policy and terms of service
Proof of opt-in or a detailed description of the opt-in process
Brand and company information (e.g. name, address, website)
Expected message volume and sending frequency
A Canadian Tax ID (e.g. SIN for individuals).
Toll-Free Number (TFN)
Toll-Free Numbers are 10-digit numbers (e.g. 888, 800, 877 prefixes) that support two-way messaging. Your messages will always come from a consistent Sender ID, which is perfect for establishing trust and recognition. TFNs are suitable for low to medium message volumes.
Purchase a dedicated number via our Dashboard by going to:
Sender IDs ➔ Buy a Number
TFN registration usually takes 1-7 business days and costs do apply.
Registration requirements
A clear use case for your messaging campaign (e.g. alerts, promotions)
Sample message content, including opt-out instructions
Proof of opt-in or a detailed description of the opt-in process
Brand and company information (e.g. name, address, website)
Expected message volume and sending frequency
Short Code
Short codes are 5-6 digits long and offer superior throughput — ideal if you plan to send a high volume of messages.
To purchase a short code, please contact support.
Short Code registration usually takes 8–12 weeks, and costs do apply.
Registration requirements
Your ClickSend account manager will contact you to guide you through the highly regulated short code application process. To complete registration, you’ll need to provide detailed information, including:
A clear use case for your messaging campaign (e.g. marketing, 2FA, customer alerts)
Sample message content that includes opt-out instructions
A compliant privacy policy and terms of service
Opt-in proof or a detailed description of the opt-in process
Brand and company information (e.g. name, address, website)
Expected message volume and frequency
Rules and best practices
You cannot use your own number or an alpha tag (e.g. “MyCompany”) due to network restrictions
A direct carrier connection is required — ClickSend provides a high-quality direct route to ensure delivery
Ensure recipients have opted in before sending
No commercial URL shorteners such as Bit.ly or TinyURL — use ClickSend’s built-in URL shortener instead
Always include a clear opt-out instruction such as Reply STOP to opt out
Content guidelines
Before sending SMS to Canada, please review our Sending Guidelines to understand prohibited message types. Additionally, you must adhere to the specific local regulations outlined below:
CATEGORY | EXAMPLES | NOTES |
High-risk financial services |
| "Third-party" refers to any entity other than the one providing the loan.
First party loan content is acceptable in the US if it is not promotional messaging, unless it is on an approved Short Code.
Businesses that solely operate in stocks, investing, or cryptocurrency are only permitted to send SMS messages related to two-factor authentication (2FA). |
Lead Generation |
| Any third-party use cases are strictly forbidden. Consent must be obtained directly from end-users.
Any business with a terms of service or privacy policy that mentions sharing or selling consumer data/opt-in information is considered noncompliant. |
3rd Party Debt Forgiveness |
| “Third-party" means originating from any party other than the one which will service the loan.
For example, a hospital could send messages regarding bills for its own patients, assuming they provided opt-in to receive that messaging.
While third party debt collection is not permitted, a debt collection business that has direct consent from end-users (first party) to send related content may do so.
Debt consolidation, debt reduction and credit repair programs are prohibited regardless of if there is first-party consent. |
“Get Rich Quick” Schemes |
| Use cases in this category involve minimal effort for substantial and/or assured financial gains. Such cases often lead to high consumer complaints in the telecom industry and are therefore not allowed on carrier routes. |
Job Postings |
| Third party job boards are disallowed. |
Illegal Substances |
| Businesses dealing with Cannabis, CBD, Kratom, or drug paraphernalia are prohibited from using SMS/MMS messaging on ClicksSend in the US and Canada.
You cannot send messages about any illegal substance, regardless of its legal status in your country or state. |
Prescription drugs |
|
If it requires a prescription or cannot be purchased over the counter, the messages cannot be sent on TFN.
10DLC messages cannot include the prescription drug name of any of the allowed drugs. Terms such as filler, injection, and weight loss meds are acceptable.
10DLC content cannot include GLP-1, GLP-1 compounds, weight loss drug marketing messages.
Messaging involving hormone/testosterone and enhancement drugs are prohibited in the US and Canada on all number types (TFN, SC, 10DLC). |
Gambling & Raffles |
| Gambling traffic is prohibited in the US and Canada on all number types (TFN, SC, 10DLC).
Raffle campaigns are also prohibited on all number types as the carriers see this as gambling - unless the raffles meet strict nonprofit criteria.
Bingo related messages are allowed on an approved short code and 10DLC in the US (per carrier discretion)
Community or local based Bingo related messaging are also permissible in the US (per carrier discretion). |
S.H.A.F.T. (see below) |
|
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SEX |
| Not allowed |
Hate speech or profanity |
| Not allowed |
Alcohol | Only through carrier approval and “age gating” | In the US, alcohol-related messaging is permitted on all number types provided that proper age verification procedures are implemented.
Age verification must require users to enter their full date of birth, rather than simply answering yes or no.
In Canada, age-restricted content is prohibited across all number types. |
Firearms | Only through carrier approval and “age gating” | Messaging related to firearms, is not allowed on any number type regardless of age verification.
Messaging related to firearm "parts" is acceptable on 10DLC in the US.
Firearm content is not acceptable in Canada. |
Tobacco | Only through carrier approval and “age gating” | In the US, tobacco and vape-related messaging is permitted on 10DLC and SC - only with proper age verification.
Age verification must require users to enter their full date of birth, rather than simply answering yes or no.
In Canada, age-restricted content is prohibited across on all number types. |
Charitable Donations & Political Organizations |
| Charitable donation campaigns can be registered as Donation Campaigns on all number types in the US.
Requesting money (“text to donate”) from user's audience directly is not permitted on SC.
Charitable donation campaigns are not allowed in Canada. |
Agents, Franchises, Local Branches, & Restaurants | Brands that have multiple agents, franchises, offices, restaurants, etc. in the same brand vertical, but require individual localized numbers per agent/location/office. | Franchises/businesses with a separate EIN should register as a separate brand. This can be done on all number types.
For real estate companies that operate offices at multiple locations with multiple real estate agents where each real estate agent has their own number and manages their own text communication - consider 10DLC messaging.
For restaurants with same name in different locations, if messaging is tailored to each location, separating Toll Free numbers and 10dlcs for each location is suggested. |
Fraud, Scam, Phishing |
| Not allowed |
CASL (Canada’s Anti‑Spam Legislation) is the federal law governing SMS/text messaging compliance in Canada. CRTC (Canadian Radio‑television and Telecommunications Commission) is the main body responsible for enforcing SMS and text‑message compliance under CASL. It investigates non‑compliant SMS campaigns, issues penalties and compliance orders, and monitors spam, unsolicited texts, and improper opt‑in practices.
Note: ClickSend works closely with the regulators mentioned above, and provides guidance based on audit feedback, registration outcomes, and carrier requirements. Our goal is to help you get approved and remain compliant.
However, carriers have the final say on all approvals and may have additional requirements that are not publicly documented.