---
page_type: error
code: 30456
message: "30456: Toll Free verification rejection - Disallowed: SHAFT - Alcohol"
level: ERROR
product: Programmable Messaging
---

## Description

The Toll-Free phone number verification submission has been reviewed and it was rejected. Effective Jan 31st, 2024, messaging traffic on this Toll-Free number is blocked until it's verified.

Verification is one component of ensuring A2P SMS is used by businesses in a legal and compliant manner. The review process looks at the business sending messaging (not the software powering it), the use case, sample content, the web presence, the opt-in/consent collected and associated website terms and privacy policies.

### Possible Causes

The toll-free phone number cannot be verified because the submission indicated that the business is associated with or the toll-free verification submission indicated a forbidden messaging category (SHAFT: Alcohol).

Alcohol traffic is allowed on Toll Free, Short Code, and Long Code in the US, as long as proper age gating procedures are in place. Age gating means that website users must input their date of birth. It cannot be a yes or no question.

All age-gated content into Canada must be blocked across Toll Free, Short Code, and Long Code. The only way to send age-gated traffic into Canada (even with proper age-gating) is to receive a special carrier exemption. Allowed age gated content in Canada include: pocket knives, lighters, and non-alcoholic beverages.

### Possible Solutions

Add an Age Gate for your US business website. Resubmit the verification and provide proof in your opt-in workflow documentation that you have measures in place to ensure compliance.

[Forbidden Message Categories](https://support.twilio.com/hc/en-us/articles/360045004974-Forbidden-message-categories-for-SMS-and-MMS-in-the-US-and-Canada)

[Why was my Toll Free Verification Rejected?](https://support.twilio.com/hc/en-us/articles/9321443984155-Why-Was-My-Toll-Free-Verification-Rejected)

[Required information for Toll-free verification](https://support.twilio.com/hc/en-us/articles/13264118705051-Required-Information-for-Toll-Free-Verification)

[Toll-Free best practices](https://support.twilio.com/hc/en-us/articles/360038172934-Information-and-best-practices-for-using-Toll-Free-SMS-and-MMS-in-the-US-and-Canada)

[Twilio's Messaging Policy](https://www.twilio.com/en-us/legal/messaging-policy)