WhatsApp Business users could see their messages stop being delivered from October 1 if their accounts do not have a payment method on file. Meta is introducing per-message charges for service messages starting today, ending a period when these messages were not charged. As part of the change, Meta has warned Solution Providers and businesses using direct integrations that it will stop delivering service messages for accounts that have not added a payment method by September 30.In a blog post, the company wrote, “For any Solution Provider or directly-integrated businesses that does not have a payment method on file by September 30, 2026, Meta will stop delivering service messages as of when they become charged on October 1, 2026.” The change applies to non-template service messages sent in response to users within an open 24-hour customer service window.
Which WhatsApp Business accounts will be affected
The change applies to Solution Providers and businesses that directly integrate with the WhatsApp Business Platform. Businesses in these categories need to have a payment method associated with their messaging accounts by September 30 to avoid service-message delivery being stopped from October 1.Service messages are non-template messages powered by a customer service representative or a third-party AI solution. They are different from messages powered by Meta Business Agent, which became a separate category in July 2026.
Why is Meta charging for WhatsApp Business messages
Meta says it is introducing the changes as part of its H2 2026 pricing updates. Service messages will be charged per message starting October 1, and utility messages sent in response to users within an open 24-hour customer service window will also become chargeable that day.Service messages have not been charged since November 1, 2024, while the specific utility messages covered by the change have been free since July 1, 2025.
How will service messages be charged
Meta will charge for delivered service messages rather than simply messages sent by businesses. The charge will be calculated per message, with rates varying by market.The company says service-message rates will match its utility and authentication message rates in each market. There will also be no volume tiers for service messages.Businesses can send non-template messages only while a 24-hour customer service window is open. That window opens or resets whenever a user sends a message, meaning businesses cannot use these messages to initiate conversations with users.
What happens if a business does not add a payment method
Businesses without a payment method on file by September 30 risk having their service messages stop being delivered when the new charges take effect on October 1.Meta has therefore asked affected businesses to add a payment method for their messaging accounts before the deadline.The change is separate from Meta Business Agent pricing. Meta began charging for Business Agent messages on a token basis from August 1, with the charge covering AI processing and message delivery.
How WhatsApp Business charges will work from October 1
From October 1, a non-template message will fall into one of two categories: Service or Meta Business Agent. Service messages will be charged per message, while Meta Business Agent messages will use a separate token-based pricing model. Meta says only one charge applies to each message and the same message will not be charged under both categories.Meta’s example shows how the change can affect a customer conversation. An interaction that previously generated three charges can result in five charges from October 1, including charges for service and utility messages that were previously free.The free entry point window remains unchanged. Messages sent within that window after a user comes to WhatsApp through an ad that clicks to WhatsApp remain free for message delivery, although Meta Business Agent messages can still incur token charges.
