When investing in a preloved Louis Vuitton bag, one of the most important steps is verifying its authenticity. One helpful tool in this process is the date code.
In this post, we’ll guide you through how to read and understand these date codes, helping you to make wise investment in your luxury collection.
Louis Vuitton date codes are a set of characters stamped on various parts of the bag, indicating when and where the bag was made.
Louis Vuitton has used different formats for date codes over the years. Here’s a breakdown of the most common formats:
Pre-1980s
Before the early 1980s, Louis Vuitton bags did not have date codes.
1980s
In the early 1980s, Louis Vuitton started using three or four-digit codes, representing the year and month of production. For example: 825 was made in May 1982.
Late 1980s to Early 1990s
During this period, Louis Vuitton switched to a different format with two letters followed by four numbers. The letters represent the factory location, while the first and third numbers indicate the month, and the second and fourth numbers indicate the year. For example SR 8742 was made in France in April 1987.
1990s to 2006
The format changed slightly to better reflect the production date. The two letters represent the factory location, while the first and third numbers indicate the week of the year, and the second and fourth numbers indicate the year. For example CA 1004 was made in Spain, on the 10th week of 2007.
2007 to Present time
The format of the numbering system was changed again in 2007. The week is now represented instead of the month of manufacturing. After the country code letters, the first and third number indicate the week, and the second and fourth number indicate the year. For example SP 2067 was made in France, on the 26th of 2007.
Here are some common factory location codes to help you identify where your Louis Vuitton bag was made:
France: A0, A1, A2, AA, AAS (Special Order), AH, AN, AR, AS, BA, BE, BJ, BU, DR, DU, CO, CT, ET, FL, LM (2019 onwards), LA (2019 onwards) LW, MB, MI, NO, RA, RI, SA, SD, SF, SL, SN, SP, SR, TJ, TH, TR, TS, TY, VI, VX
Germany: LP
Italy: BC, BO, CE, FO, MA, PL, RC, RE, SA, TB, TD, NZ
Spain: BC (2015 onwards), CA, JJ (mostly straps), LO, LB, LM, LW, GI, UB
Switzerland: DI, FA
USA: FC, FH, LA, OS, SD, TX, FL
Date codes can be found in different places depending on the bag style:
• Speedy: On a leather tab inside the interior pocket or along the seam
• Neverfull: Inside the pocket or along the lining
• Alma: Inside the pocket or along the lining
Understanding Louis Vuitton date codes is an essential skill for any luxury bag enthusiast. While date codes are helpful, always remember to consider other factors of authenticity. When in doubt, consult with an expert.
Buying used designer goods from Japan online is also one of the safest ways to avoid being sold counterfeit items.
Stay tuned for more tips and guides on buying and caring for your preloved luxury items!