Venezuela’s SUNDDE has formulated six mandatory implementing‑level rules for marketing‑type A2P SMS, covering unsubscribe mechanism, sending‑time control, frequency limits, blacklist synchronization, promotion filing and transaction‑message exemption. They serve as daily compliance operational standards for enterprises conducting marketing‑SMS services in Venezuela.
1. Unsubscribe mechanism. Every marketing SMS must include a standard Spanish PARA unsubscribe template at message end. Users cancel subscription by replying to designated keyword. Unsubscribe commands shall be free‑of‑charge and take effect immediately. Complex opt‑out workflows or extra user operations are prohibited.
2. Sending‑time control. Systems must implement a mandatory block toggle for marketing messages from 22:00 to 08:00 next day. All promotional SMS are automatically suspended overnight to avoid disturbing users’ rest. Pure transactional notifications are not subject to this time restriction.
3. Sending‑frequency cap. Back‑end systems shall enforce a hard limit of maximum 3 marketing SMS per phone number each week. A single end‑user may receive no more than three promotional messages weekly to prevent excessive outreach and complaints. Messages exceeding this threshold are automatically dropped by the system.
4. Unsubscribe blacklist synchronization. Upon user opt‑out, the number is added to a permanent blacklist, with enforcement synchronized across all Sender‑IDs and delivery channels. After opting‑out from Brand‑A messages, the same number shall not receive marketing traffic from Brand‑B or other campaigns of the same entity. Circumventing opt‑out by changing Sender‑ID is forbidden.
5. Written filing for promotional campaigns. All promotional content must be submitted in writing to SUNDDE for pre‑filing. SMS may only be delivered after obtaining official reference number. Promotional messages without prior filing shall be rejected.
6. Exemption for transaction‑only notifications. Pure transactional traffic (OTP codes, billing, logistics, system alerts etc.) qualifies for SUNDDE pre‑approval exemption only when all marketing‑related wording such as offers, discounts or giveaways is completely removed. If any promotional wording is embedded inside transaction‑style messages, the whole message is re‑classified as marketing SMS and subject to full marketing‑SMS compliance and approval procedures.
