Louis Vuitton Date Codes Explained: How to Read Your LV Bag's Code

If you've ever looked inside a Louis Vuitton bag and found a string of letters and numbers, you've probably wondered: What does this code mean? Is it a serial number? Can it tell me when my bag was made? And does having a valid date code prove my Louis Vuitton bag is authentic?

The short answer is: a Louis Vuitton date code can provide valuable information about a bag's production, but it is not proof of authenticity.

Louis Vuitton changed its date-code system several times over the decades, and the transition to embedded RFID technology around 2021 created even more confusion for pre-owned buyers and sellers.

Here's how the system works — and what you should actually look for.

What Is a Louis Vuitton Date Code?

A Louis Vuitton date code is a combination of letters and numbers that was used to identify information about an item's manufacturing location and production date.

Importantly, it is not a unique serial number.

Multiple Louis Vuitton items can have the same date code, so finding a code that looks legitimate doesn't establish that the particular bag in your hands is authentic.

Think of a date code as one piece of the authentication puzzle — not the answer to the puzzle.

Louis Vuitton Date Codes by Era

The format changed over time, so the first step in decoding a date code is determining which era your bag belongs to.

Pre-1980s: No Date Code

Very early Louis Vuitton pieces may not have a date code at all. So if you're evaluating a vintage Louis Vuitton item and can't find a code, that fact alone does not mean the item is counterfeit. Authentication of older pieces depends much more heavily on construction, materials, hardware, markings, provenance, and other characteristics.

1980–1989: Early Date-Code Formats

Louis Vuitton introduced date codes in the early 1980s, and the format changed several times throughout the decade. Early codes used three or four numbers to indicate the production year and month. As the decade progressed, two-letter manufacturing-location codes were added, and the placement of those letters varied by production period.

Example: A code such as 836 can indicate June 1983. Other 1980s formats may look different, so the exact arrangement of the numbers and letters matters.

This is one reason you should never decode an older Louis Vuitton bag without considering its approximate production era.

1990–2006: Month + Year

From approximately 1990 through 2006, Louis Vuitton commonly used two letters + four numbers. The letters identify the manufacturing location, while the four numbers are read in an alternating pattern:

• 1st + 3rd digits = month
• 2nd + 4th digits = year

Example: VI1025

• VI → factory/location code
• 1 + 2 → December
• 0 + 5 → 2005

So the code indicates a production date of December 2005.

Important: Don't read 1025 as "October 25." The digits are interleaved. That's one of the most common mistakes people make when trying to decode an LV date code.

2007–Early 2021: Week + Year

Louis Vuitton changed the system again around 2007. The format remained two letters + four numbers, but the meaning of the numbers changed. Instead of month/year, the digits represent:

• 1st + 3rd digits = production week
• 2nd + 4th digits = production year

Example: SP4109

• SP → manufacturing location
• 4 + 0 → week 40
• 1 + 9 → 2019

So the code indicates production during week 40 of 2019.

This distinction is critical. A code that might look perfectly reasonable under the old system can produce a completely different interpretation under the newer system. Always determine the era before decoding the numbers.

What Happened to Louis Vuitton Date Codes in 2021?

Beginning around March 2021, Louis Vuitton phased out traditional visible date codes in favor of embedded RFID technology in many products. As a result, newer authentic pieces generally will not have the traditional stamped date code found in older bags.

So if your newer Louis Vuitton bag has no visible date code — don't automatically assume it's fake.

A missing traditional date code can be completely normal for a newer piece.

And this creates an important authentication lesson:

A missing date code doesn't automatically mean fake — and a valid-looking date code doesn't automatically mean authentic.

What Are Louis Vuitton Factory Codes?

The letters appearing in many Louis Vuitton date codes are commonly referred to as factory codes or manufacturing location codes. They can provide information about where an item was produced.

But there's an important catch: factory-code lists found online aren't always as simple as they appear. Certain letter combinations have been associated with different manufacturing locations or periods, and factory coding has changed over time. Some codes have also been used across more than one country or facility.

