What are Louis Vuitton Date Codes?
Around 1982, Louis Vuitton started using unique identifiers, called date codes, to help keep track of when and where each of their items were made. These codes are usually a combination of three or four numbers that represent the year and month in which the item was produced. The first two numbers always represent the year, while the last number(s) represent the month. For example, a "1912" date code on a Louis Vuitton bag would indicate that the bag was made in December 2019.
Do All Louis Vuitton Items Have Date Codes?
While date codes can be helpful in determining whether an item is authentic, there are some things to keep in mind. First, not all Louis Vuitton items have date codes. For instance, all leather goods made by Louis Vuitton after March 1st, 2021 have embedded RFID microchips instead of a date code patch. Instead of a physical leather patch of date code, every Louis Vuitton leather good is associated with a unique identifier, stored on a private blockchain. The blockchain can’t be altered by outsiders, and serves as a foolproof way of authentication. Second, some counterfeiters may try to fake date codes, so even if an item has a date code, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s real. However, if you’re able to find the date code and it passes other indications of authenticity, then you most likely have a genuine Louis Vuitton.
Do Louis Vuitton bags have serial numbers?
No, unlike other brands, Louis Vuitton does not use serial numbers. Louis Vuitton date codes consist of letters and numbers (or in the case of older bags, just numbers) that identify the date and location where the bag was manufactured. Hard-sided pieces such as trunks or structured suitcases, typically include date codes with more than four digits.
What do the letters in a Louis Vuitton date code mean?
If there are letters in the code, these correspond to the country in which that Louis Vuitton item was made. For example, "NO" indicates that an item was produced at Louis Vuitton’s factory in Noé, France while "SP" represents Saint-Paul, France. Other country codes include:
FE - France / MI - Italy / SD - Spain / LA - USA / CA - Canada / RC - City in France (most likely Rochefort) / FA - City in France (most likely Faverges) / DT - Germany
If you’re unsure about the country code, you can check Louis Vuitton’s website to find a list of their current production codes and what they correspond to.
How To Authenticate Your Louis Vuitton Bag Using The Date Code
Unfortunately, the presence of the code is not a guarantee that the bag is real since a lot of counterfeit items also have a (fake) date code. However, it is still an important factor and you should always check if the country code of the date code matches the “made-in” stamp inside the bag. If this is not the case, then the item is definitely fake.
Where can I find the date code on my Louis Vuitton bag?
The date code is usually stamped on a leather tag inside the bag or purse, near where the lining is sewn in. It can also be found on a care label inside the bag. If you’re having trouble finding the date code, consult a Louis Vuitton representative, as they will be able to help you.
Other ways to evaluate the authenticity of your Louis Vuitton
Check out the hardware / Evaluate the stitching / Look at the stamping
If you enjoyed this post, be sure to check out our other blog post on
How to Spot a Fake Louis Vuitton Bag. In it, we go over top tips for spotting a counterfeit Louis Vuitton bag and how you can verify authenticity before it’s too late.
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