Louis Vuitton Date Code Decoder
Type the code stamped inside the bag. You’ll get the factory country, the production month or week, and whether the format fits — in your browser, nothing is sent anywhere.
Updated
A code that decodes cleanly only means the format is plausible. Counterfeiters copy real codes — check stitching, hardware, canvas and heat stamp too, or use a professional authenticator.
Date code formats by era
| Era | Format | Example | Reads as |
|---|---|---|---|
| Before early 1980s | No date code | — | — |
| Early 1980s | 3–4 digits: year, month | 834 | April 1983 |
| Late 1980s | 3–4 digits + factory letters | 861VI | January 1986, France |
| 1990–2006 | Letters + 4 digits: M Y M Y | SP0046 | April 2006, France |
| 2007–early 2021 | Letters + 4 digits: W Y W Y | AR2179 | Week 27 of 2019, France |
| From 2021 | Embedded NFC chip, no code | — | Read by LV only |
How to find and read the code
- Find the stamp. Look inside interior pockets, along the top seam of the lining, under flaps or on a small leather tab. Use a phone torch at a low angle.
- Copy it exactly. Letters first on modern bags (for example SP0046), digits first on late-1980s bags (861VI).
- Interleave the digits. Take the 1st and 3rd digits together and the 2nd and 4th together. The second pair is the year.
- Match it to the bag. The date must be after the model was introduced, and the country should agree with the “made in” heat stamp.
Factory letters by country
These are the factory letters most often reported by authentication references. Louis Vuitton doesn’t publish the list, a few codes appear under two countries, and workshops have opened and closed over the decades.
France
A0, A1, A2, AA, AAS, AH, AN, AR, AS, BA, BJ, BU, CT, DR, DU, DT, ET, FL, LW, MB, MI, NO, RA, RI, SD, SF, SL, SN, SP, SR, TA, TH, TJ, TN, TR, TS, VI, VX
United States
FC, FH, LA, OS, SD, FL, TX
Spain
CA, LO, LB, LM, LW, GI, UB
Italy
BC, BO, CE, FO, MA, NZ, OB, PL, RC, RE, SA, TD
Germany
LP, OL
Switzerland
DI, FA
What a date code can’t tell you
A date code doesn’t identify an individual bag — many bags from the same workshop and week share one — and it says nothing about authenticity on its own. For the physical checks, read how to spot a fake Louis Vuitton and date codes vs serial numbers, or browse the full Designer Bag Guide.
Frequently asked questions
How do I read a Louis Vuitton date code?
For codes from 2007 to early 2021, the letters are the factory, the 1st and 3rd digits are the week, and the 2nd and 4th digits are the year. For 1990–2006 codes, the 1st and 3rd digits are the month instead. AR2179 is week 27 of 2019, made in France.
Where is the date code on a Louis Vuitton bag?
Usually stamped on a small leather tab or directly into the leather inside a pocket, along an interior seam or under a flap. It can be faint and hard to find; the location varies by model.
Does a valid date code mean my Louis Vuitton is real?
No. Counterfeiters copy genuine codes. A code is only useful when its format, factory and date fit the model, materials and hardware of that bag.
Why doesn’t my new Louis Vuitton have a date code?
Louis Vuitton began replacing date codes with embedded NFC microchips in 2021. Bags made since then have no printed code, and the chip can’t be read meaningfully with a phone.
Are Louis Vuitton bags made in the USA or Spain fake?
Not necessarily. Louis Vuitton has long operated workshops in France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Switzerland and the United States. The heat stamp and code should agree on the country.
Sources and further reading
- Louis Vuitton — Wikipedia
- Fake Goods, Real Dangers — U.S. Customs and Border Protection
- Counterfeit consumer goods — Wikipedia
Links checked September 14, 2026.