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.
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Look Up & Decode Your Louis Vuitton Date Code
Have a Louis Vuitton date code? Enter it below to see what the code can tell you about the item's production period and manufacturing location.
A date code can help interpret production information, but it does not prove that a Louis Vuitton item is authentic. Authentication requires evaluating the item as a whole, including materials, construction, hardware, stitching, markings, and other details.
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.
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, 1+2=December, 0+5=2005 → December 2005.
2007–Early 2021: Week + Year
Louis Vuitton changed the system again around 2007. The format remained two letters + four numbers, but the digits now represent:
- 1st + 3rd digits = production week
- 2nd + 4th digits = production year
Example: SP4109 — SP factory, 4+0=week 40, 1+9=2019 → Week 40 of 2019.
How to Read a Louis Vuitton Date Code
Louis Vuitton has used several different date-code formats over the years. Understanding the format is important because the same numbers can mean different things depending on when the item was produced.
Start With the Format
First, look at the entire code—not just the numbers. Some Louis Vuitton date codes contain numbers only, while others combine letters and numbers. The order of the characters matters.
How the Code Is Applied
The date code may be stamped directly into the lining, embossed onto a leather tab, stamped along an interior seam, inside an interior pocket, or on or near a leather attachment or D-ring. The exact appearance and location can vary by style, material, and production period.
One More Important Detail
A date code can help determine whether the production information appears consistent with the item's style and claimed production period. It cannot, by itself, establish authenticity.
Where to Find Your Louis Vuitton Date Code
Louis Vuitton date codes are usually stamped somewhere inside the item, but the exact location varies by style, material, and production period. On many handbags, you'll find the code on a small leather tab sewn into an interior seam, inside a pocket, beneath a flap, or stamped directly onto the lining.
Common Louis Vuitton Date-Code Locations
| Louis Vuitton Style | Common Date-Code Location |
|---|---|
| Speedy | Interior leather tab/pocket area |
| Neverfull | Interior pocket/tab area |
| Alma | Interior leather tab or lining |
| Keepall | Interior area/seam |
| Galliera | Interior pocket/seam area |
| Pochette Accessoires | Interior pocket/lining |
| Pochette Métis | Interior area/seam |
| Noé | Interior area/seam |
| Zippy Wallet | Interior lining/seam area |
Louis Vuitton Factory Codes: What Do the Letters Mean?
Many Louis Vuitton date codes include two letters associated with the manufacturing facility. For example, in SD1002, the SD represents the factory code.
Common Louis Vuitton Factory Codes by Country
| Country | Common Factory Codes |
|---|---|
| France | A0, A1, A2, AA, AH, AN, AR, AS, BA, BJ, BU, CO, CT, DR, DU, ET, FL, LA, LW, MB, MI, NO, RA, RI, SA, SD, SF, SL, SN, SP, SR, TH, TJ, TR, TS, VI, VX |
| Italy | BC, BO, CE, FO, MA, NZ, OB, PL, RC, RE, SA, TD |
| Spain | BC, CA, GI, LB, LM, LO, LW, UB |
| United States | FC, FH, FL, LA, OS, SD, TX |
| Switzerland | DI, FA |
| Germany | LP, OL |
Important: This is a reference guide, not an official Louis Vuitton factory-code list. Some letter combinations have been associated with more than one country or production period.
Check the "Made In" Stamp, Too
A factory-code lookup should always be considered alongside the item's "Made in" marking. And remember: a valid factory code can be copied.
Can a Louis Vuitton Date Code Prove Authenticity?
No. Counterfeiters can copy legitimate-looking date codes. A fake Louis Vuitton bag can have a valid-looking factory code, a plausible production date, and correct-looking numbers. A date code can tell you: "Does this production information make sense?" — it cannot tell you: "Is this bag definitely authentic?"
Want to learn what else to look for? Read our guide to How to Authenticate a Louis Vuitton Bag.
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. Newer authentic pieces generally will not have the traditional stamped date code. A missing date code can be completely normal for a newer piece.
A missing date code doesn't automatically mean fake — and a valid-looking date code doesn't automatically mean authentic.
What If the Date Code Doesn't Match the Bag?
A code that appears inconsistent with the bag's model, materials, or manufacturing period can be a red flag — but don't make a definitive authenticity determination from the date code alone. Louis Vuitton items can have differences related to production era, model variations, factory location, repairs, replacement components, and transitional manufacturing periods.
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. We leverage professional authentication services including Entrupy and Real Authentication. All authenticated luxury items are backed by our 100% money-back guarantee. Customers may request an anonymous authentication certificate for an additional fee.
Have a Louis Vuitton Date Code You Can't Figure Out?
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. Read our complete guide: How to Authenticate a Louis Vuitton Bag. And for a broader guide: The Ultimate Guide to Authentic Designer Bags: How to Spot Fakes & Buy Luxury Handbags With Confidence.
Louis Vuitton Date Code FAQ
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How do I look up a Louis Vuitton date code?
Enter the complete date code into the New Digz Louis Vuitton Date Code Calculator at the top of this page.
How do I decode a Louis Vuitton date code?
Start by identifying the format and production era. Louis Vuitton changed its date-code system over the years, so the numbers cannot always be read the same way.
Is a Louis Vuitton date code the same as a serial number?
Not exactly. Louis Vuitton date codes provide production information rather than serve as unique identification numbers. Multiple items can have the same date code.
What does a 2007 Louis Vuitton date code mean?
Codes from the 2007–2021 format use four numbers where the first and third digits indicate the production week and the second and fourth digits indicate the production year. For example, 2179 = week 27 of 2019.
Where can I find the date code on a Louis Vuitton bag?
Common locations include an interior leather tab, pocket area, lining, seam, or leather attachment. See the table above for popular styles.
What if I can't find a Louis Vuitton date code?
Check interior seams, pockets, leather tabs, and less-visible areas carefully. Also note that Louis Vuitton phased out visible date codes around 2021 — a newer item without one is not automatically a concern.
Do Louis Vuitton bags made after 2021 have date codes?
Louis Vuitton began phasing out visible stamped date codes around 2021 and moved toward embedded identification technology. The absence of a visible date code on a newer item does not establish that it is authentic or counterfeit.
What do the letters in a Louis Vuitton date code mean?
The letters are associated with the manufacturing facility. They should be treated as a reference point rather than proof of authenticity.
Can a Louis Vuitton date code prove authenticity?
No. Counterfeit items can contain copied or correctly formatted date codes. Professional authentication considers the entire item.
Can two Louis Vuitton bags have the same date code?
Yes. The same code can appear on more than one item, so a matching date code does not establish authenticity.
Can I use a Louis Vuitton date code to determine the exact production date?
Not always. A date code generally provides a production period (month/year or week/year) rather than an exact date.
What does "LV date code lookup" mean?
It's the process of entering or interpreting a date code to determine production period and manufacturing information. Remember: a lookup is not the same thing as authentication.
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.
Got Questions? Let’s talk about it!
Have a question about Louis Vuitton date codes, authentication, or something you spotted on your bag? Drop it in the comments below. 👇🏾
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