> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.ycloud.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# WhatsApp billing rules

<Warning>
  All WhatsApp Business accounts operate on a per-message billing model. The following message types will now be charged individually once delivered:

  • Marketing template messages

  • Authentication template messages

  • Utility template messages sent outside the service window
</Warning>

## Pricing details

YCloud charges are based on the recipient country and message type. WhatsApp classifies template messages into 5 categories as below.

<table><thead><tr><th width="251.7109375">Category</th><th>Explaination</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Marketing</td><td>Sending marketing template messages</td></tr><tr><td>Utility</td><td>Sending utility template messages</td></tr><tr><td>Authentication</td><td>Sending authentication template messages</td></tr><tr><td>International-Authentication</td><td><p>Companies identified by Meta as eligible for the Authentication-International rate will be charged this rate when initiating authentication template messages to countries where the Authentication-International rate applies. </p><p><a href="/en/documentation/pricing-and-billing/billing-rule#international-authentication-pricing">Detailed Explanation</a></p></td></tr><tr><td>Service</td><td>Sending free-form messages</td></tr></tbody></table>

You can view the full pricing here:

🔗 [https://www.ycloud.com/pricing](https://www.ycloud.com/pricing)

⚠️The new pricing will be updated on July 1. You may also contact your account manager to get the new rates.

## WhatsApp Messaging Rules

When there is no service window between you and your customers, you can only send template messages to them. The 3 template types are:

• Marketing

• Utility

• Authentication

<Info>
  Templates must be approved by Meta, and the final template type may be adjusted by Meta depending on [content compliance](https://developers.facebook.com/docs/whatsapp/updates-to-pricing/new-template-guidelines/#template-categorization). The final template type and recipient country determine the actual cost of the message.
</Info>

**What Is a Service Window?**

A 24-hour customer service window is triggered when a user sends a message to your WhatsApp Business Account. The window is automatically extended if the customer sends another message.

• During this service window, you can send free-form messages and template messages.

• Utility template messages and free-form messages are free within the window.

• Marketing and Authentication template messages are still charged.

## International Authentication Pricing

Meta applies International-authentication pricing to the following countries:

India, Indonesia, Egypt, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, UAE.

**Qualification Criteria**

You’ll be classified as an “international business” if:

• You send more than 750,000 authentication conversations in any 30-day period (180 days for India),&#x20;

and

• The messages are sent to users in eligible countries listed above.

**Once eligible:**

• You’ll receive an email confirmation from Meta.

• Meta will try to determine your primary business location based on public information.

• After 30 days, Authentication template messages sent to other eligible countries outside your primary business location will be charged at the International-authentication rate.

<Warning>
  &#x20;Note: This status is permanent once confirmed.
</Warning>

*Example:*

*If your business is determined to be based in Indonesia, **Authentication template** messages sent to Indonesian users will be charged as usual, but sent to India will be billed at the international rate.*<br />

## Free Entry Points

If a customer clicks a [Facebook Ad](https://www.facebook.com/business/help/447934475640650/) or a [CTA button on your Facebook Page](https://www.facebook.com/help/977869848936797) and sends a message using Android or iOS, a 72-hour free messaging window is triggered. Within this window, all messages (both templates and free-form messages) are **free**.

Note: Whether you can send free-form messages still depends on the service window.

Also important:

• Only the first click per user per ad triggers the free entry point.

• If the user clicks the same ad again, the second click will not re-open a new free entry point.

## Watch the full introduction video👇

[Open linked resource](https://youtu.be/NZt8uU8OGNc)


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