Louis Vuitton Date Code: How to Read It, Where to Find It & Era-by-Era Format Guide
Table of Contents
- What Is a Louis Vuitton Date Code — and How Is It Different from a Serial Number?
- Where Is the Date Code? Location by Model Type
- How to Read a Louis Vuitton Date Code: Era-by-Era Guide
- Factory Code Reference: All Countries and Codes
- Is a Date Code Proof of Authenticity? What You Need to Know
- Shop Authenticated Pre-Loved Louis Vuitton at Brand Street Tokyo
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Is a Louis Vuitton Date Code — and How Is It Different from a Serial Number?
Louis Vuitton does not use serial numbers — the kind that uniquely identify a single item — the way many other brands do. What Louis Vuitton stamps into its products is a date code. A date code does not identify your specific bag; it identifies the factory that made it and the month or week of production. Multiple pieces made at the same factory during the same period will carry the identical code. This distinction matters: a date code is not proof of authenticity. It is the first step in authentication, not the final word. Confirming authenticity requires checking several details together.
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Where Is the Date Code? Location by Model Type
The date code location varies by model. Here is where to look, broken down by bag type and Small Leather Goods.
Bags: Where to Find the Date Code
On most bags, the date code is stamped on a leather tab sewn into an interior pocket, or near the seam of the interior lining. For the Neverfull and Speedy, check the underside of the interior hanging pocket. On models with an Alcantara lining, the code is stamped directly onto the lining rather than a separate tab — and because Alcantara tends to fade over time, the code can be difficult to read on older pieces. If you cannot locate it immediately, inspect the full interior in good light.
Wallets and Small Leather Goods: Where to Find the Date Code
On wallets and Small Leather Goods, the date code is usually stamped near the side seam of the bill compartment or a slip pocket. On smaller pieces, the stamp tends to be lighter. Use a loupe in good light to read it clearly.
How to Read a Louis Vuitton Date Code: Era-by-Era Guide
Louis Vuitton has used several different date code formats over the decades. The format on your piece depends on when it was made. Here is how to read each era.
2007–Present: Week and Year Format
Date codes from 2007 onward follow a two-letter, four-digit format. The first two letters are the factory code, indicating the country of manufacture. Reading the four digits requires an alternating pattern: the 1st and 3rd digits together give the production week; the 2nd and 4th digits together give the production year.
Example: MB3067
- MB = France
- 1st digit "3" + 3rd digit "6" = Week 36
- 2nd digit "0" + 4th digit "7" = 2007
→ Made in France, Week 36 of 2007
The alternating read is counterintuitive — take care not to read the digits in sequence.
1990–2006: Month and Year Format
Date codes from 1990 to 2006 use the same two-letter, four-digit structure as the 2007-onward format, and the four digits are read the same alternating way. The only difference is that the first pair gives the production month (01 to 12) instead of the week. The two letters are the factory code. Combine the 1st and 3rd digits for the month, and the 2nd and 4th digits for the year.
Example: FL0012
- FL = France or USA (this factory code was used by both)
- 1st digit "0" + 3rd digit "1" = 01 = January
- 2nd digit "0" + 4th digit "2" = 02 = 2002
→ Made in France or the USA, January 2002
Note: the digits alternate, just like post-2007 codes, so it is easy to misread them in sequence. Always pair the 1st and 3rd digits, then the 2nd and 4th.
1980s–Early 1990s: Digits Only, Then Digits + Letters
Louis Vuitton introduced date codes in 1982, and the format changed several times during the decade. The earliest codes were just three or four digits, with the first two digits giving the year and the last digit giving the month. For example, the "893" stamped on this bag reads as "89" for 1989 and "3" for March, meaning it was made in March 1989. From the mid-to-late 1980s, a two-letter factory code was added after the digits. For example, "882 VI" reads as "88" for 1988, "2" for February, and "VI" for France. This was the first appearance of the two-letter factory code that became the basis for the modern date code.
Pre-1980 Vintage: No Date Code
Louis Vuitton pieces made before 1980 do not have date codes. On older items, age-related wear can also make a code illegible even when one was originally stamped.
One exception to note: Special Order (SPO) pieces — items made to order for VIP clients — can carry date codes that do not follow the standard era rules. Examples include codes such as AAS42053 and S22982. Because SPO pieces are produced under different manufacturing controls, their codes may not match the format you would expect for that period.
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Factory Code Reference: All Countries and Codes
The first two letters of any Louis Vuitton date code identify the manufacturing country and factory. These letters must match the "Made in" country on the Heat Stamp inside the piece. A mismatch between the factory code and the Heat Stamp is a significant red flag in authentication.
- France: A0, A1, A2, AA, AH, AN, AR, AS, BA, BJ, BU, DR, DU, CO, CT, ET, FL, LW, MB, MI, NO, RA, RI, SD, SF, SL, SN, SP, SR, TJ, TH, TR, TS, VI, VX
- Italy: BC, BO, CE, FO, MA, RC, RE, SA, TD
- Spain: CA, GI, LO, LB, LM, LW
- USA: FC, FH, FL, LA, OS, SD
- Switzerland: DI, FA
- Germany: LP, OL
Note: Louis Vuitton periodically updates its manufacturing locations. This list reflects currently documented codes and may not be exhaustive.
Is a Date Code Proof of Authenticity? What You Need to Know
A date code is the first step in authentication — not proof of authenticity on its own. Sophisticated counterfeits can carry date codes in the correct format. The code tells you where and when a piece was made; it cannot confirm the piece is genuine.
Three date code red flags to check:
- Format mismatch: the code format does not match the claimed production era (for example, a piece described as 1975 vintage carrying a post-2007 format)
- Factory code vs. Heat Stamp mismatch: the two-letter factory code does not match the "Made in" country on the Heat Stamp
- Incorrect stamp location: the code is not in the standard position for that model
Authentication requires checking the date code alongside stitching consistency, hardware weight and engraving precision, material quality, and Heat Stamp font. No single element is conclusive on its own.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do all Louis Vuitton bags have a date code?
Products made from 1982 onward carry a date code. Vintage pieces made before 1980 do not. On older items, age-related wear can make a code illegible even when one was originally present. For pieces produced from March 2021 onward, some newer models have moved away from stamped date codes in favor of embedded RFID chips or embroidered tags.
How do I verify a Louis Vuitton date code?
Check three things:
(1) Does the format match the production era? Post-2007 codes use a factory code (2 letters) plus an alternating week-and-year digit pattern.
(2) Does the factory code match the "Made in" country on the Heat Stamp? A mismatch is a red flag.
(3) Is the stamp in the standard location for that model?
Keep in mind: a date code alone cannot confirm authenticity. Stitching, hardware, material quality, and Heat Stamp font all need to be assessed together.
Did Louis Vuitton ever use a format with 3 digits and 2 letters?
Yes. Louis Vuitton used a three-to-four digit plus two-letter format during the mid-to-late 1980s. For example, 882 VI indicates February 1988, made in France. This was the era when factory codes first appeared in the date code — they are the direct origin of the two-letter codes still used today.
How do I check if my Louis Vuitton is authentic?
Start with the date code — check the format, factory code, and stamp location. Then assess: Monogram pattern alignment across seams, stitching consistency, hardware weight and engraving precision, Heat Stamp font, and lining condition. No single checkpoint is conclusive on its own. For complete peace of mind, purchasing from a specialist with Expert Authenticators on staff — such as Brand Street Tokyo — is the most reliable approach.
How to Authenticate Louis Vuitton: 10 Expert Checks
