The Complete Guide to Importing & Cleaning Your WhatsApp Contact List (E.164 Format)

Why E.164 Format Matters

Before launching a WhatsApp broadcast campaign, your contact list must be flawlessly formatted. Meta's API does not auto-correct local phone numbers. If you send messages to improperly formatted numbers, the API rejects them silently, which negatively impacts your Meta Quality Rating.

The global standard for WhatsApp API is E.164 format.

E.164 Format Rules

Every number must strictly adhere to this structure: +[country code][subscriber number]

• Must include the + prefix (some CRMs drop this, ensure your CSV exports correctly).
• Must include the country code.
• No spaces, dashes (-), or brackets (()).
• No leading zeros in the subscriber number (e.g., UK numbers drop the leading 0).
• Maximum of 15 digits.

Common Country Code Reference

• India: +91 (e.g., +919876543210)
• UAE: +971 (e.g., +971501234567)
• United States / Canada: +1 (e.g., +15551234567)
• United Kingdom: +44 (e.g., +447700900077)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

CSV Structure & Deduplication

When preparing your list, ensure your CSV file is saved with UTF-8 encoding to preserve special characters in names. At a minimum, you need a phone column. Optional columns like first_name or tags help with audience segmentation.

Deduplicate before importing: Sending duplicate messages wastes your API quota and annoys customers. Clean your list in Excel/Google Sheets first.

List Hygiene & GDPR Compliance

Never import purchased or "cold" lists. Meta strictly monitors user feedback; unsolicited broadcasts will result in immediate account suspension. Ensure every contact has explicitly opted-in (review our GDPR Compliance Guide).

Implement a quarterly hygiene routine: purge contacts that repeatedly bounce or have been inactive for over 90 days to maintain a pristine delivery rate.