That's why we don't recommend looking at a two-letter code and declaring: "That factory code means it's fake." The code has to make sense in the context of the entire item.

Where Is the Louis Vuitton Date Code Located?

The location varies by model, material, lining, and production era. Depending on the piece, a date code may be found:

• On a leather tab
• Stamped directly into the lining
• Inside a pocket
• Along a seam
• On another interior leather component

Older or heavily used pieces can have codes that are faded, difficult to see, or worn away. A missing or illegible code should therefore be considered one observation — not an automatic verdict.

Can a Louis Vuitton Date Code Prove Authenticity?

No.

This is the most important thing to understand. Counterfeiters can copy legitimate-looking date codes. A fake Louis Vuitton bag can have:

• A valid-looking factory code
• A plausible production date
• Correct-looking numbers
• A code that corresponds to the claimed country

That doesn't make the bag authentic. This is why date-code websites and online "LV code checkers" should never be treated as an authentication service.

A date code can tell you: "Does this production information make sense?"

It cannot tell you: "Is this bag definitely authentic?"

What If the Date Code Doesn't Match the Bag?

A code that appears inconsistent with the bag's model, materials, manufacturing period, or other characteristics can be a red flag. But even then, you need context. Louis Vuitton items can have differences related to:

• Production era
• Model variations
• Factory location
• Repairs or re-lining
• Replacement components
• Transitional manufacturing periods

So don't make a definitive authenticity determination from the date code alone.

The Biggest Mistakes People Make With LV Date Codes

• ❌ "The date code is correct, so the bag is authentic." — Not necessarily.
• ❌ "There's no date code, so the bag is fake." — Not necessarily, especially with newer pieces.
• ❌ "The factory code doesn't match the country, so it's fake." — Factory coding is more complicated than many online charts suggest.
• ❌ "The date code says the right year, so I'm safe." — A counterfeit can carry a copied legitimate-looking code.
• ❌ "The code is the same as another LV bag, so one must be fake." — Date codes aren't unique serial numbers.

How We Use Date Codes at New Digz

At New Digz, a date code is one piece of information — not our authentication process. Our experienced team is the first line of defense, evaluating the bag's construction, materials, hardware, markings, and overall consistency.

But we don't stop there. We take the extra step by leveraging professional authentication services to provide an additional layer of verification and confidence for our consignors and customers.

We use Entrupy, which combines advanced technology with expert analysis, and Real Authentication, an expert human authentication service. All authenticated luxury items are backed by our 100% money-back guarantee. Customers who wish to receive an authentication certificate may request one for an additional fee.

That's why we don't rely on a date code — or any single detail — to determine whether a Louis Vuitton bag is authentic.

Have a Louis Vuitton Date Code You Can't Figure Out?

If you've found a code inside your LV bag and aren't sure what it means, use the information above to determine the era and format first. But remember: decoding a date code is not the same thing as authenticating a Louis Vuitton bag.

If you need a professional determination, New Digz offers authentication services even if you're not consigning your item with us.

Shopping for a Pre-Owned Louis Vuitton?

Every Louis Vuitton piece in our collection has been authenticated by our team. Shop our current selection — and check back often, as new pieces arrive regularly.

Thinking of Consigning Your Louis Vuitton?

If you have an authentic Louis Vuitton bag you're ready to part with, we'd love to help you get the most from it. Our team handles authentication, pricing, and finding the right buyer — so you don't have to.

Want to Learn How to Authenticate the Whole Bag?

A date code is just one small piece of the puzzle. For a complete look at what to examine — including monogram patterns, stitching, hardware, materials, interior stamping, and construction — read our complete guide: How to Authenticate a Louis Vuitton Bag.

And for a broader guide to spotting fakes across all designer brands: The Ultimate Guide to Authentic Designer Bags: How to Spot Fakes & Buy Luxury Handbags With Confidence.

The information in this post is intended for educational purposes only. New Digz Consignment makes no guarantee that following these guidelines will result in a definitive authentication determination. When in doubt, always consult a qualified authentication professional before making a purchase or consignment decision.