Know Your Customer (KYC) for sending SMS to the United Kingdom
Over the past decade, carriers and regulators worldwide have been striving to create a more trusted and verified messaging ecosystem for businesses to engage with consumers and protect them from spam, fraud, and bad actors.
The global communications industry is taking steps to protect consumers by requiring businesses and organizations to submit their KYC information and become verified by local authorities before they can begin texting or calling their customers. Currently, not all countries require KYC information, but as the communications industry evolves, it is becoming more common.
Due to increased global regulatory efforts to combat smishing and spam, Ofcom, the UK regulator, has updated their Know Your Customer (KYC) guidelines. Beginning September 1, 2024, all new UK long code applications will require verified KYC. As of September 30, 2024, all existing UK long codes must have verified KYC information to be able to send SMS.
Submit the KYC information through AfterShip admin for approval.
Will there be any fees for UK KYC process?
No, there are no fees for UK KYC process.
Can I submit KYC info if my business is not registered in the UK?
Yes, your business can be anywhere in the world.
What happens to my SMS if I do not submit my KYC information?
Traffic sent on non-verified UK long codes will be blocked.
My RC bundle is rejected. What do I do?
KYC information can be rejected for a variety of reasons, but what’s important to consider when submitting KYC info is that the following conditions are met:
Documents are legible, clearly readable, unredacted and valid (not expired).
Documents have to reflect the current/updated details of the business.
Information field is provided meet the requirements listed in the above table.
Best practices for KYC information：
Documents are legible, clearly readable, unredacted and valid (not expired).
Documents have to reflect the current/updated details of the business.
The document has to contain the most updated/current information about the business
All fields should be filled out with the same information as displayed on the provided supporting documents.
How long does it take to complete the KYC info verification?
It generally takes around 1-7 days.
The global communications industry is taking steps to protect consumers by requiring businesses and organizations to submit their KYC information and become verified by local authorities before they can begin texting or calling their customers. Currently, not all countries require KYC information, but as the communications industry evolves, it is becoming more common.
KYC Requirements in the United Kingdom
Due to increased global regulatory efforts to combat smishing and spam, Ofcom, the UK regulator, has updated their Know Your Customer (KYC) guidelines. Beginning September 1, 2024, all new UK long code applications will require verified KYC. As of September 30, 2024, all existing UK long codes must have verified KYC information to be able to send SMS.
What do you need to do?
Submit the KYC information through AfterShip admin for approval.
| Information required | Requirements | Documentation required | Acceptable Documentation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Proof of Identity | Excerpt from the commercial register | |
| Company Registration Authority | Name of entity where your business is registered | Proof of Identity | Excerpt from the commercial register |
| Company Registration Number | Proof of Identity | Excerpt from the commercial register | |
| Company Website | No documentation required | ||
| Company Address | Must be a valid address. May be anywhere in the world | No documentation required | |
| Contact Name | Authorized representative’s name of the business | No documentation required | |
| Contact Phone Number | Authorized representative’s phone number of the business. This must be a valid mobile number only where the customer can be reached. This cannot be a number which you've acquired from a CPaaS provider. | No documentation required | |
| Contact Email | Authorized representative’s work email of the business | No documentation required |
Frequently Asked Questions
Will there be any fees for UK KYC process?
No, there are no fees for UK KYC process.
Can I submit KYC info if my business is not registered in the UK?
Yes, your business can be anywhere in the world.
What happens to my SMS if I do not submit my KYC information?
Traffic sent on non-verified UK long codes will be blocked.
My RC bundle is rejected. What do I do?
KYC information can be rejected for a variety of reasons, but what’s important to consider when submitting KYC info is that the following conditions are met:
Documents are legible, clearly readable, unredacted and valid (not expired).
Documents have to reflect the current/updated details of the business.
Information field is provided meet the requirements listed in the above table.
Best practices for KYC information：
Documents are legible, clearly readable, unredacted and valid (not expired).
Documents have to reflect the current/updated details of the business.
The document has to contain the most updated/current information about the business
All fields should be filled out with the same information as displayed on the provided supporting documents.
How long does it take to complete the KYC info verification?
It generally takes around 1-7 days.
Updated on: 29/08/2024
Thank you!