Louis Vuitton Authentication Guide & Date Codes

Louis Vuitton products have a series of letters and numbers contained in there products for identification. Most people refer to this as aserial number, but it’s actually a date code. Louis Vuitton date codes, are used to identify the location of manufacture, and the date it was produced. The date codes are typically found on a separate tag, or heat stamped directly onto the interior trim or lining of a bag. These codes are not used in any way to verify the authenticity of Louis Vuitton products. The letters in the date code represent the country of manufacture, and the series of numbers represents the date of manufacture. Please review the notes below in identifying your Louis Vuitton’s date code.

Prior to early 1980s. No date codes.
Early 1980s.
Three or four numbers with the first two numbers representing the year and last number(s) representing the month. E.g. “836” would indicate a manufacturing date of June, 1983.

Early to late 1980s.

Three or four numbers followed by two letters with the first two numbers representing the year, the next number(s) representing the month and the last two letters representing the country (see right sidebar for factory location codes). E.g. “874VX” would indicate a manufacturing date of April, 1987 and factory location in France. Late in the 1980s, the letters representing the factory location came before the three or four numbers representing the manufacturing date.

1990 to 2006.

Two letters followed by four numbers with the first two letters representing the factory location, the first and third numbers representing the month and the second and forth numbers representing the year. For example, “VI1025” would indicate a factory location in France and a manufacturing date of December, 2005.
2007 and newer.

Two letters followed by four numbers with the first two letters representing the factory location, the first and third numbers representing the week of the year, and the second and forth numbers representing the year. For example, “SD2057” would indicate a factory location of USA and a manufacturing date of the 25 week (or May) of 2007
Keep in mind that the fact that an item has a date code does not guarantee that it’s authentic since many counterfeit items have date codes. A valid and properly stamped date code is just one of many parameters that are checked to guarantee the authenticity of a Louis Vuitton handbag.

Authentic Handbags with No Date Code?

Authentic Louis Vuitton handbags with alcantara linings may have date codes that are very hard to read or have disappeared altogether. This is sometimes the case for older bags or if the bags have had their linings cleaned. Find out more about this historical brand in our Louis Vuitton Information Guide.

Samples of date code embossed on tag inside handbag a Louis Vuitton

handbag

Louis Vuitton Factory Location Codes