Louis Vuitton Date Code Checker

With our free Louis Vuitton date code checker, you can learn more about the age and origin of your Louis Vuitton product. Find the code and enter it into the search without any spaces between the numbers and letters.

The Evolution of Louis Vuitton Date Codes

Louis Vuitton date stamps are also a tool for verifying authenticity. Over the years, however, the date codes have changed significantly. Let's take a look at this fascinating evolution:

Louis Vuitton began using date codes in the early 1980s. Models from before that time can be purchased without such a code. When first introduced, the date codes were quite simple in structure. They consisted of three numbers, with the first two numbers indicating the year and the third number indicating the month.
For example, the code "851" indicated manufacturing in the 1st quarter of 1985. Over the following decades, the structure of the date codes changed significantly, as shown in the following overview. From 1989 onwards, the date code format was changed.

Here, "J" stands for the production year, "W" for the week, "M" for the month, Q for the quarter, and "L" for the manufacturing country.

3 numbers: YYQ (Example: 851 – 1st quarter 1985)
2 letters and 3 numbers: LLYQ (Example: MI874 – France, 4th quarter 1987)
3 numbers and 2 letters: YYQLL (Example: 862 RA – France, 2nd quarter 1986)
2 letters and 4 numbers: LLYYXX (Example: VI8907 – France, July 1989)
4 numbers and 2 letters: YYXXLL (Example: 8901 A2 – France, January 1989)

In the 1990s, there was a significant change in the structure of the date codes. The two letters at the beginning indicate the manufacturing facility. The numbers 1 and 3 stand for the month, and 2 and 4 for the year. A code like "MB0951" meant that the product was made in May 1991 in France.

From 2007, Louis Vuitton established a format with two letters and four numbers for its date codes, and this format remained in use until around 2021. For example, the code MB1159 indicated that the product was manufactured in the 15. calendar week of 2019 in France.

In March 2021, Louis Vuitton introduced another significant change. The brand largely decided to discontinue the use of date codes and instead switch to microchips (NFT) that can be read by staff in Louis Vuitton stores. This step was taken mainly to increase protection against counterfeiting. Nevertheless, it's worth noting that some newly introduced products still use date codes based on the previous system.

What are Louis Vuitton Date Codes?

The date codes used by Louis Vuitton are small stamps or engravings found on the inside of bags, wallets, purses, and other products from the brand. These codes typically consist of a combination of letters and numbers that provide information about the product's manufacturing. Each date code is unique and can give you valuable information about the age and manufacturing location of your Louis Vuitton item.

Where can I find the Louis Vuitton date code?

You need to look a bit more carefully. The imprint is often found in corners, on edges, or on tabs – it was pressed into the leather or lining with a metal stamp. On older bags, some numbers can be hard to read. If this is the case, you can first estimate the number and then enter various code variations in the date checker. Alternatively, it can help to take a photo of the code and then enlarge it. Here are some examples: