How do I check a Louis Vuitton handbag serial number?
Louis Vuitton Date Code
First, the bad news: Unlike brands such as Chanel, a Louis Vuitton handbag is sold without an authenticity card or a serial number. From the early 1980s until March 2021, Louis Vuitton used date codes, which are embossed or printed on a leather tab sewn into the lining of the bags and most accessories. These date codes are not intended for authenticity verification, but merely serve to identify the date and location where the bag was manufactured.
Even if the date code looks correct, super fakes are becoming increasingly difficult to spot. If you want to be absolutely sure you're not buying a fake, we recommend purchasing from certified retailers.
View authenticated Louis Vuitton bagsAn example of a date code is shown in the following image:
With the exception of older models manufactured before the 1980s, date codes can be found on all Louis Vuitton handbags and other accessories such as sunglasses. If authentic Louis Vuitton handbags do not have date codes, the reasons are essentially as follows:
- Date code has faded.
- The lining has been cleaned or replaced.
- The bag was manufactured before 1980.
- The bag was manufactured after March 2021 (microchip in the bag).
Louis Vuitton Datacode Checker
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Louis Vuitton Handbag Microchips
Since March 1, 2021, Louis Vuitton has stopped using date codes and has instead introduced microchips. This is intended to limit counterfeiting in the market and help identify bags for repairs. The microchips are integrated into the items and are therefore not visible from the outside. They contain information about the bag that cannot be altered or copied. Data contained in the microchip includes, for example, the name of the item and the materials used. This information is only accessible to Louis Vuitton and can be scanned in a Louis Vuitton boutique. Don't worry, no personal customer data is stored on the microchips.
ATTENTION: Exceptions are, for example, Mini Pochette Accessoires bags or Speedy Nano. These still have a datacode.
How do I read a Louis Vuitton date code?
Most Louis Vuitton date codes consist of letters and numbers – the letters indicate the country of manufacture, while the numbers indicate the month or year of manufacture.
Since March 2021
No more date codes (microchip inside the bag). You can find out how to read this yourself further down in the text.
2007 to March 2021
Two letters followed by four numbers. The first two letters represent the factory location. The first and third numbers represent the week of the year, and the second and fourth numbers represent the year.
This Louis Vuitton date code shows that the bag was manufactured in the 32nd calendar week of 2017 in France (AR).
1990 to 2006
Two letters followed by four numbers. The first two letters represent the factory location. The first and third numbers represent the month, and the second and fourth numbers represent the year.
This Louis Vuitton date code shows that the bag was manufactured in November 2005 in France (AR).
Approx. 1980 to 1989
Three or four numbers followed by two letters. The first two numbers represent the year, the next numbers represent the month. The last two letters represent the factory location.
In this example, the bag was manufactured in October 1988 in France.
Early 80s
Three or four numbers, with the first two numbers representing the year and the last numbers representing the month.
This bag was manufactured in June 1982. No location is specified.
Louis Vuitton RFID Chip
UPDATE 28.08.2023:
We are receiving the first bags with incorrect chips installed! Photo below.
Update June 2026
Attention RFID Chip Louis Vuitton
The chip is no longer a guarantee of authenticity; good fakes are now equipped with the same chip that Louis Vuitton uses. Therefore, extreme caution is advised even with second-hand dealers. These good fakes often come with a manipulated invoice. Very often the invoice is from Oberpollinger Munich or KaDeWe in Berlin!
Since March 2021, Louis Vuitton bags have only had a chip embedded in the bag, sewn into the fabric and thus not visible. However, you can check whether a chip is sewn in or not – you can download a free app to your phone, such as "NFC Tools."
You open this app and slowly move your phone along the entire bag (often the CHIP is embedded near the "Made in" label).
The serial number changes repeatedly and varies, even on original handbags. Unfortunately, currently only Louis Vuitton can read the information from the chip.
Once the chip is found, you will get an entry that looks like this:
Authentic Louis Vuitton RFID Chip
Fake Louis Vuitton RFID Chip
Here, the chip manufacturer, as well as the technology, differs from the original.
Louis Vuitton Date Code Table
To help you determine the origin of your Louis Vuitton bag, the following table lists the codes for Louis Vuitton factory locations. These should match the information on the bag if it is not a fake.
| Place of Manufacture | Code |
| Germany | LP, OL |
| France | A0, A1, A2, AA, AAS (special order), AH, AN, AR, AS, BA, BJ, BU, DR, DU, DR, DT, CO, CT, CX, ET, FL, LA, LW, MB, ML, MI, NO, RA, RI, SA, SD, SF, SL, SN, SP, SR, TA, TJ, TH, TN, TR, TS, VI, VX |
| Italy | BC, BO, CE, FN, FO, MA, NZ, OB, PL, RC, RE, SA, TD |
| Switzerland | DI, FA |
| Spain | CA, UB, LO, LB, LM, LW, GI |
| USA | FC, FH, LA, OS, SD, FL, TX |
We are constantly looking for well-preserved Louis Vuitton models. Save yourself the hassle of classified ads.
Sell your bag directly to usIf you are still unsure whether your Louis Vuitton handbag is authentic, or if you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us or commission our Louis Vuitton authentication, or the digital Louis Vuitton authenticity check. You can also purchase our authenticated handbags with authenticity certificates in our shop.