What Is a Louis Vuitton Date Code?
Louis Vuitton uses "date codes" — not serial numbers — to indicate where and when an item was produced. The code is found on a leather tag inside the bag, on the lining, or inside a pocket. Starting in 2021, date codes were replaced with internal RFID chips.
Date Code Formats by Era
Before 1982
No codes were used. A bag from the 1970s with no code is normal.
1982 – Mid-1980s
3–4 digits. Example: 834 = 1983, April.
Mid–Late 1980s
Factory letters introduced. Example: VI 883 = France (VI), August 1983.
1990–2006
Two letters + four digits. First and third digits = month; second and fourth = year.
Example: SP 1025 → October 2005, France.
2007–Early 2021
Same format, but digits now indicate week and year.
Example: FL 3089 → Week 38 of 2009, France.
After 2021
Date codes discontinued. Authentication data is now in an RFID chip readable only at a boutique. No visible code on new bags is completely normal.
Factory Codes by Country
| Country | Codes |
|---|---|
| France | SP, FL, AR, DU, CT, MB, MI, NO, RI, SD, TH, TR, VI, LM, LA |
| Spain | CA, LO, UB, LB, GI, BC |
| Italy | FO, MA, RC, RE |
| USA | SD, TX, OS, FC, FH |
| Switzerland | FA, DI |
| Germany | LP |
Use our free LV Date Code Checker to instantly decode your bag's factory and production year.
Check My Date Code →Why a Date Code Does Not Prove Authenticity
High-quality fakes copy correct date codes — even matching factory letters and week numbers. Always evaluate leather quality, hardware, stitching, and monogram alignment alongside the code.
Checklist
- Code present and readable (or absent on post-2021 models — normal)
- Format matches the correct era
- Code doesn't conflict with the model's release date
- Country code matches the "Made in…" label
- Bag condition consistent with stated age