Compliance · Panama
SMS Compliance in Panama
A practical overview of the rules that affect SMS messaging and marketing in Panama, with a checklist before you launch.
Key Rules for SMS in Panama
Marketing messages in Panama should rely on consent under Law 81 of 2019 on personal data protection and offer an easy opt-out.
In North America, business texting is shaped by carrier rules as well as law: in the US, application-to-person messaging on standard numbers generally requires brand and campaign registration (10DLC), and the TCPA requires appropriate consent. Other countries in the Americas have their own consumer protection and data laws.
Data Protection
Law 81 of 2019 and its regulations are supervised by the National Authority for Transparency and Access to Information (ANTAI).
Keep a record of how each contact was collected, what they agreed to and when, and make it easy for them to withdraw consent.
Practical Checklist
- Collect and record consent (or confirm an existing customer relationship) before sending, with the date and source.
- Use a registered sender ID or number that recipients can recognise as your business.
- Identify your business in every message and keep promotional and service messages separate.
- Give a simple way to opt out of marketing and process opt-outs quickly across all your systems.
- Send in the recipient's local daytime hours and keep frequency reasonable.
Contact data
Format numbers in international E.164 format with the +507 country code, remove duplicates and invalid numbers, and keep consent records linked to each number.
Timing and Language
Panama follows the America/Panama time zone (UTC-05:00 in October 2026). The usual working week is Monday to Friday. Schedule SMS campaigns for the recipient's local daytime hours, avoid public holidays and religious observances that matter to your audience, and convert send times from IST before scheduling.
In Panama City, customers commonly use Spanish, with English. Messages in the customer's preferred language usually perform better, but check how local-language text affects character counts (for SMS) and template approval (for WhatsApp).
Digital Habits and Channels in Panama
Panama has high mobile use, and WhatsApp is the main channel for customer communication. Law 81 of 2019 on personal data protection requires consent.
Panama uses the US dollar alongside the balboa, and Yappy is a popular mobile payment app. Carnival, the November patriotic holidays and Christmas are key periods, and many businesses serve international clients linked to the canal and logistics.
Panama's economy is built on services: the Panama Canal, the Colón Free Zone, international banking, logistics and Copa Airlines' hub at Tocumen airport, which connects the Americas. The US dollar circulates alongside the balboa, so prices are in dollars. The sales tax (ITBMS) is 7%. Law 81 of 2019 on personal data protection came into force in 2021 and requires consent for marketing. Many regional headquarters of multinational companies are based in Panama City.
Regulators, Registers and Practical Rules in Panama
Panama's telecoms regulator is ASEP (Autoridad Nacional de los Servicios Públicos), and Law 81 of 2019 on personal data protection, with its regulations from 2021, is supervised by ANTAI. The law requires consent for processing, allows people to object to marketing and sets rules for international transfers. Consumer protection is handled by ACODECO. Más Móvil, Tigo and Claro are the main mobile operators.
Spanish is used for most messaging, with English useful for the international business community, the Canal sector and tourism. The US dollar circulates alongside the balboa, so prices are usually shown in dollars. Yappy and bank transfers are common for payments. Carnival and the November national holidays are busy periods, and many offices slow down during them.
General guidance, not legal advice. Check current rules with the regulator or a local adviser before launch.
Advertising Alongside Messaging
Advertising must follow consumer protection law administered by ACODECO.
This guide is general information, not legal advice, and reflects our understanding as of October 2026. Rules change, so we check current requirements for Panama before every launch.
Planning SMS campaigns for Panama?
We check the rules, set up sender requirements and run compliant campaigns.
SMS in Panama: FAQs
Do I need consent to send marketing SMS messages in Panama?
In most cases, yes, or at least an existing customer relationship and a clear opt-out. Marketing messages in Panama should rely on consent under Law 81 of 2019 on personal data protection and offer an easy opt-out.
Do I need a registered sender ID for Panama?
Sender ID rules vary by country and operator. Some countries require pre-registration of alphanumeric sender IDs, others only allow numeric senders. We confirm the current requirement before launch.
Can DND Teams run SMS campaigns to Panama?
Yes. We are based in Bhopal, India, and run campaigns for international markets remotely, after checking the current rules, sender requirements and coverage for Panama.
Is this legal advice?
No. This guide is general information to help you plan. Regulations change and their application depends on your business, so take local legal advice for significant campaigns.
Related Guides and Services
Other channels in Panama
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